Lead Preschool Teacher (3 year olds)

Diocese of Lansing•East Lansing, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a high-quality early childhood education program for a classroom of three-year-old children that meets all applicable early childhood education standards. The Lead Teacher fosters a safe, nurturing, and faith-filled learning environment that supports each child's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and spiritual development. Working in partnership with parents and families, the Lead Teacher observes and assesses each child's developmental progress, plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences, and adapts instruction to meet the individual needs of every child. The Lead Teacher is responsible for designing and maintaining an engaging classroom environment that encourages exploration, creativity, independence, and a love of learning. Additional responsibilities include supervising classroom routines and activities, promoting positive behavior and social skills, maintaining accurate records of student progress, communicating regularly with families, collaborating with colleagues and school administration, and ensuring compliance with all licensing requirements, school policies, and diocesan guidelines. When necessary for ratio requirements, the Preschool Lead Teacher may need to supervise a paraprofessional. The Preschool Lead Teacher models Christian values and supports the mission of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School by integrating Catholic faith and teachings into daily classroom experiences.

Requirements

Michigan licensing credentialing standards.
Successful completion of a criminal history and fingerprint background check in accordance with state licensing requirements.
Current certification in CPR and First Aid, or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
Completion of all required state training, including Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Emergency Preparedness, and any other training required by state licensing regulations.
Meet all state health and immunization requirements for childcare personnel.
Maintain compliance with all state licensing regulations and diocesan policies as a condition of employment such as Virtus.

Nice To Haves

An associate or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 college quarter credits in early childhood education
Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials; (Pre‐K‐Grade 3) or Early Childhood Special Education.
Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with children.
Demonstrated ability to work efficiently within a team.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain engaging indoor and outdoor learning environments that provide a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences designed to encourage exploration, creativity, problem-solving, and discovery.
Plan and implement a curriculum aligned with early childhood education standards and the mission of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School that prepares children for future academic success while supporting each child's individual developmental needs.
Establish and maintain a consistent daily schedule that includes individual, small-group, and whole-group learning experiences, creative expression, outdoor play, faith formation, healthy habits, and opportunities for social interaction.
Model Christian values, professionalism, kindness, and respectful behavior in all interactions with children, families, colleagues, and parish community members.
Build positive partnerships with parents by communicating regularly about children's progress, encouraging family involvement, and incorporating children's interests, backgrounds, and family traditions into classroom learning whenever appropriate.
Foster each child's social, emotional, spiritual, cognitive, language, and physical development through positive guidance techniques, relationship-building, and developmentally appropriate classroom management.
Observe, screen, document, and assess each child's growth and development using appropriate assessment tools.
Use assessment data to plan individualized learning experiences and communicate progress with families.
Supervise, mentor, and collaborate with paraprofessionals, assistant teachers, classroom aides, volunteers, and student teachers to ensure a safe, positive, and effective learning environment.
Conduct parent-teacher conferences at least twice each school year and maintain ongoing communication with families to establish shared learning goals and support each child's development.
Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely student records, including attendance, developmental observations, assessments, accident reports, and other documentation required by school, diocesan, and state licensing regulations.
Integrate Catholic faith, prayer, Gospel values, and age-appropriate religious instruction into daily classroom activities and support the school's mission of forming students in faith, academics, and service.
Participate in faculty meetings, professional development opportunities, accreditation activities, school events, and other duties as assigned by the Principal.
Maintain compliance with all Michigan childcare licensing regulations, diocesan policies, school procedures, and health and safety requirements.
Work collaboratively with school staff, specialists, and administration to support the individual needs of students and contribute to a positive, welcoming preschool program.
Use information in ongoing program improvement.
Perform other functions as necessary or as assigned