Lead Teacher

About the role

For more than 140 years, The Family Partnership has built strong families, vital communities, and better futures for children through counseling, education, and advocacy primarily in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Founded in 1878 as the Minneapolis Humane Society, the organization continually evolves to meet the changing needs of families and individuals, especially the most vulnerable in the community.

At The Family Partnership, you’ll partner with colleagues and the people served, embracing a two‑generation (whole family) approach that helps individuals heal from trauma and move toward greater health and well‑being. The workplace values open communication, transparency, cultural competence, inclusivity, and the opportunity to bring your authentic self to work. Employees are encouraged to share their views, and the organization is known for developing future leaders in the nonprofit sector.

The Family Partnership is seeking two Lead Teachers for Four Directions – one for the Dakota Language Immersion room and one for the Ojibwe Immersion room. Both positions serve preschool‑aged children in a full‑day therapeutic education and care program (ages 6 weeks to 5 years) committed to revitalizing the Dakota and Ojibwe languages. In partnership with Wicoie Nandagikendan, the Lead Teacher supports the Language Immersion Teacher during immersion hours and facilitates daily activities. Outside of immersion programming (afternoons, non‑immersion days, school breaks, and summer months), the Lead Teacher acts as the primary classroom teacher, responsible for lesson planning, curriculum implementation, classroom management, and family engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, stimulating, healthy, and nurturing environment that ensures all children have a positive experience.
• Teach age‑appropriate activities for both group learning and self‑selected play.
• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans and learning opportunities aligned with children’s ages and skill levels.
• Implement the Teaching Strategies curriculum within the classroom.
• Complete child assessments and individual goal setting three times per year, including parents and therapists in the process.
• Supervise and actively participate in children’s daily activities and field trips.
• Ensure constant and appropriate supervision of all children.
• Maintain accurate participant and program records, including required daily notes for each child.
• Participate in parent‑teacher conferences and make referrals based on individual child needs when necessary.
• Clean and disinfect toys, tables, and classroom surfaces; conduct daily safety inspections of play areas, classrooms, and playgrounds.
• Maintain compliance with DHS and CACFP requirements.

Requirements

• Hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification or equivalent Child Development college credits (24).
• Have at least six months of experience working in a childcare setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child development from six weeks through five years of age.
• Understand health and safety precautions, sanitation and cleaning techniques, and emergency response procedures.
• Ability to use effective skills to manage and guide children’s behavior in a supportive and developmentally appropriate way.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population, including parents, children, and other professionals.
• Ability to assist with and participate in outdoor activities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and meet the physical demands required to care for young children.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and general office equipment.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with people of different cultures, groups, and languages.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, plus 10 paid holidays.
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Long‑term disability insurance – employer pays the premiums.
• Employer‑paid basic life insurance with option for additional coverage paid by the employee.
• Voluntary benefits: Accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, short‑term disability insurance.
• TFP sponsors a retirement plan with a tiered vesting schedule based on years of service, plus a 2% employer contribution after one year of service.
• Position eligible for grant‑funded additional compensation (typically up to +$2 per hour).
• As a member of the Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) partnered with St. Mary’s University, employees and their spouses are eligible for:
  • Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice).

Pay

Base wage $23.00 per hour, with eligibility for grant‑funded additional compensation up to +$2 per hour.

Schedule

First (Day) shift.