Lead Teacher Job at Inside Higher Ed in Pasadena

Lead Teachers at Pacific Oaks Children's School play a vital role in fostering a developmentally appropriate and inclusive program for young children. They guide and collaborate with their teaching team to implement an emergent curriculum that supports the growth of the whole child, embracing diverse learning styles and promoting anti-bias education. Position Summary Lead Teachers at Pacific Oaks Children's School play a vital role in fostering a developmentally appropriate and inclusive program for young children. They guide and collaborate with their teaching team to implement an emergent curriculum that supports the growth of the whole child, embracing diverse learning styles and promoting anti-bias education. Key responsibilities include teaching, coordinating home & school communications, building strong parent relationships, and supporting school-wide initiatives. Lead Teachers also mentor associate teachers and practicum students, demonstrating best practices and cultivating a learning environment centered on collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement. Lead Teachers ensure the effective operation and coordination of their programs. They work closely with fellow Lead Teachers, Master Teachers, and the broader teaching team to meet the developmental needs of all children and uphold the school’s educational values. Reports directly to the Executive Director of the Children’s School. Supervision Lead Teachers operate under general supervision from the Executive Director of the Children’s School. They have the autonomy to make instructional and operational decisions within the framework of school policies and educational standards. While they are expected to manage their classrooms independently, they receive guidance and feedback during regular check-ins and performance evaluations. Supervision Exercised Lead Teachers, in collaboration with Master Teachers (when present), provide supervision over the teaching team, including Associate Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and practicum students. When a Master Teacher is part of the group, they act as the direct supervisor, with Lead Teachers providing supportive supervision to enhance team leadership and curriculum implementation. If a Master Teacher is not part of the group, the Lead Teacher assumes direct supervision, guiding the teaching team, overseeing classroom activities, and mentoring teachers. This leadership role includes developing and implementing the curriculum, ensuring classroom management, and fostering a learning environment that aligns with the school’s educational philosophy. Number of Supervisors : 0 FTE (Full-time Equivalent) directly; 0 FTE indirectly. 1–3 FTE (Non-exempt) and 1–3 FTE Total may apply depending on staffing configuration. Essential Functions Commitment to Progressive Philosophy & Curriculum Development: Demonstrate a deep understanding of and commitment to the school’s progressive, experiential learning philosophy. Plan, implement, and adapt developmentally appropriate curricula that are responsive to children's needs, interests, and learning styles, fostering cognitive and social-emotional growth. Environment Setup & Child Safety: Create and maintain a safe, purposeful learning environment indoors and outdoors, promoting creativity, exploration, and children’s physical and emotional well-being. Prioritize health and safety at all times, ensuring compliance with school policies and procedures. Observations, Documentation & Communication: Continuously observe and document children’s development, providing in-depth, annual developmental summaries. Collaborate with parents, staff, and the Executive Director to support each child’s growth and maintain regular communication with families through notes, newsletters, and progress updates. Parent Partnerships & Engagement: Build respectful, collaborative relationships with parents, honoring cultural differences and diverse family structures. Facilitate individual parent conferences at least twice per year and group meetings three times annually. Actively participate in Parent Orientation and other school events to foster strong school-family partnerships. Staff Supervision & Professional Development: Supervise, mentor, and support staff in their daily responsibilities, curriculum planning, and classroom management. Lead staff meetings, provide ongoing feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and encourage continued professional growth. Practicum Student Support: Mentor practicum students by providing guidance in curriculum planning, classroom management, and child development. Facilitate weekly meetings and collaborate with faculty to ensure a meaningful educational experience. General Operations & Administrative Duties: Coordinate daily staffing and monitor classroom and environmental maintenance needs. Perform other administrative duties as assigned to ensure smooth program operations and meet the needs of the school community. Perform other duties as assigned. Is regular attendance an essential function? Yes Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ethical Modeling: Model appropriate ethical behavior for children, families, and colleagues, exemplifying care, respect, and honesty. Professionalism: Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all aspects of the job. Teaching Expertise: Skilled and experienced in preschool teaching based on active learning, play, progressive, constructivist, and/or emergent principles. Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication skills, able to convey information clearly and sensitively. Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Collaboration: Communicate openly, directly, and constructively with staff and families without engaging in gossip or rumor. Problem-Solving: Use appropriate channels for problem-solving and communication, addressing challenges professionally. Physical and Emotional Stamina: Ability to engage physically and emotionally with children throughout the day, managing the demands of the classroom. Leadership: Ability to mentor, supervise, and support other teachers, while leading by example in providing high-quality education and fostering a positive work environment. Position Qualifications Required: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field. Must be eligible to earn a graduate degree within two years. Experience: A minimum of 12 months of experience working with young children in an early childhood education setting. Preferred: Experience: Two years of experience working with young children in an early childhood education setting is preferred. Typical Working Conditions The Lead Teacher will work in both indoor and outdoor settings, with temperatures ranging from the 60s to 90s outdoors. The role requires flexibility and adaptability to varying weather conditions and classroom dynamics. Equipment Used The role does not require specialized equipment beyond typical classroom and outdoor materials used for teaching and childcare. Physical & Mental Demands The position includes a range of physical and mental tasks typical of early childhood teaching, including standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), walking, carrying, hearing, speaking, writing, squatting/kneeling, reaching, climbing, and pushing. It involves exposure to classroom noise, heat/cold, cleaning chemicals, dirt, and occasional exposure to human tissue/fluids. Mental demands include reading, frequent interruptions, periods of concentrated attention, detailed work, frequent contact with people, frequent deadlines, and handling multiple concurrent tasks. Travel: Up to 3% of total time. Some travel to events throughout the Pasadena area. Travel is strictly voluntary and typically for school-related events or professional development opportunities. Environmental Conditions Indoor Environment: Typically quiet to moderately busy with temperature-controlled conditions. Outdoor Environment: Exposure to natural elements, including temperature fluctuations, sun, and occasional rain. Supervisors ensure sun protection and safety. Sensory Conditions: Noise levels may vary; classroom and outdoor activities involve tactile and visual stimuli. Decision Making Level of decision-making: Minimal to moderate. The Lead Teacher is responsible for daily classroom operations, curriculum planning, and staff development decisions, in consultation with the Executive Director and families when needed. The position is governed by Pacific Oaks policies and established procedures for the Children’s School. Contact Responsibilities Responsible for demonstrating professionalism and leadership in resolving conflicts with students, parents and employees. Recommends alternative approaches to solve problems and conflicts. Internal Contacts: Peers and Co-workers; Executive Director and Leadership Team. External Contacts: Parents; Children. Financial Responsibility: This position does not require the management of budgets, but it is required to follow Pacific Oaks policies for purchasing and budget approvals. Compensation & Benefits This opportunity is budgeted at $20.00-21.50 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. Benefits information: generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement. Learn more at the careers page: https://www.pacificoaks.edu/about/careers-pacific-oaks/ Pacific Oaks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pacific Oaks participates in E-Verify and verifies identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Pacific Oaks offers equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, housing status, source of income or military status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws. Note: The postings and additional job-related items appearing after this description (e.g., related job postings) are not part of this role’s core description. #J-18808-Ljbffr