Lead Teacher Preschool (HS)

PSESD•Seattle, WA

19d

About The Position

Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) seeks a highly qualified Preschool Lead Teacher to lead a classroom unit in a collaborative partnership with the Teacher and Assistant Teacher. The role involves designing and leading children’s learning, documenting outcomes, and working with families. At Educare, the Lead Teacher develops and implements academic, behavior, developmental, health, and nutrition plans to maximize student outcomes, meet program objectives, and encourage home-school connections. The teaching team provides diverse learning experiences that recognize children’s backgrounds and heritage. Educare is a research-based early learning program focused on high-quality care and early childhood education, family partnership, and children’s growth and development. It emphasizes evidence-informed practices, high expectations for child and family goals, reflective practice, inclusion, diversity, excellence, innovation, creativity, and equity. PSESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state-approved charter and private schools in Washington. This is a school-schedule position of 213 days and 1,704 hours. The position supports children and families through classroom instruction and care, individualized planning, family engagement, staff supervision, program compliance, and continuous improvement. The posting is open until filled; the stated best-consideration date is November 8, 2026, and interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 17, 2026.

Requirements

Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and experience teaching preschool-age children; or a current Washington State Teaching Certificate with an ECE (PreK–grade 3) or Early Childhood Special Education endorsement; or an associate degree or higher in a related field, 20 ECE credits, and nine months of preschool classroom experience.
Two years of professional experience working with children ages 0–5.
Early childhood oversight experience in a childcare center, child development center, or preschool program.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a lead teacher in Head Start, Early Head Start, or another comprehensive child development/family support program.
Experience supervising early childhood classroom staff.
Experience working with children from birth to age 5 who are from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Support families with needs related to child guidance and development, advocate for parents, and encourage parent involvement.
Administer health screenings, developmental testing, and assessments to identify needs, assess development, and develop individual learning plans.
Assist children with hand washing, tooth brushing, diapering, and other personal hygiene activities.
Attend educational workshops, seminars, and in-service trainings to maintain professional knowledge.
Collaborate with families to optimize child development and enhance parenting skills.
Conduct home visits and conferences in accordance with program requirements, providing family information and resources and partnering on educational planning and goal setting.
Coordinate development of Individualized Educational Plans in compliance with regulations and performance standards, encouraging parent involvement and maximizing child outcomes.
Coordinate classroom preparation, teaching materials, routines, and staff roles to ensure resources and personnel are available to achieve objectives.
Develop weekly individualized curriculum plans with the classroom team, including varied indoor and outdoor, active and quiet, group, small-group, and individual learning experiences and environmental adaptations.
Maintain active supervision through focused attention and intentional observation of children to provide a safe, positive learning environment.
Implement academic, behavior, developmental, health, and nutrition plans in accordance with regulations and performance standards and to achieve program objectives and student outcomes.
Instruct children in support of School Readiness goals and individual outcomes.
Maintain files and records for current reference, cross-component communication, and compliance with district, local, state, and federal regulations.
Maintain classroom equipment, work areas, and student records to ensure availability, reliable information, and a safe, sanitary environment.
Model conversation, respectful interaction, conflict resolution, clean-up, and self-care in a culturally sensitive manner.
Organize and serve meals and snacks in compliance with USDA and Head Start regulations.
Participate in program activities and local and national evaluation activities to support program communication and continuous improvement.
Prepare reports documenting family and child activities as described in the work plan.
Provide child-guidance information and support to improve parent and family understanding of child development, learning, and school readiness.
Provide care to children to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Respond to inquiries by resolving issues, providing information, or making referrals.
Respond to emergencies to address immediate safety concerns or direct concerns to appropriate personnel.
Participate as an active team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, sharing information about development, learning, health, and family goals.
Supervise personnel by providing coaching and consultation on technical issues, adaptive challenges, personnel matters, strategic opportunities, career goals, professional development, and job performance.
Supervise Teachers and/or Teacher’s Aides, collaborating to meet family needs, providing training, and encouraging participation in planning, curriculum development, and classroom activities.
Assist other personnel as needed to support an efficient and effective work environment.