Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Development Center (Onsite)

This is a full-time, onsite position requiring 40 hours per week at 100% effort, primarily located in the William S. White Building. A cover letter is required and should detail how your past work experience applies to this role.

About the Role

The Lead Teacher at the Early Childhood Development Center is responsible for delivering a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program. This includes assessing children's development and individual needs, curriculum planning using the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and fostering 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 (30%):
  • 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, using child-sized furnishings, running, moving at a brisk pace, and traveling indoors/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 of children’s safety and respond quickly to emergencies.
  • Ensure high-quality childcare standards as outlined by Great Start to Quality.
  • Administer first aid and medication within policy guidelines.
  • Manage the classroom with consistency and high expectations for children.
  • Adhere to Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers.
• Relationships and communication with families (20%):
  • Foster connections between home, school, and community.
  • Promote family involvement within the classroom.
• Curriculum Planning, Implementation, Assessment, and Documentation (15%):
  • Plan and implement curriculum promoting physical, social, and cognitive development.
  • Organize and supervise field trips or outside classroom experiences.
  • 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 engaging small and large group activities/projects.
• Team Collaboration (15%):
  • Work collaboratively with co-teachers to provide quality care and establish a quality program.
  • Mentor Assistant Teachers and temporary staff while managing classroom interactions.
  • Assist with training staff, interns, and temporary personnel.
• Administrative Tasks (10%):
  • Maintain accurate and timely paperwork for families, children, and staff.
  • Represent the program’s quality by providing tours, enrollment information, and community outreach.
  • Perform opening and closing procedures of the center as needed.
• Professional and Community Engagement (10%):
  • Participate in family events, campus events, and professional activities related to early childhood education.
  • Build community partnerships and outreach efforts to strengthen programming 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Certification in infant/toddler/adult CPR and First Aid.
• Ability 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 and qualified dependents (Dependent Tuition Support for all UM campuses).