Overview

Launch is dedicated to ensuring a brilliant start for all children. Through our preschool, after school and summer programs, we provide equitable access to the highest-quality learning and care in a safe, enriching environment that prepares children for success in school and life.

Job Summary

The Preschool Lead Teacher 2 is responsible for providing a safe, caring and academically and socially enriching environment for preschool children. This position ensures that all activities are developmentally appropriate, consistent with curriculum guidelines, and meet all identified academic and developmental domains. This is a full-time, non-exempt position overseen by the Program Site Manager.

Benefits

• 401K Benefits
• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits

Essential Job Functions

• In partnership with other Preschool Lead Teachers, plan and lead all activities in a classroom, with a focus on providing quality kindergarten readiness preparedness programs for children 3-5 years or age. Plan, prepare, implement and clean-up activities and projects using the HighScope program outline
• Provide positive behavior guidance. Behavior is a way for children to communicate, ask yourself why them might be having a certain way. Be specific about what you want children to do, rather than what you do not want them to do
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to changes and modifications as recommended by coaches, leadership, and changing trends in early childhood education
• Maintain center appearance and cleanliness, including post activity clean up. Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks in accordance with Department of Health Food Safety standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Communicate frequently with parents, site leadership, and other key stakeholders about classroom activities, observations and identified progress, etc. Prepare and schedule parent/teacher conferences

Qualifications

Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent

Lead Teacher 2

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Child Development or related field, which can include Youth Recreation/Development, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Psychology, Social Work with an emphasis on Human Development

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college and verified as “approved” in MERIT

AND

• 30 or more approved quarter credits in ECE, verified through MERIT. Up to 10 credits may be classified as ECE-School Age hybrid (“E/S”) credits
• Minimum three (3) years of experience working with preschool children (3-5 years old), including experience in behavior management and age-appropriate activity planning

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• The ability to lead staff in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum 
• The ability to problem-solve, think strategically, and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially 
• The ability to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds 
• The ability to lead by example and routinely demonstrate behavior consistent with Launch’s values, or children, families, employees and mission
• The ability to collaborate with on-site educators, colleagues and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality, on-site programs
• The ability to communicate effectively, professionally and empathetically in both written and verbal formats
• The ability to work effectively in a normal office environment; physical requirements include normal walking, sitting, bending, twisting, standing and reaching activities and the ability to regularly lift items weighing up to 25 lbs
• Strong organizational skills, demonstrated by (but not limited to) a safe, clean and effectively managed worksite and compliance with Launch’s confidentiality policy regarding child, family and employee information
• Demonstrate an eagerness to learn and enhance skills that promote Equity and Inclusion 

Condition of Employment

• Maintaining the following: criminal record clearance, Food Worker Card, First Aid/CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens/HIV training, Mandated Reported Training Vaccination Record.

After Hire

• Maintain Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Trainings:
  • Medication Management, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness, Families Experiencing Homelessness, Abusive Head Trauma

Within 1 Month of Hire

• Completion of STARS Basic 30 hour Child Care course

The statement contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of the job. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas as deemed fit for the organization