Co-Lead Teacher – TAC Early Learning & Care
Treasure Valley Children’s Relief Nursery (TVCRN) is a therapeutic early childhood and family-strengthening organization located in Ontario, Oregon, serving children and families throughout Malheur County.
Our work is grounded in the belief that children thrive through safe, consistent relationships and that families are strengthened when they receive compassionate, practical support. Through early learning and care, developmental support, home visiting, parenting resources, and connections to community services, TVCRN helps families build resilience and remain safely together.
Our organization is guided by the Therapeutic Approach Commitment (TAC), a relationship-based framework integrating child development, emotional well-being, family support, and trauma-informed practice. TAC is for every child. It creates an inclusive early learning community where children are known, supported, and given opportunities to grow.
Position Summary
The Co-Lead Teacher shares responsibility for the daily leadership of TVCRN’s TAC Early Learning & Care classroom serving children approximately 2 and 3 years of age.
Working in partnership with another Co-Lead Teacher, this position creates a safe, nurturing, structured, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. The Co-Lead Teachers share responsibility for classroom planning, daily routines, family communication, child observations, documentation, regulatory compliance, and coordination of the classroom team.
Using TAC-aligned, relationship-based practices, the Co-Lead Teacher helps children build secure relationships, emotional-regulation skills, confidence, language, social development, and readiness for future learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Share leadership and accountability for the daily operation of the classroom with the other Co-Lead Teacher.
- Collaboratively develop and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences.
- Establish predictable routines and a warm, engaging classroom environment.
- Provide active supervision and maintain required staff-to-child ratios at all times.
- Use positive, trauma-informed, and relationship-based guidance practices.
- Respond to children’s individual developmental, behavioral, sensory, and emotional needs with patience and consistency.
- Implement TAC through responsive caregiving, nurturing interactions, inclusive practices, and strong relationships.
- Observe and document children’s development and participate in screenings, assessments, and individualized planning.
- Communicate respectfully with families about children’s experiences, progress, needs, and accomplishments.
- Partner with families and appropriate TVCRN team members when a child or family may benefit from additional support.
- Support meals, rest periods, transitions, diapering, toileting, handwashing, and other personal-care routines.
- Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
- Complete attendance records, health checks, incident reports, child records, and other required documentation accurately and promptly.
- Coordinate responsibilities with classroom assistants, substitutes, interns, and volunteers, as assigned.
- Participate in reflective supervision, staff meetings, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries with children, families, and coworkers.
- Follow Oregon Child Care Licensing Division requirements, ERDC requirements, TVCRN policies, and all applicable health and safety standards.
- Perform other related duties that support children, families, the classroom team, and TVCRN’s mission.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet or be able to document the applicable Oregon Child Care Licensing Division teacher qualifications for the age group served.
TVCRN is particularly interested in candidates who have one or more of the following:
- Step 6 or higher in the Oregon Registry.
- An associate degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, human development, special education, child and family studies, or a closely related field.
- A Child Development Associate credential or another applicable state- or nationally recognized credential.
- Documented qualifying teaching experience in a licensed or comparable group-care setting.
Additional requirements include:
- Experience caring for or teaching toddlers or preschool-age children.
- Commitment to TAC, relationship-based care, family partnership, and trauma-informed practice.
- Strong communication, collaboration, dependability, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a shared-leadership structure.
- Ability to meet Central Background Registry and all applicable health and safety requirements.
- Willingness to complete all required training within established licensing timelines.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least one year of experience in a licensed early childhood program.
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, human development, or a related field.
- Experience supporting children and families affected by significant stress, adversity, or trauma.
- Experience with developmental screenings, child observations, and progress documentation.
- Familiarity with Teaching Strategies GOLD, the Teaching Pyramid, Conscious Discipline, or comparable relationship-based frameworks.
- Infant/toddler or preschool Child Development Associate credential.
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Physical and Working Requirements
- Frequently sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and engage with children at floor level.
- Lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Respond quickly to children’s health, safety, and supervision needs.
- Assist children with diapering, toileting, feeding, dressing, and other personal-care needs.
- Supervise and participate in indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather conditions.
- Perform routine classroom cleaning and sanitation responsibilities.
Why Join TVCRN?
- Meaningful work supporting young children and families in Malheur County.
- A collaborative classroom model with shared leadership.
- Reflective supervision and ongoing professional development.
- A supportive, relationship-centered workplace.
- Health insurance, paid time off, and training opportunities for eligible employees.
- The opportunity to help shape and grow TVCRN’s TAC Early Learning & Care model.
Position Details
Before publication, add:
- Employment status: full-time or part-time
- Typical schedule
- Hourly wage or wage range
- Benefits eligibility
- Anticipated start date
- Application deadline or “open until filled”
- Application materials and submission instructions
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
