Be the one who makes a difference! At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us. POSITION OVERVIEW The Preschool Lead Teacher provides a caring, safe, and well-managed environment for children to participate in learning activities and imaginative play. The teacher provides instruction in basic skills such as color, shape, number, and letter recognition as well as social skills. The Lead Teacher establishes clear objectives for all lessons, prepares, organizes, and leads instruction in all activities. The Lead Teacher will lead the evaluation of children's academic performance and social development. The Lead teacher will communicate with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress. The Lead Teacher ensures the enforcement of all district policies and rules regarding the preschool program. The lead teacher will perform administrative duties such as attending staff meetings and professional development, preparing student progress reports, supervising and evaluating teacher assistants, and conducting an inventory of equipment, materials, and supplies. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Plans, develops and implements age-appropriate curriculum. Devise and impart lesson plans on a daily basis. Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments (e.g. read stories, providing writing assistance, reinforcing language skills, numbers, alphabet, computer learning programs, etc.) for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching academic goals and grade-level standards. Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials (e.g. art projects, computer, language skills, etc.) for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom goals and objectives. Assist students during lunchtime, toileting, and washing activities. Enforce cleanup activities by modeling appropriate behavior. Maintains classroom equipment, work area, and manual and electronic files and records (e.g. clean/bleach tables, sign-in/sign-out logs, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; providing a safe learning environment; and/or meeting mandated requirements. Prepare instructional materials (e.g. laminating, making posters, making copies, bulletin boards, filing, newsletters, etc.). Provide an environment of comfort and security for young students by indulging in nurturing behavior. Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, appropriate and/or inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, change in behavior, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel. Maintain ongoing, open communication with parents/caregivers. Provide a classroom environment that encourages parent participation. Ensure that each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experience clear communication with teaching staff. Liaison with children’s families to ensure a smooth transition from home to the school setting and transitions from classroom to a classroom when needed. Assist families with children’s transitions from toddler to preschool and from preschool to kindergarten. Conduct students’ observations and assessments, as well as students’ conferences. Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment. Ensures that Teacher Assistants are kept updated in all matters concerning the classroom and program, i.e. lead teacher meetings, lesson plans, policies and procedures, training received, etc. Provide functional training and guidance to staff, interns, substitutes, and volunteers assigned to the classroom. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES Education, Licensure, or Certification Candidate must meet the following qualifications: Bachelor's’ degree or higher Bachelors preferred in early childhood education or early childhood special education or education. Specialized Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Positively interact with all students. Create a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. Capable of designing lesson plans to meet student needs and school & state requirements. Able to employ varied teaching strategies and best practices that effectively teach the curriculum. Familiar with The Children’s Learning Institute (CLI Engage). Ability to identify individual student needs. Good communication skills with students, coworkers, administration, and parents. Ability to collaborate with other teachers and school staff. Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule. Ability to maintain a professional appearance. Demonstrate a commitment to the teaching profession by utilizing resources for professional development, therefore, improving the education that is provided. Must possess strong communication and organizational skills. Must have the ability to interact positively with students, parents, teachers, and administrators. BACKGROUND CHECKS The incumbent in this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT This position requires the need to lift objects (up to 25 pounds) on occasion. This position may require sitting for long periods at times, talking on the phone, standing, kneeling, stooping and long periods of concentration. Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us! Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 25,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for the 26 schools we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education. Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up. Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed. Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education. Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances. Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance. Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions. Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes. Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer. Be the one who makes a difference! With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!