Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Western New Mexico University•Mission, NM

About The Position

The Early Childhood Lead Teacher develops, implements, and evaluates child-centered, age-appropriate curriculum in accordance with national accreditation requirements. The role prepares weekly lesson plans, delivers daily educational activities, and leads small-group interactive sessions to support children’s understanding. The teacher plans classroom and outdoor activities, supervises children’s learning and safety, and assigns activities to assistants to support classroom management and instruction. The position collaborates with teaching staff and families to coordinate projects, discuss children’s progress and needs, and support positive relationships among children, families, colleagues, and the community. It uses assessments and observations to identify developmental needs, evaluate social and emotional risks and resiliency, and individualize learning plans. The teacher also supports early childhood education practicum and internship students through classroom-based learning, assessment reports, and evaluation meetings with faculty and co-teaching staff. The role adheres to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment and performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate child-centered, age-appropriate curriculum that meets national accreditation requirements.
Prepare weekly lesson plans aligned with established curriculum goals and objectives.
Provide daily age-appropriate educational activities and small-group interactive sessions based on lesson plans.
Plan and implement special events, classroom activities, and outdoor curricular activities that extend learning.
Supervise classroom and playground activities, children’s behavior, safety, and engagement with lesson objectives.
Assign classroom activities to assistants to support classroom management and instruction.
Coordinate interclass projects and activities with other teaching staff.
Work with families to discuss children’s progress, concerns, and needs; participate in parent conferences and pre-semester orientations.
Build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and the community, and encourage parental involvement and cultural diversity in the curriculum.
Administer assessments to measure children’s social and emotional risks and resiliency.
Use assessment tools and observations to identify developmental needs and create individualized learning plans.
Adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.
Coordinate practicum and internship students’ classroom activities, complete required laboratory student assessment reports, and meet with faculty and co-teaching staff to evaluate students.
Perform other duties as assigned.