Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Development Center (Onsite)

This position is a full-time, onsite role located in the William S. White Building on the UM-Flint campus. It is included in the bargaining unit represented by University Staff United (USU).

About the role

The Lead Teacher at the Early Childhood Development Center is responsible for providing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program for children. This includes assessing children's development and individual needs, curriculum planning using the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and building relationships with families, children, interns, and colleagues. The role oversees daily operations, mentors teacher assistants and temporary staff, and ensures the safety and well-being of children at all times. This position reports to the Director of the Early Childhood Education Center.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, healthy learning environment for all children:
  • Promote a welcoming and nurturing classroom environment for children, families, students, faculty, and community members.
  • Perform physical tasks including walking, standing, sitting (on chairs and floor), talking, utilizing child-sized furnishings, running, moving at a brisk pace, and traveling indoors and outdoors on various surfaces.
  • Use hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity for handling objects, tools, computers, and controls; reach with hands and arms.
  • Occasionally climb, balance, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Frequently lift and/or move 10-25 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move 35-50 pounds.
  • Maintain constant awareness and safety of children, respond quickly to emergencies, and follow emergency protocols.
  • Ensure high-quality child care standards as outlined by Great Start to Quality.
  • Administer first aid and medication within policy guidelines.
  • Manage the classroom by maintaining consistency and high expectations for children.
  • Utilize global vision to provide a safe environment for children.
  • Adhere to Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers.
• Build and maintain relationships and communication with families:
  • Foster connections between home, school, and community.
  • Communicate and promote family involvement within the classroom.
• Curriculum planning, implementation, assessment, and documentation:
  • Develop and implement a curriculum promoting physical, social, and cognitive development.
  • Organize and supervise field trips or outside classroom experiences.
  • Provoke ideas and scaffold children’s knowledge through problem-solving, representational work, and conflict resolution.
  • Observe, document, and evaluate children using Ages and Stages Questionnaires, assessments, and portfolios for family/teacher conferences.
  • Conduct meaningful and engaging small/large group activities and projects.
• Collaborate as a team-oriented teacher:
  • Work with co-teachers to provide quality care for children and families, and establish a quality program.
  • Mentor Assistant Teachers and temporary staff while managing and interacting with children.
  • Assist with training staff, interns, and temporary staff in the classroom.
• Administrative tasks:
  • Maintain accurate and timely paperwork for families, children, and staff.
  • Represent the quality of programs offered by providing tours, enrollment information, and community outreach.
  • Perform opening and closing procedures of the center as needed.
• Participate in family events, campus events, and professional activities:
  • Build community partnerships and make outreach efforts to strengthen programming, marketing, and referral services.
  • Engage in research and training activities, continuing education in development, curriculum, and classroom methods.
  • Exhibit commitment to the mission and philosophy of the Center and its Administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field.
• One or more years of experience with teaching and/or fieldwork at the infant, toddler, preschool, or early primary level.
• Maintain certification in infant/toddler/adult CPR and First Aid.
• Must be able to perform all physical aspects of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• State of Michigan fingerprint clearance.
• Valid Central Registry Check.

Benefits

• Generous time off.
• Retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service (immediate vesting).
• Comprehensive health insurance options.
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition support for eligible UM-Flint staff members and dependent tuition support (DTS) for qualified dependents of faculty and staff from all UM campuses.

Pay

$37,800.00 - $47,200.00 per year.