Under the direction of the EEC Director, the Lead Teacher role provides an opportunity for experienced educators to develop leadership and administrative skills within the center. The Lead Teacher spends part of each day in the classroom mentoring and coaching teachers to ensure the delivery of engaging, safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Working closely with the Director, the Lead Teacher learns and supports the day-to-day administrative functions essential to center operations, while providing supervision, guidance, and support to teaching staff. The Lead Teacher helps ensure compliance with Early Education Program policies, procedures, and best practices and assumes responsibility for center operations in the absence of the Director and Assistant Director as an active member of the administrative team.
Status: Hourly
Starting Pay Rate: $26.75/ hr, $1500 sign on bonus
Reports To: EEC Director
Reporting Staff: Teacher(s), EEC Support Associates
Core Responsibilities
Demonstrate commitment to Maryvale’s Mission and Vincentian Core Values
Serve as a positive role model with energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism
Support respectful collaboration and effectively meet the needs of children and families.
Apply Trauma-Informed Care principles, recognizing and responding to trauma
Adhere to all safety standards, including Universal Precautions and OSHA regulations.
Essential Duties
Support Maryvale’s Performance and Quality Improvement Plan by participating in program goal-setting, data collection and analysis, and continuous improvement efforts.
Provide leadership, coaching, and classroom support to teaching staff to ensure implementation of the Creative Curriculum, developmentally appropriate lesson planning, and high-quality educational experiences that meet the individual needs of children.
Develop and deliver virtual learning opportunities and educational content to support enrolled children and families. Maryvale retains ownership of all content created for educational or promotional purposes.
Spend time daily in the classroom providing direct support, coaching, and modeling of developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
Support teachers in completing DRDP assessments, child observations, parent conferences, and other required documentation to maintain program compliance and track child development.
Assist with Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments and quality improvement initiatives to ensure classrooms meet or exceed program standards.
Ensure compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, supervision, food program, licensing, and regulatory requirements, including CACFP, Title 5, Title 22, and Maryvale policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized learning environment through daily monitoring of classrooms, facilities, equipment, and safety practices.
Supervise, mentor, train, and support Associates through regular feedback, professional development, recruitment, onboarding, and performance coaching.
Build positive relationships with children, families, and staff through effective communication, enrollment support, parent engagement activities, and family education events.
Maintain accurate and confidential child, family, and employee records in accordance with agency and licensing requirements.
Respond appropriately to incidents, emergencies, and safety concerns, taking immediate action to protect the well-being of children, families, and Associates and completing required reporting.
Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, teamwork, compassion, a commitment to ongoing professional growth & development, and confidentiality at all times.
Maintain a professional growth plan that challenges the Lead Teacher to continue their education within the field of ECE through college coursework, workshops, or other appropriate trainings, working towards a site supervisor level permit with a required 21 hours of professional development annually.
Serve as Center Administrator in the absence of the Director and Assistant Director, assuming responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Early Education Center as assigned.
Perform additional duties as needed.
Qualifications
Must meet Title 22 regulations for a fully qualified teacher including: completion of the 9 core units, 3 units in infant/toddler preferred, 1 year teaching in a Preschool setting.
Complete 3 units of Administration within 1 year of position start date.
Child Development Permit at the Associate Teacher level or higher, with a professional developmental plan in place to obtain a permit at the Site Supervisor level.
Minimum one year of preschool teaching experience; experience within a Maryvale Early Education Center preferred.
Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues while working effectively as part of a team.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, adapt to changing priorities, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements
Frequent walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds
Visual abilities required include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Occasional driving may be required
Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities
The Lead Teacher will come in contact with children who are ill and/or contagious, and must take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, associates, and themselves.
Maryvale offers trauma-informed early childhood education, mental health services, substance use treatment, and housing support that strengthens children and families.
