Head Teacher, Child Development Laboratories

MSU Human Development and Family Studies; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University Child Development Laboratory (HDFS) seeks a CDL Head Teacher to provide high-quality care for infants and toddlers and to lead developmentally appropriate education in a classroom setting.

Responsibilities include planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, supervising support staff, and overseeing MSU Lab students, with direct collaboration with HDFS faculty on grading and assignments.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education and CPR/First Aid certification is required.
• Experience supporting effective planning, organization, time management, and task management with strong communication skills.
• Ability to work with families and MSU Lab students; knowledge of NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate program.
• Oversee MSU Lab students and supervise support staff.
• Conduct conferences with current and prospective families.
• Maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Collaborate with HDFS faculty on grading and course integration.

Skills

Planning & organizing

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team supervision

Family collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education

CPR/First Aid certification

Job description

The CDL Head Teacher will work with infants and toddlers at the Michigan State University Child Development Laboratory in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. The Head Teacher will provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting, according to state licensing and credentialing requirements. Responsibilities include planning, implementing and evaluating a developmentally appropriate program, supervision of support staff, oversight of MSU Lab students in the classroom, including carrying out pre and post sessions, providing feedback on assignment implementation and working directly with HDFS faculty on grading, working with families, and the ability to maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

Distribution of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting, according to state licensing and credentialing requirements.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a developmentally appropriate program
• Work with current and prospective families, including arranging and conducting conferences
• Oversee the implementation of HDFS lab coursework in the classroom; working directly with students to connect lecture material to the classroom, observing lesson implementation, providing feedback, and working directly with the HDFS Instructor of Record on grading
• Maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
• Other tasks as assigned by Assistant Director

Working/Functional Title

CDL Head Teacher

Position Summary

The CDL Head Teacher will work with infants and toddlers at the Michigan State University Child Development Laboratory in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. The Head Teacher will provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting, according to state licensing and credentialing requirements. Responsibilities include planning, implementing and evaluating a developmentally appropriate program, supervision of support staff, oversight of MSU Lab students in the classroom, including carrying out pre and post sessions, providing feedback on assignment implementation and working directly with HDFS faculty on grading, working with families, and the ability to maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

Distribution of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality early care and education in a classroom setting, according to state licensing and credentialing requirements.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a developmentally appropriate program
• Work with current and prospective families, including arranging and conducting conferences
• Oversee the implementation of HDFS lab coursework in the classroom; working directly with students to connect lecture material to the classroom, observing lesson implementation, providing feedback, and working directly with the HDFS Instructor of Record on grading
• Maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
• Other tasks as assigned by Assistant Director

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Child Development or Early Childhood Ed.

Desired Degree

Other -Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field

Minimum Requirements

• A Masters degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field and CPR/First Aid certification is required.
• The candidate must also have demonstrated experience supporting individuals in developing effective planning, organization, time management, and task
• management, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Child and adult CPR and First Aid;
• ability to maintain professional conduct per NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct;
• experience providing childcare to children- birth to three years;
• knowledge of infant/toddler development and facilitation of growth and learning;
• ability to establish high quality relationships with children and families.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts
• List of 3 references

Review of Applications Begins On

07/30/2026

Summary of Physical Demands

Carrying and lifting children; picking children up from crib, seated position, and standing position. Getting up and down from the floor.

Summary of Health Risks

May come in contact with bodily fluids.

Website

HTTPS://HDFS.MSU.EDU/CDL

Department Statement

The MSU CDL serves children and families by providing a play-based curriculum influenced by such theorists as Vygotsky, Piaget, and Bronfenbrenner. We are able to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to promote development of the whole child. We do this by addressing development in the six domains. Our programs provide a continuity of interaction across classrooms through the use of social guidance techniques. The CDL welcomes children and families representing many languages, countries of origin, income levels, family structures, and ability levels. We value families as experts on their own children and collaborate with families to develop individually appropriate goals for children within the context of the classroom community. Families will find outstanding support from our staff as they learn to be advocates for their children through our programs.

MSU Statement

• Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.