Lead Teacher

Children's Aid Job Listing•New York, NY

About The Position

The Lead Teacher ensures that children reach developmentally appropriate milestones through evidence-based curricula, individualized support, and high-quality learning environments. The role prepares children and families for success in kindergarten and in life while meeting or exceeding Head Start Performance Standards and site-specific funding regulations. The position supports Children’s Aid’s mission to help children in poverty succeed and thrive through comprehensive services in high-need New York City neighborhoods. The Lead Teacher promotes school readiness, provides responsive and individualized instruction and supervision, and creates a safe, inclusive classroom that fosters trusting relationships and exploration. The role oversees additional teachers and volunteers, maintains educational records and assessments, engages families, uses student progress data to guide improvement, and participates in professional development and reflective coaching. The position also supports compliance with applicable licensing, health, safety, privacy, and funding requirements. Qualifications vary by Lead Teacher level and funding context. DOE-funded 3-K and Pre-K classrooms require at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a commitment to obtain NYSED Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2) within three years of hire. Other listed pathways include study-plan approval based on specified college credits or degrees, and higher-level roles requiring bachelor’s or master’s degrees and specified NYSED teaching certifications. Staff approved under a study plan must complete the degree within five years and maintain enrollment and provide progress documentation. The role requires at least two years of experience teaching infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged children in a licensed early childhood setting.

Requirements

Meet applicable Federal Head Start, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Article 47, and Department of Education qualification requirements.
Have at least two years of experience teaching infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged children in a licensed early childhood education setting.
Demonstrate knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and evidence-based early childhood curricula.
Have strong classroom management, organizational, and communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrate commitment to professional growth, reflective teaching, and improvement of instructional quality.
Be proficient in documenting child progress, maintaining accurate records, and using technology and Microsoft Office applications to support classroom operations.
Meet the applicable educational and certification requirements for the specific Lead Teacher level and funding context.
For DOE-funded 3-K or Pre-K classrooms, hold at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and formally commit to obtaining NYSED Initial Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2) within three years of hire.
For a DOHMH Study Plan Approval pathway, meet one of the listed criteria: at least 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or childhood education; at least 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree in a related field; or an associate’s degree in early childhood education with a practicum noted on the transcript and enrollment in a bachelor’s program in early childhood education or a related field.
For staff approved under the study plan, complete the degree within five years, remain continuously enrolled each semester in an approved program, and provide enrollment and academic-progress documentation at the start and end of each semester.
For Lead Teacher I, meet one of the listed educational criteria: a bachelor’s degree in a related field of Child Psychology, Child Development, or Childhood Education, plus at least 12 Early Childhood Education credits.
For Lead Teacher II, hold a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and one of the listed NYSED teaching certifications.
For Lead Teacher III, hold a master’s degree in a related field of Child Psychology, Child Development, or Childhood Education, plus at least 12 Early Childhood Education credits.
For Lead Teacher IV, hold a master’s degree in early childhood education and one of the listed NYSED teaching certifications.
Comply with applicable health and safety requirements, including CPR/first aid, Child Abuse Mandate, Foundations for Health and Safety, Blood Borne Infection, and Mental Health First Aid certification requirements.
Support Children’s Aid’s mission and provide high-quality, inclusive learning environments that promote positive outcomes for all children.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting children with special needs.
Bilingual English and Spanish skills, written and verbal.
Current Pre-K or Toddler CLASS Reliability Certification.

Responsibilities

Promote the organization’s mission, vision, and core values and ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
Oversee additional teachers and volunteers in the classroom.
Promote high-quality teaching and learning that supports children’s school readiness.
Provide responsive care through individualized planning, instruction, and supervision.
Create an environment that supports trusting relationships and children’s growth and development.
Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, integrated curriculum that supports meaningful exploration.
Prepare and organize materials and resources for daily lessons, activities, and projects.
Set up and maintain an inviting learning environment, including learning centers and displays.
Conduct small-group activities under the Education Director’s guidance and monitor student progress.
Provide one-on-one support to students who need additional assistance.
Collaborate with the assisting teacher to implement individualized education plans and accommodate diverse abilities.
Reinforce classroom rules and expectations, support an inclusive environment, and address behavioral challenges using positive reinforcement and team guidance.
Support classroom technology integration, including educational software and technology-resource management.
Maintain accurate educational records and portfolios and conduct observations, screenings, and assessments.
Ensure children receive developmental and behavioral screening within the first 45 days and assessments in November, February, and May.
Document children’s development and request additional support from the Education Director through the internal referral process.
Encourage family involvement and communication through newsletters, bulletin boards, events, center-wide activities, and an open-door policy.
Facilitate family meetings when children have outstanding developmental or behavioral needs.
Participate in home visits, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and family days as required by the center and funding requirements.
Share program highlights and engage the online community through the Early Childhood Instagram committee.
Recruit families through tabling, school-community advertising, and recruitment events.
Collect, analyze, and report data on student progress and classroom activities; use findings to identify trends and improve instruction and student support.
Attend agency trainings, workshops, in-service days, and all-staff conferences; maintain certification requirements and proof of participation.
Support center growth through program-wide goal setting and individual and program self-assessment.
Complete required Early Childhood trainings and maintain active Aspire membership or a registered TEACH account linked to Children’s Aid.
Participate in self-assessment, reflection, coaching, video recording, and collaboration sessions.
Comply with licensing requirements, teacher-child ratios, and required health and safety certifications.
Maintain a safe and healthy environment consistent with CDC, DOHMH, and ECERS guidance and comply with privacy laws, including HIPAA.
Perform other related duties as assigned.