Early Education Teacher--Job Description
Job Title: Lead Teacher Reports to: Preschool Director
Wages: $42,000 per year starting salary Start date: August 3rd, 2026
Hours: (7:30am to 4 pm), M-F., Full-time, Year Round (two weeks off during school break, ten PTO days)
FLSA: Salaried, Exempt Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Simple IRA (Employer 3% contribution)
Educational Philosophy: At the Highlandtown Preschool, we believe that childhood should be joyful and full of adventure! We believe that the earliest, most memorable kind of learning includes catching butterflies, finding frogs and being outdoors. We believe that empathy, love, curiosity and respect for our environment and one another is the foundation for learning. We believe it is every child’s right, as an integral part of the natural community, to develop a foundation of academic skills through encounters in the natural world.
Curriculum: Our curriculum is a holistic approach to learning that integrates, MSDE approved, Frog Street curriculum with outdoor education. Through a play-based curriculum, we support the physical, social and emotional skill development of every child.
Position Summary: The Early Education Lead Teacher is responsible for the academic and social-emotional growth and development of students ages 3-4 years of age; develops partnerships with birth parents/child’s caregivers to engage and encourage parent participation in the program.
COVID-19 Policies: The Highlandtown Preschool requires that all staff members be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. New staff members will be required to be fully vaccinated prior to their first day of work. Documentation verifying vaccination will be kept with other confidential personnel files in the office. Exceptions to this vaccination requirement will be allowed in the case of disability, primary care medical guidance, or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Key Knowledge:
● Understand developmental stages and milestones from infancy through age twelve, major theories of child development, and how children learn
● Understand methods of assessment and observation techniques used to observe and evaluate children
● Understand inclusionary practices based on national standards and best practices in early childhood education and knows how to establish an inclusive child care environment
● Develop and use strategies for positive child guidance and discipline based on theory and best practices
● Understand the impact of health, nutrition, family, and parenting styles on child growth and development
● Understand the influence of culture and community on child development
● Understand the responsibilities of identifying and reporting incidents of child abuse and neglect
Duties and Responsibilities:
● Develop weekly plans and implement age appropriate curriculum to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development in their care.
● Perform developmental evaluations as required by the program.
● On a continual basis, plan, evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.
● Prepare developmental progress reports as needed and communicate progress with parents.
● Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic, spiritual, and familial values into the childcare program and lesson plans.
● Complete child transition and orientation of the classroom with parents and maintain ongoing, open communication with parents/caregivers.
● Assist families with children's transitions from home to preschool and preschool to kindergarten.
● Assure a healthy, safe, clean and developmentally appropriate environment for children; abide by all state and local regulations, and school policies, related to the ongoing pandemic.
● Assist with the supervision, training and guidance of substitutes, aides and volunteers for the classroom setting.
● Participate in educational development opportunities.
● In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description
Required Qualifications
● Education:
o 90 hour certification or qualifying college courses
● Experience:
o Previous teaching experience required and experience working with young children. Should have a thorough understanding of early childhood education.
Preferred Qualifications
● Conversational Spanish
● Teaching degree in early childhood education.
● CPR and first aid certification
● MD child care credential Level 4 or Higher
● Openness to varied religious and spiritual understandings and backgrounds, and comfort with religious language and content as presented by church staff during weekly chapel sessions.
Other:
● Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
o Walk, hear, speak, and physically manipulate objects.
o Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl.
o Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40 pound child.
● Criminal Background Check (FBI & State)
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of the
responsibilities and activities required of the position.
To Apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter to: Director at TheHighlandtownPreschool dot org
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you vaccinated against COVID-19?
Language:
License/Certification:
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
- 90 hour Childcare certification (Required)
Work Location: In person
