Lead Teacher

Lower Columbia College · Longview, WA · 3 wk ago

Education$10/hrInternship

About the role

The Head Start/ECEAP program at Lower Columbia College is seeking a Lead Teacher for its Barnes North classroom. This role involves designing an inclusive early learning environment, collaborating with families, and maintaining comprehensive records.

Responsibilities

Carry out a high-quality, center-based program tailored for a classroom of 13–15 preschool children.
Maintain a healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment for children.
Supervise classroom activities and meal times, ensuring direct supervision and safety of all children.
Follow all health and safety policies and procedures established by the program.
Develop lesson plans that integrate mandated elements, parental/cultural influences, and child- or adult-directed activities based on each child's unique strengths and developmental needs.
Record, evaluate, and analyze each child's growth and development to continually adapt activities to their individual needs.
Partner with multi-disciplinary staff to seamlessly integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, and social services for each family.
Meet with parents, staff, and external agencies to develop and review Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP), Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), and individual child goals.
Actively involve parents in classroom, center, and home learning activities, making every effort to communicate in their home language using interpreters.
Maintain strict family and program confidentiality, engage in regular reflective professional practice, and consistently model reliability, initiative, flexibility, and honesty.
Manage and maintain comprehensive case files for each child at the center site.
Submit all required administrative reports on time, including lesson plans, attendance, assessments, supply requests, monthly newsletters, and calendars.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education; or Bachelor degree in related field and AA in Early Childhood Education; or AA in Early Childhood Education and enrolled in a Bachelor program for Early Childhood Education; or willing to enroll in an Early Childhood Bachelor’s degree program and be dedicated to obtaining a degree within 3 years of hire date.
One year of experience teaching in early childhood education, working with children from infancy to grade 3.
Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood milestones and the ability to apply this understanding to support diverse behavioral, emotional, and social needs.
Exceptional flexibility in managing shifting schedules, changing priorities, and dynamic child behaviors, while maintaining a positive, supportive environment.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders.
Prior experience supporting low-income, marginalized, or historically underrepresented populations with empathy and cultural humility.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance instructional duties, administrative reporting, and classroom logistics efficiently under tight timelines.

Qualifications

Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred).
Two years of experience as a Lead Teacher in early childhood education, working with children preschool age (3 to 5).
Proven competence in designing and implementing diverse, age-appropriate learning experiences across early literacy, numeracy, science, language development, storytelling, music, and creative arts.
Prior experience supporting low-income, marginalized, or historically underrepresented populations with empathy and cultural humility.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance instructional duties, administrative reporting, and classroom logistics efficiently under tight timelines.

Benefits

This position offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and a supportive work environment. Salary range is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

This position is full-time, 11.5 months, 40 hours per week, with a schedule of 7:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Pay

The pay for this position is classified as an Early Childhood Program Specialist 3 under Washington State Classification Specifications.

Skills

Effective communication, teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability are essential skills for this role.

Benefits

Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Additional benefits include professional development opportunities, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.