Lead Teacher

Reach For Your Potential, Inc.; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Reach For Your Potential, Inc. in Iowa City is seeking a Lead Teacher to provide high-quality care and education for children, designing routines and curricula and modeling best practices for staff.

The role involves supervising assistants, ensuring health and safety, and maintaining accurate records to support developmental progress for each child. A collaborative team player with strong communication is essential, along with ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must score at least 100 points under Iowa’s point system, with at least 20 points stemming from related experience, and at least 20 points stemming from related education.
• High school diploma or GED minimum requirement; additional training, CDA, or related degree preferred.
• One to two years’ experience in a childcare setting is strongly preferred.
• Currently hold or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Ability to meet and maintain certification through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as a Child Care Lead Teacher.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (at least 12 hours per year).

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement routines and curricula aligned with Iowa regulations and best practices in early childhood education.
• Provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel valued, safe, and cared for.
• Engage children in activities (games, stories, art, math, science, dramatic play) to support growth.
• Communicate positively with children, fostering interpersonal skills and perspectives.
• Supervise and model classroom routines and practices for other team members.
• Maintain attendance, health, incident, and progress records with accuracy and discretion.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDA or related degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Lead Teacher

Salary Range: $14.50 To $16.50 Hourly

REPORTS TO: Onsite Supervisor or Center Director REVISION DATE: 10/2025

POSITION SUMMARY

The Teacher is responsible for providing high quality care and education for children in their classroom in compliance with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services regulations. This role involves designing and implementing routines and curricula, fostering children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth, and modeling appropriate practices for classroom team members, including assistant teachers and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plan and implement routines and curricula that align with Iowa’s regulations, developmental guidelines, and best practices in early childhood education.
• Provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children feel valued, safe, and cared for.
• Engage children in appropriate activities such as games, stories, art, math, science, and dramatic play that aid their growth and developmental progress.
• Communicate positively and respectfully with children, honoring their perspectives and fostering strong interpersonal skills.
• Support children’s social and emotional development by guiding interpersonal exchanges, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Provide appropriate supervision and model effective classroom routines and practices for other team members.
• Help keep children healthy and safe by following sanitary routines, health guidelines, emergency procedures, and state regulations.
• Monitor children for signs of sickness or distress and promptly notify the Child Care Center Director or Onsite Supervisor.
• Support proper hand washing, toileting routines, rest periods, and meal routines in compliance with state regulations.
• Accurately and thoroughly maintain children’s attendance, incident, health, observation, and progress records.
• Preserve discretion and confidentiality with children’s and families’ information in compliance with Iowa regulations.
• Communicate effectively with team members, collaborate to provide high-quality care for children, and foster a cohesive team atmosphere.
• Provide guidance and training to assistant teachers and classroom aides in delivering care and education.
• Serve as a lead person within the classroom and contribute to ongoing improvement and policy implementation in consultation with supervisors.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must score at least 100 points under Iowa’s point system, with at least 20 points stemming from related experience, and at least 20 points stemming from related education.
• High school diploma or GED minimum requirement; additional training, Child Development Associate (CDA), or related degree preferred.
• One to two years’ experience in a childcare setting is strongly preferred.
• Currently hold or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Ability to meet and maintain certification through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as a Child Care Lead Teacher.

Other Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. and move frequently to respond to children’s needs.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reliable, flexible, passionate about working with children.
• Mandatory reporter training for child abuse in Iowa (required within 30/90 days of employment).
• Successful background checks (criminal, fingerprint) and physical exam.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (at least 12 hours per year).

Continuing Professional Development

Training

• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development (at least 12 hours per year), in compliance with Iowa regulations.
• Staying up to date with current practices in childcare and education.

Physical Qualifications

• Position requires constant lifting, twisting, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching. Pushing and pulling may be required. Frequently exposed and subject to changes in temperature and humidity, vapor, fumes, odors and infectious disease conditions.
• Must be able to routinely lift 30-50 pounds.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

Must be able to operate computer and other office machines such as calculator, telephone, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be called upon to work overtime or odd schedules. Typically works in in the classroom. This position requires proficient organizational and communication skills. Must be able to perform several tasks at one time. This job requires the individual to be able to read, write and communicate with a diverse set of staff, children, youth, and parents/guardians.