VPI Lead Teacher

Virginia Preschool Initiative Lead Teacher of Early Learning Center

Reports to Job Role: Division Director

FLSA: Exempt

R/S/T/O/I: Regular

Level: Supervisor

Cornerstones, Laurel Learning Center is seeking an energetic, imaginative, and dedicated VPI Lead Teacher to join our early childhood education team. As the leader of our Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) classroom, you will bring learning to life through hands on exploration, meaningful play, and intentional instruction. If you love watching young learners grow, thrive, and discover their world, this is a place where your passion will shine.

Why You Will Love Working With Us!

• A warm, upbeat environment where learning feels like an adventure.
• A team that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and kindness.
• Ongoing professional development, including VPI training and Creative Curriculum support.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact during one of the most important stages of child development.
• A workplace that encourages new ideas and believes teaching should be joyful.

If you’re ready to inspire young learners, lead with heart, and bring joy into every school day, we’d love to welcome you as our next VPI Lead Teacher.

Descriptive Summary

The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) Lead Teacher is responsible for delivering a high-quality, developmentally appropriate preschool program for children ages 3–5 that meets Virginia Preschool Initiative standards, Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), the Creative Curriculum and VDOE licensing requirements. The Lead Teacher fosters a nurturing, inclusive, and equitable classroom environment, ensures individualized support for all learners, and prepares children for successful transition to kindergarten. This role includes leadership responsibilities for classroom staff, collaboration with families and specialists, and implementation of ongoing assessment and documentation.

Essential Functions

Curriculum & Instruction

• Implement The Creative Curriculum with fidelity, using investigations, purposeful play, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Plan and implement VPI-aligned, developmentally appropriate, play-based lessons that support literacy, math, social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including children with disabilities and English learners.
• Integrate culturally responsive, anti-bias, and inclusive practices throughout daily learning experiences that spark curiosity and promote critical thinking.
• Use assessment data to inform instruction and guide children toward VPI learning objectives and kindergarten readiness outcomes.

Classroom Environment & Care

• Create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating classroom that promotes exploration, independence, and growth across all developmental domains.
• Maintain consistent daily routines and responsive caregiving practices in line with VPI, VDOE, and VQB5 requirements.
• Implement positive guidance strategies to encourage self-regulation, problem-solving, and pro-social behaviors.
• Ensure compliance with classroom ratios, supervision requirements, and health/safety standards.

Assessment & Documentation

• Conduct ongoing child assessments using VPI-approved tools (e.g., ASQ, Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD) to track progress toward developmental milestones and kindergarten readiness goals.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of assessments, attendance, and health/safety information.
• Share results with families and use data to individualize instruction and support children’s growth.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build respectful, culturally responsive partnerships with families.
• Communicate regularly regarding classroom activities, child progress, and VPI goals.
• Facilitate parent conferences, workshops, and family involvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with community partners and agencies to provide additional family supports and resources.

Inclusion & Special Needs Collaboration

• Collaborate with early childhood special education teachers, therapists, and specialists to implement IEPs.
• Modify curriculum, routines, and environments to ensure full participation for children with disabilities or developmental delays.
• Promote equity, inclusion, and respect for diverse abilities within the classroom culture.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and mentor Teacher Assistants and Aides to ensure effective curriculum implementation and adherence to VPI and licensing standards.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and feedback to support classroom staff growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education OR current CDA credential (Child Development Associate) plus VPI-required coursework in early childhood education, child development, or preschool instruction.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years in preschool education, preferably in a VPI or publicly funded program.
• Experience supervising Teacher Assistants and classroom staff.
• Knowledge of VPI standards, ELDS, developmentally appropriate practices, and inclusive instruction.
• Current Child Care Certification preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent technology for record-keeping and communication.
• Strong skills in curriculum implementation, classroom management, and assessment.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.

Attitude

We are looking for someone who:

• Brings warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine joy to early childhood education.
• Balances structure with creativity.
• Approaches challenges with flexibility and a growth mindset.
• Respectful of staff, volunteers, funders and clients.
• Communicative and collaborative leader, working with others individually and in teams.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, child centered early learning environment.
• Frequent interaction with children, families and staff.
• Classroom setting that includes indoor and outdoor learning experiences.
• Participation in school events (field trips, etc), family engagement activities, and professional development.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Ability to supervise children indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Regular in person interaction with the public, clients, and stakeholders.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and active engagement with the children.
• Handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Stamina to maintain active participation throughout the school day.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually mild to high
• Must be able to safely operate a company vehicle.

Salary : $60,000 - $65,000