Lead 3-K Teacher — Nurturing, DOE-Aligned Classrooms

The Learning Experience; New York (NY); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniforms

Paid time off

Training & development

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Learning Experience – Astoria, NY is seeking a qualified, passionate 3-K Lead Teacher to join our team for the upcoming school year. This full-time, school-year position offers a September 1, 2026 start with an annual salary range of $56,000–$68,000 based on credentials and DOE scale.

We welcome experienced early childhood educators who can create a warm, engaging classroom that supports development across social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field required.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children, preferably in a 3-K, Pre-K, or early childhood classroom.
• Strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to create and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences.
• Strong classroom management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Familiarity with NYC DOE 3-K expectations, curriculum, assessments, and documentation is strongly preferred.
• NYS teaching certification and/or additional credentials are a plus and may impact placement on the applicable salary scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate 3-K classroom.
• Plan and implement meaningful learning experiences aligned with program and DOE expectations.
• Support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and creative development.
• Maintain classroom documentation, assessments, portfolios, and other required records.
• Establish consistent classroom routines and a positive learning environment.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with families regarding their child's development and classroom experience.
• Collaborate with school leadership, support staff, and fellow teachers.
• Maintain all classroom and program requirements in accordance with DOE, DOHMH, and school policies.

Skills

Early childhood development

Classroom management

Lesson planning

Family communication

Education

Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Benefits:

• Free uniforms
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts

The Learning Experience – Astoria, NY
Full-Time | 2026–2027 School Year | Immediate Opening
Salary: $56,000–$68,000 annually, based on education, certification, credentials, and applicable pay scale

Make an Impact During the Years That Matter Most

Are you an early childhood educator who believes learning should be engaging, meaningful, joyful, and developmentally appropriate?

The Learning Experience of Astoria is looking for a passionate and qualified 3-K Lead Teacher to join our team for the 2026–2027 school year.

We are looking for more than someone to simply lead a classroom. We want an educator who is excited to build relationships with children and families, create memorable learning experiences, and help our youngest learners develop the confidence, curiosity, independence, and social-emotional skills they will carry with them throughout their education.

If you love early childhood education and want to be part of a supportive, collaborative school community, we would love to meet you!

What You'll Do

As our 3-K Lead Teacher, you will take ownership of your classroom while working alongside a supportive school leadership team. Your responsibilities will include:

• Creating a warm, welcoming, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn
  
  
• Planning and implementing hands-on, play-based, developmentally appropriate learning experiences
  
  
• Supporting children's growth across all developmental areas, including social-emotional, language, cognitive, physical, and creative development
  
  
• Establishing positive classroom routines and expectations that encourage independence and confidence
  
  
• Observing children's development and maintaining required assessments, portfolios, documentation, and classroom records
  
  
• Building strong, professional relationships with families and keeping them connected to their child's learning and development
  
  
• Collaborating with fellow teachers, support staff, and school leadership
  
  
• Maintaining classroom and program requirements in accordance with NYC DOE, DOHMH, and school policies
  
  
• Bringing creativity, enthusiasm, patience, and positivity into the classroom each day
  
  

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field
  
  
• Experience working with preschool-aged children
  
  
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices
  
  
• Ability to develop engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences
  
  
• Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills
  
  
• A genuine passion for working with young children and supporting their growth
  
  

Preferred:

• Previous experience in a 3-K, Pre-K, or early childhood classroom
  
  
• Familiarity with NYC DOE 3-K curriculum, expectations, assessments, and documentation
  
  
• NYS teaching certification and/or additional early childhood credentials
  
  

Certification, credentials, and experience may impact placement on the applicable salary scale.

Compensation

$56,000–$68,000 annually

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, certification, credentials, experience, and applicable DOE/pay scale requirements.

Why Join Our Astoria Team?

We believe great classrooms begin with great teachers.

At The Learning Experience of Astoria, we want our educators to feel supported, respected, and valued while having the opportunity to do meaningful work with children and families. You'll join a collaborative team that understands how important early childhood educators are and the impact a wonderful teacher can have on a child's first school experience.

This is an immediate opening for the 2026–2027 school year, and we are actively interviewing qualified candidates.

Ready to Find Your Next Classroom?

If you're an enthusiastic early childhood educator looking for a school where you can teach, create, connect, and make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today! Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.