Toddler Lead Teacher

Embark on a deeply fulfilling and impactful journey as a Full‑Time Infant Room Lead Teacher at the YMCA in Rapid City, where your passion for early childhood education will thrive in a nurturing and dynamic environment. In this role, you'll be the driving force behind crafting and implementing a mission‑based, fun, age‑appropriate, and meaningful curriculum that serves to enhance the academic, social, and physical development of each child under your care.

Starting Pay: $18.68 per hour

Salary: $18.68 per hour

Category: Full‑time, non‑exempt

Shift: 40 hours

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5:30 pm

Your responsibilities extend beyond the classroom as you take charge of monthly lesson plans, ensuring a well‑rounded educational experience for our little ones. It's not just about teaching; it's about fostering academic, social, and physical progress for each child. As a leader, you'll actively engage in and train other early learning staff in the YMCA Social and Emotional Curriculum and Conscious Discipline, imparting the skills and knowledge needed to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

At the heart of your role is the evaluation of curriculum effectiveness, measured through portfolio deadlines. You'll be at the forefront of conducting formal and informal evaluations of early learning staff, guiding them toward the achievement of their performance objectives. Your supervision skills will be crucial in ensuring that each member of the team understands and successfully meets their goals.

Safety is paramount at the YMCA, and as a lead teacher, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and security of every child in your care. Beyond safety, you'll also be responsible for maintaining an excellent room appearance, overseeing proper equipment maintenance, and ensuring the efficient use of supplies and materials.

Compliance is key, and you'll fully comply with YMCA safety policies and adhere to state and local codes. As a liaison between parents and the YMCA, you'll develop and maintain positive relations with families, keeping them informed through regular communication and providing a welcoming atmosphere.

Your role extends to financial management as you manage and monitor classroom expenses, contributing to the overall efficiency of the program. Accurate record‑keeping is a cornerstone of your responsibilities, from incident/accident reports to attendance/meal production records. You'll be the source of reliable information for parents and an essential part of the YMCA's commitment to transparency.

In the spirit of the YMCA movement, you'll connect with the broader team through weekly meetings, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Your role includes the distribution of monthly newsletters, keeping parents informed about upcoming events, learning milestones, and program updates. Leveraging technology, you'll use the Pro Care Engage App to provide daily reports to parents, offering a real‑time glimpse into their child's activities and achievements.

As you take on the responsibilities outlined, remember that your contribution goes beyond the classroom – it's about shaping young minds, creating a positive learning environment, and furthering the YMCA movement.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Education and Training

Non‑profit Organizations