Preschool Lead Teacher 1 - $1,000 Sign On Bonus!

Launch • Seattle, WA

10h • Onsite

About The Position

Launch is seeking a Preschool Lead Teacher to provide a safe, caring, academically and socially enriching environment for preschool children. The role focuses on kindergarten readiness for children ages 3–5 and ensures activities are developmentally appropriate, follow curriculum guidelines, and address identified academic and developmental domains. In partnership with other Preschool Lead Teachers, the position plans and leads classroom activities using the HighScope program outline, documents observations and assessments in Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG), and communicates with families and stakeholders about children’s activities and progress.

The teacher maintains a clean and safe classroom, serves meals in accordance with applicable food-safety standards, supports positive behavior, completes required records and screenings, and participates in staff meetings and trainings. The role also supports kindergarten transitions and readiness programs. A $1,000 sign-on bonus is offered: $500 after the first month of employment and $500 after successful completion of 90 days.

Requirements

• Meet an education pathway: an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Child Development, or a related field; or an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college, verified in MERIT, and at least 20 ECE credits verified through MERIT. Up to 10 credits may be ECE-School Age hybrid credits.
• Have at least 30 approved quarter credits in ECE, verified through MERIT; up to 10 credits may be ECE-School Age hybrid credits.
• Have at least three years of experience working with preschool children ages 3–5, including behavior management and age-appropriate activity planning.
• Be able to lead staff in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Be able to problem-solve, think strategically, and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially.
• Exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Lead by example and demonstrate behavior consistent with Launch’s values, mission, and commitment to children, families, and employees.
• Collaborate with on-site educators, colleagues, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality on-site programs.
• Communicate effectively, professionally, and empathetically in writing and verbally.
• Be able to work in a normal office environment and perform regular walking, sitting, bending, twisting, standing, and reaching; regularly lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Have strong organizational skills, maintain a safe, clean, effectively managed worksite, and comply with confidentiality requirements for child, family, and employee information.
• Be proficient with appropriate software, including MS Office and Procare.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and enhance skills that promote equity and inclusion.
• Obtain and maintain criminal record clearance, TB clearance, a Food Worker Card, First Aid/CPR certification, Blood Borne Pathogens/HIV training, Mandated Reporter Training, and an MMR vaccination record before hire; attend any required training.
• After hire, complete Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families trainings in Medication Management, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness, Families Experiencing Homelessness, and Abusive Head Trauma.
• Complete the STARS Basic 30-hour Child Care course within one month of hire.
• Complete Teaching Strategies Gold Interrater Reliability (IRR) certification within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Partner with other Preschool Lead Teachers to plan and lead classroom activities focused on kindergarten readiness for children ages 3–5.
• Plan, prepare, implement, and clean up activities and projects using the HighScope program outline.
• Enter weekly observations and complete quarterly assessments in Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG).
• Provide positive behavior guidance.
• Adapt to recommendations from coaches and leadership and to changing trends in early childhood education.
• Maintain the appearance and cleanliness of the center, including cleaning up after activities.
• Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to Department of Health food-safety standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Communicate with parents, site leadership, and other stakeholders about classroom activities, observations, and children’s progress.
• Prepare and schedule parent/teacher conferences.
• Complete required reports and assessments, including observations, attendance (DATTs), health screenings, and developmental screenings.
• Use daily planning time to prepare developmentally appropriate student activities.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and required trainings, including State and Registry Service workshops.
• Complete kindergarten transition forms and support kindergarten readiness programs.
• Enforce general center safety rules.
• Apply first aid, perform CPR, complete incident reports, and use other health, safety, or life-saving procedures as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• $1,000 sign-on bonus, with $500 paid after the first month of employment and $500 upon successful completion of 90 days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree