Lead Teacher

Xiente • Philadelphia, PA

19d • $25 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

Xiente is seeking an experienced, dedicated Lead Teacher for its Early Childhood Education team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Lead Teacher creates and maintains a safe, nurturing, engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom for preschool-aged children. The role plans and implements high-quality, play-based learning experiences, assesses child progress, promotes school readiness, and works with families, colleagues, and support staff to support positive outcomes for each child.

The Lead Teacher leads classroom activities and routines, supports children's academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth, and adapts instruction to individual needs. The position also involves maintaining accurate and confidential documentation, meeting program and regulatory standards, engaging families, and contributing to continuous improvement and program-wide school readiness goals. The role is full-time and in person, with reliable attendance and the ability to work the assigned schedule essential to the position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, Human Development, Family Studies, or a closely related field with coursework focused on young children; candidates without a qualifying bachelor's degree do not meet the minimum qualifications.
• Experience teaching preschool-aged children in a childcare center, preschool, Head Start, Pre-K, or similar Early Childhood Education setting.
• Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Experience developing and implementing lesson plans and educational activities.
• Knowledge of classroom assessments, observations, and individualized instruction.
• Experience supporting children with diverse developmental and learning needs.
• Strong classroom management and leadership abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, colleagues, and support staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

Nice To Haves

• Pennsylvania teaching certification or Early Childhood Education certification.
• Experience in Head Start, Pre-K Counts, preschool, childcare, or other early learning programs.
• Experience using Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Familiarity with CLASS, ECERS, Keystone STARS, and NAEYC standards.
• Experience working with IEPs, IFSPs, and inclusion practices.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills; welcomed but not required.
• CPR and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, inclusive, organized, clean, and engaging classroom environment.
• Build positive relationships with children and support their confidence, independence, social-emotional development, and overall growth.
• Apply developmentally appropriate practices, positive behavior-support strategies, consistent routines, and effective classroom management.
• Provide individualized support based on children's developmental, educational, and behavioral needs.
• Use Creative Curriculum to plan and implement learning experiences aligned with Pennsylvania Learning Standards and the Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
• Provide hands-on learning activities across literacy, language, mathematics, science, social studies, problem solving, creative arts, and fine and gross motor development.
• Use assessment information and children's interests to individualize instruction and promote school readiness through play-based learning.
• Maintain classroom environments that support NAEYC, Keystone STARS, ECERS, and CLASS quality standards.
• Conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments, complete Teaching Strategies GOLD checkpoints and progress monitoring, and analyze data for individualized learning plans.
• Complete developmental and social-emotional screenings and maintain accurate, confidential child records, portfolios, reports, and data entry within required timelines.
• Support children with varied developmental abilities and learning needs; implement strategies in IEPs, IFSPs, and intervention plans; and adapt lessons to individual goals.
• Collaborate with support staff and specialists, and participate in multidisciplinary meetings and classroom support planning.
• Build respectful, culturally responsive relationships with families; communicate about children's development and classroom experiences; and conduct required parent-teacher conferences and program visits.
• Encourage family participation and partner with Family Advocates and program staff to support children and families.
• Address family concerns professionally and collaboratively.
• Comply with Head Start Performance Standards, Keystone STARS requirements, NAEYC standards, licensing regulations, organizational policies, and health, safety, sanitation, supervision, and confidentiality procedures.
• Monitor classroom quality, participate in continuous improvement, and support program-wide school readiness and child outcome goals.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility may apply.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level