Early Education Lead Teacher

Casa de los Niños; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Casa de los Niños in Tucson seeks an Early Education Lead Teacher to build a cohesive teaching team, implement its curriculum, and manage day-to-day classroom operations from a Trauma-Informed perspective. The role focuses on developmentally appropriate practice aligned with Arizona standards and strong family engagement.

The position requires coursework in early childhood or related field, or professional credentials, plus a commitment to a culturally diverse environment and ongoing

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of child development and trauma-informed practice.
• Strong communication with children, guardians, and staff.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusive environments.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Must obtain and maintain Arizona fingerprint clearance.

Responsibilities

• Engage children with high-quality interactions to support social, cognitive, and emotional growth.
• Assess development in cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains and monitor progress.
• Use assessment results to inform lesson planning tailored to individual needs.
• Oversee safe, organized classroom environment and equipment.
• Maintain professional development plans and participate in required trainings.
• Attend team meetings and comply with licensing, accreditation and quality standards.
• Follow directions from Center Director and Assistant Director.
• Ensure center policies and state regulations are met.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Trauma-informed care

Diversity & inclusion

CPR & First Aid

Fingerprint clearance

Driver's license

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field

12 college credits in early childhood or related field or credentials (NAC/CDA/CCP)

High school diploma or GED + 6 months child care experience

Job description

Who We Are

Casa de los Niños is one of the most established and well respected non-profit organizations in Tucson. We have been helping kids and healing families since 1973. Our services include parent education classes, Foster Care, Parents As Teachers, Behavioral Health, and Nurse-Family Partnership Program!

Job Summary

Job Summary:

The Early Education Lead Teacher is responsible for developing a cohesive teaching team, implementing the curriculum, and managing the day-to-day operational activities of the classroom. In addition, coordinates the development and implementation of educational curriculum utilizing developmentally appropriate practice and the Arizona early learning standards through a Trauma-Informed perspective.

Essential Duties:

• Engages children through high quality interactions that encourage social, cognitive, and emotional growth and supports positive behavior management through positive guidance strategies set forth by organization.
• Assesses the cognitive/social/emotional/physical development of each child on an ongoing basis in order to monitor child development progress.
• Utilizes assessment results to inform lesson planning to meet the individual needs of the children.
• Oversees and maintains the physical environment to ensure the safety and security of children.
• Maintains a personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement and actively participates with quality rating and improvement goals.
• Attends team meetings and professional development training as required by organization, DHS licensing regulations, accreditation, and quality improvement standards.
• Follows the guidance and instruction of the Center Director and Assistant Director.
• Ensures all center policies and state regulations are met.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• One of the three following education and work experience requirements must be met to qualify:
  • High school diploma or GED and at least six months of child care experience,

or 12 college credits (with at least six in early childhood, child development, or a related field), or a NAC, CDA, or CCP credential.

• Associate degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a closely related field
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a closely related field

• A strong understanding of child development, as well as an understanding of the effects of trauma on development and the importance of social-emotional competency, is preferred.
• High energy and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, guardians, volunteers) and to foster a team environment.
• Must demonstrate an ability and to work with and respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population.
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with both children and adults and maintain frequent communication with guardians.
• Must possess the ability to work with children and families who have a history of trauma.
• Must be able to meet training and organization requirements for the position.
• Proof of immunization for rubella (measles) and rubella (German measles), or proof of MMR immunization and TDaP immunization (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) as well as a negative TB test.
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Certification required.
• Must be able to meet training and organization requirements for the position.
• Must foster an environment that is solution-focused, dedicated, and compassionate to support the organization's mission, values, and strategic direction.
• Must exhibit a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging contributions by all team members.
• Must possess or be able to qualify for and maintain a valid Arizona department of public safety level one fingerprint clearance card.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and be insurable under the organization's automobile policy.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• No

Level of Supervision:

• Moderate

Work Environment:

• Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.

Position Physical Demands:

• Occasional to moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.).
• Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.

Driving Requirements:

• May drive on behalf of the organization.
• 3 Year Motor Vehicle Report must be provided.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.