Lead Teacher – YPW Westlake Spanish Immersion School
The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. The Lead Teacher plans and implements the daily classroom program in alignment with YPW’s Spanish Immersion philosophy, curriculum, and educational goals.
The ideal candidate is a warm, dependable, collaborative, and enthusiastic educator who is passionate about working with young children and supporting their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
The Lead Teacher works closely with the YPW Westlake administration, teaching team, specialists, and families to provide a consistent and high-quality experience for every child.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Lead Teacher’s qualifications must meet or exceed all applicable Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) Child-Care Licensing requirements for the age group assigned.
A Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field is preferred. Previous experience working in a preschool or early childhood setting is also preferred.
The following qualifications are especially desirable:
- Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field and at least one year of supervised teaching experience.
- Associate’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field and at least two years of supervised teaching experience.
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and at least three years of teaching experience.
- High school diploma or GED and at least four years of teaching experience.
- Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool, or pre-kindergarten children.
- Experience working in a Spanish Immersion or bilingual early childhood environment is highly preferred.
- Fluent Spanish-speaking ability is required.
Professional Development & Cross-Training
At YPW Westlake, we value professional growth, collaboration, and consistency across the school. All teaching staff will receive cross-training and opportunities to work with children across different age groups and classrooms.
This cross-training helps teachers understand the developmental progression of children throughout the program, strengthens teamwork, and allows staff to provide support across the school when needed.
JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Teacher plans and implements a developmentally appropriate daily curriculum and learning experiences for the children in their classroom. Activities and experiences should promote each child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development while supporting independence, curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.
The Lead Teacher is responsible for overseeing and coordinating children’s daily routines, personal care, hygiene, meals and snacks, learning activities, specialized programs, transitions, and positive guidance.
The Lead Teacher maintains accurate classroom records, developmental assessments, portfolios, lesson plans, and required checklists while ensuring that the classroom environment remains clean, organized, safe, and engaging.
The Lead Teacher also establishes positive and professional relationships with families by communicating regularly about their child’s day, development, accomplishments, and areas of growth. Teachers are expected to participate in both formal and informal parent-teacher conferences and maintain open communication with families.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCEClassroom & Curriculum
- Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences based on the children’s individual needs, interests, and developmental stages.
- Follow and implement the curriculum and educational practices established by YPW.
- Support YPW’s Spanish Immersion environment by consistently communicating with children in Spanish throughout the school day.
- Provide opportunities that support social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and creative development.
- Adapt activities and experiences to accommodate individual developmental needs, interests, and abilities.
- Maintain accurate classroom records, portfolios, assessments, lesson plans, and required documentation.
- Maintain classroom materials, equipment, and learning areas in an organized and functional condition.
- Encourage children to develop independence, problem-solving skills, confidence, and positive relationships with peers and teachers.
Child Care & Positive Guidance
- Treat every child with dignity, respect, patience, and compassion.
- Consider each child’s individual background, developmental needs, interests, and personality.
- Use positive guidance and age-appropriate behavior-support strategies.
- Provide a warm, nurturing, and responsive environment.
- Supervise children closely and maintain appropriate ratios and active supervision at all times.
- Assist children with personal care, hygiene, toileting, handwashing, meals, snacks, and other daily routines as developmentally appropriate.
- Participate in family-style meal and snack service.
- Promote healthy habits, independence, and appropriate self-help skills.
Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Maintain a safe, healthy, clean, and nurturing learning environment.
- Take proactive steps to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Respond appropriately and immediately to injuries, emergencies, and unexpected situations.
- Understand and follow YPW emergency procedures, including procedures for fire, severe weather, tornadoes, chemical leaks, lockdowns, evacuations, and other emergencies.
- Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification as required.
- Be physically capable of responding appropriately in emergency situations, including assisting with the lifting or carrying of a child when necessary.
- Follow all YPW policies and applicable Texas Child-Care Licensing requirements related to health and safety.
Family Communication
- Establish positive, respectful, and professional relationships with children and their families.
- Communicate with families regularly regarding their child’s daily experiences, progress, accomplishments, and areas of development.
- Provide accurate and timely information through YPW’s approved communication systems.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences and other family meetings as requested.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and school matters.
- Direct sensitive or complex family concerns to YPW Administration when appropriate.
Professionalism & Teamwork
- Maintain professional conduct and communication when interacting with children, families, colleagues, administrators, and visitors.
- Maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with all members of the YPW team.
- Communicate respectfully and professionally and avoid gossip, unnecessary conversations, or discussions that compromise the professionalism of the workplace.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and school operations.
- Work collaboratively with Teacher Assistants, Floaters, Specialists, Administration, and other classroom teams.
- Support coworkers and classrooms when needed.
- Participate in staff meetings, professional development, training, and school events.
- Remain flexible and willing to assist across classrooms and age groups as needed.
- Demonstrate a commitment to YPW’s mission, values, Spanish Immersion philosophy, and commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The Lead Teacher position requires the ability to actively participate in the daily activities and physical demands of working with young children.
The employee must be able to:
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds when necessary and as permitted by applicable requirements.
- Bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and sit on the floor to interact with children at their level.
- Stand and move throughout the classroom for the majority of the workday.
- Walk, run, jump, demonstrate physical activities, and actively participate in play with children.
- Respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected circumstances or emergencies.
- Assist children with physical needs, including transitions, toileting, meals, and other daily routines.
- Maintain the physical and mental readiness necessary to provide continuous active supervision and care.
YPW WESTLAKE TEAM EXPECTATIONS
At YPW Westlake, we believe that strong teachers create strong classrooms and strong teams. We are looking for educators who are committed to building meaningful relationships with children, collaborating with colleagues, communicating openly with families, and continuously growing as professionals.
Our Lead Teachers are expected to be positive role models, dependable teammates, advocates for children, and ambassadors of the YPW community.
The Lead Teacher should consistently demonstrate:
- Reliability and punctuality.
- A positive and solution-oriented attitude.
- Flexibility and willingness to support the team.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Respect for children, families, and coworkers.
- A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- A genuine passion for early childhood education and Spanish Immersion.
- Commitment to providing every child with a safe, loving, and enriching school experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
