Lead teacher

Job Description

Lead Teacher – Early Childhood Education

West Allis Center for Early Education is seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate, and dedicated Lead Teacher to join our educational team. In this important role, you will lead classroom instruction, create engaging learning experiences, and maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment that supports each child’s overall development.

The Lead Teacher will use Brightwheel and Experience Curriculum to plan instruction, document student progress, communicate with families, and support children with a variety of learning styles, developmental needs, and abilities.

This paid position offers a rewarding opportunity to positively influence young children while working alongside families, teaching assistants, administrators, and other professionals.

• Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans using Brightwheel and Experience Curriculum.
• Provide engaging classroom activities that promote literacy, early mathematics, language development, communication skills, creativity, physical development, and social-emotional growth.
• Adapt activities and teaching strategies to support children with developmental delays, disabilities, neurodevelopmental differences, and diverse learning needs.
• Create and maintain a safe, organized, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Use positive guidance and effective behavior-management strategies to support children’s individual needs.
• Observe, assess, and document children’s development, participation, strengths, and areas for continued growth.
• Maintain accurate classroom records, progress notes, assessments, incident reports, attendance information, and family communication through Brightwheel.
• Support children who have Individualized Education Programs, Individualized Family Service Plans, or other developmental support plans, when applicable.
• Collaborate with families, administrators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, and other professionals involved in a child’s care.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with parents and guardians regarding classroom activities, developmental progress, concerns, and strategies for supporting learning at home.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide direction to assistant teachers, classroom aides, and new staff members.
• Ensure classroom routines, lesson plans, transitions, meals, rest periods, and learning activities are completed consistently.
• Follow all center policies, licensing regulations, health and safety procedures, confidentiality requirements, and mandated-reporting responsibilities.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional-development activities, training sessions, and center events.
• Maintain professional relationships with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.

• Previous experience working with children in an early childhood education, childcare, preschool, Head Start, elementary school, or special education setting.
• Experience supporting children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, or diverse learning styles is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, positive guidance, and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Familiarity with lesson planning, classroom assessments, progress documentation, and curriculum implementation.
• Knowledge of Brightwheel, Experience Curriculum, or other educational technology platforms is preferred.
• Ability to modify instruction and classroom activities to meet the individual needs of children.
• Strong classroom-management, organization, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with families, teaching staff, administrators, and outside professionals.
• Early childhood education certification, coursework, credential, degree, or applicable state licensing qualifications are preferred.
• Relevant education and experience may be considered where permitted.
• Must meet all applicable childcare licensing requirements, including required background checks, health documentation, training, and continuing-education requirements.
• CPR and First Aid certification is preferred or must be obtained within the required timeframe.
• Must demonstrate patience, reliability, professionalism, creativity, and a genuine passion for helping children succeed.

At West Allis Center for Early Education, we are committed to creating meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for every child. Our educators receive ongoing support and professional-development opportunities designed to strengthen their skil