Educator (Infant | Toddler | Preschool | Pre-K)
Kate's Korner Learning Center – American Tobacco Campus
Help Children Build the Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning
At Kate's Korner Learning Center, we believe children thrive when they feel safe, seen, valued, and empowered. Before children can flourish academically, they need meaningful relationships, confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of belonging. Our educators create the conditions where every child can grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually through joyful, intentional, play-based learning.
We're looking for experienced, reflective educators who view children as capable, competent, and full of potential. If you believe learning begins with relationships, embrace child-led exploration, and are committed to creating equitable and inclusive learning environments, we'd love to meet you.
As an Educator, you will work alongside a collaborative teaching team to design engaging learning environments, develop meaningful curriculum, and build authentic partnerships with families. Whether working with Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, or Pre-K learners, you'll help create experiences that inspire confidence, independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our Core Values
Everything we do is grounded in nine core values that guide our relationships, decisions, and daily practices:
- Relationships – We build trust through authentic connections with children, families, and one another.
- Respect – Every child, family, and educator is valued, heard, and treated with dignity.
- Belonging – Every individual deserves to feel welcomed, included, and celebrated.
- Curiosity – We encourage exploration, creativity, questioning, and discovery every day.
- Equity – We embrace diversity and actively create learning experiences where every child can thrive.
- Collaboration – Great learning happens through teamwork with colleagues, families, and community partners.
- Growth – We believe children and educators are lifelong learners who continually evolve.
- Joy – Learning should be meaningful, engaging, and filled with wonder.
- Excellence – We hold ourselves to high standards while continually reflecting, improving, and innovating.
What You'll DoCreate Inspiring Learning Environments
Design and maintain inviting classroom environments that encourage exploration, independence, collaboration, and meaningful play.
Observe children's interests and developmental progress to create responsive learning experiences that challenge and inspire each learner.
Implement developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports cognitive, social-emotional, language, physical, and creative development.
Document children's learning through observation, reflection, and authentic assessment practices.
Support children's emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, confidence, and independence using positive guidance strategies.
Build Strong Relationships
Develop meaningful partnerships with families through open communication, trust, and mutual respect.
Honor each child's unique culture, language, strengths, abilities, and experiences within classroom practices.
Collaborate with specialists, therapists, and community partners to ensure every child receives individualized support when needed.
Create an inclusive classroom where every child feels safe, respected, and empowered to participate.
Collaborate as a Professional Learning Community
Work closely with your teaching team to plan curriculum, reflect on classroom practices, and continuously improve learning experiences.
Contribute ideas, creativity, and professional expertise during team meetings and collaborative planning.
Support a culture where educators coach, encourage, and learn from one another.
Help maintain organized, engaging, and responsive classroom environments that evolve alongside children's interests.
Lead Through Everyday Actions
Model professionalism, integrity, and compassion in every interaction.
Represent Kate's Korner's mission and values within the center and throughout the community.
Participate in ongoing professional learning and actively seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Contribute to a positive workplace culture where innovation, reflection, and continuous improvement are celebrated.
What Success Looks Like
Successful educators at Kate's Korner:
- Build trusting relationships with every child and family.
- Create environments where children feel confident, capable, and valued.
- Design engaging experiences inspired by children's interests and developmental needs.
- Foster curiosity through hands-on, meaningful exploration.
- Collaborate openly with colleagues while supporting a positive team culture.
- Approach challenges with flexibility, professionalism, and a solution-focused mindset.
- Reflect on their practice and continuously strive for growth.
Qualifications
Required:
- Experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool, or pre-kindergarten children in a licensed early childhood setting.
- Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Strong understanding of child-led, play-based learning and responsive curriculum planning.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a teaching team.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to remain calm, patient, and professional in a fast-paced environment.
- Basic technology skills for communication and documentation.
Preferred:
- Degree or coursework in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
- Experience with constructivist, inquiry-based, emergent, or project-based learning approaches.
- Familiarity with observation-based assessment and reflective teaching practices.
- Experience partnering with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Why You'll Love Working Here
At Kate's Korner, we believe exceptional educators deserve exceptional support.
You'll join a collaborative team where your voice matters, your ideas are welcomed, and your professional expertise is valued. We invest in our educators through coaching, professional development, collaborative planning, and opportunities for leadership.
Our classrooms are designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, and authentic learning, not scripted instruction. We trust educators as professionals and empower them to make thoughtful decisions that meet the needs of the children they serve.
Together, we're creating an environment where children, families, and educators grow side by side.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to sit, kneel, bend, and actively engage with children throughout the day.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to meet all state licensing health and safety requirements.
Join Our Team
If you're passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences, building authentic relationships, and making a lasting impact on children's lives, we'd love to hear from you.
At Kate's Korner Learning Center, we're not just preparing children for school, we're helping them develop the confidence, curiosity, resilience, and sense of belonging they'll carry with them for life.
Kate's Korner Learning Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee, child, and family is respected, valued, and supported.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Pay: $18.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Relocate:
- Durham, NC 27701: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
