Lead Teacher

Kids for the Future; Ridgeside (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Job summary

Signal Centers is seeking a Lead Teacher to inspire young minds and shape foundational learning in a nurturing classroom. You will guide students and staff, foster family partnerships, and model high standards of practice.

The role emphasizes developmentally appropriate practices, differentiated instruction, and play-based learning with STEAM integration. You will mentor assistants, design engaging lessons, assess progress, and collaborate on curriculum.

Qualifications

• Holds an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Active, unexpired CDA certification; lead experience acceptable.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a licensed childcare or school setting.
• Demonstrates experience in team leadership or mentoring junior teaching staff.

Responsibilities

• Leads and mentors assistant teachers and support staff, providing direction and feedback to ensure high-quality instruction and classroom operations.
• Designs and implements engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans and curriculum aligned with educational standards.
• Applies Early Childhood Education and Child Development principles to create a holistic learning environment.
• Utilizes differentiated instruction strategies to meet diverse learning needs, including Special Education support.
• Manages the classroom with clear expectations and positive behavior management.
• Fosters creativity and critical thinking through play-based learning and STEAM activities.
• Integrates educational technology to enhance learning experiences.
• Conducts ongoing student assessments to monitor progress and inform instruction.
• Establishes and maintains open parent communication with regular updates on progress.
• Collaborates with colleagues to develop and refine curriculum development and implementation strategies.
• Ensures all activities adhere to developmentally appropriate practices and safety guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Differentiated instruction

Student engagement

STEAM activities

Educational technology

Parent communication

Collaboration

Play-based learning

Classroom management

Early childhood education

Special education

Education

Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Active CDA certification

Job description

• Location 109 N Germantown Rd,Chattanooga, TN, 37411,United States
• Job Category Early Childhood Education, Special Education
• Industry Special Education, Early Childhood Education
• Employee Type Regular Full Time Non-Exe
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Description

Signal Centers has been named one of the best employers to work for in TN and one of the best nonprofits to work for in the nation. Come see why people love working here!

About This Job

As a Lead Teacher, you inspire young minds and shape foundational learning experiences. You create a nurturing and dynamic classroom environment where every child thrives. This role is central to our educational mission, guiding both students and teaching staff to achieve their full potential. You lead by example, fostering a love for learning and building strong partnerships with families and colleagues.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and mentorsassistant teachers and support staff, providing work direction, feedback, and guidance to ensure high-quality instruction and classroom operations.
• Designs and implements engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans and curriculum that align with educational standards and foster student engagement.
• Applies principles of Early Childhood Education and Child Development to create a learning environment that supports holistic growth.
• Utilizes differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, including those requiring Special Education support.
• Manages the classroom effectively, establishing clear expectations and implementing positive behavior management techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning space.
• Fosters creativity and critical thinking through play-based learning and the integration of STEAM activities.
• Integrates educational technology to enhance learning experiences and supports student development.
• Conducts ongoing student assessment to monitor progress, inform instruction, and communicate effectively with parents.
• Establishes and maintains open and constructive parent communication, providing regular updates on student progress and fostering strong home-school connections.
• Collaborates with colleagues, administrators, and support staff to develop and refine curriculum development and curriculum implementation strategies.
• Ensures all classroom activities and practices adhere to developmentally appropriate practices and safety guidelines.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Holds an Associates or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field. Active, unexpired CDA certification, with prior Lead experience is also acceptable.

Experience

• Possesses a minimum of 3 years of experience in a licensed childcare or school setting.
• Demonstrates experience in team leadership or mentoring junior teaching staff.

Knowledge/Skills

• Exhibits strong knowledge of Child Development and Developmentally appropriate practices.
• Applies expertise in Classroom Management and positive Behavior Management techniques.
• Skilled in Differentiated Instruction and supporting students with diverse needs, including Special Education.
• Demonstrates excellent Parent Communication and Collaboration skills.
• Fosters Student Engagement through creativity, Play-based learning, and STEAM activities.
• Competent in Educational Technology Integration and Student Assessment.
• Understands and applies principles of Early Childhood Education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual English-Spanish Desirable

Core Values/Ethical Conduct:

• The ability to consistently model our Core Values of Accountability, Community Impact, Compassion, Trustworthiness, and Teamwork
• The ability to interact with staff, clients, management, community partners and funders in a respectful and professional manner.
• The ability to create and embrace new ideas and utilize creative problem solving with an eye to improve services and delivery methods.
• The ability to work cooperatively with staff, clients, management, funders and community partners.
• The ability to be wise, accountable, and careful with use of resources and time.
• The ability to conduct oneself with honesty, reliability, and fairness, holding to our code of ethics.

Working Here:

We believe in supporting our employees and their families as they journey throughout life. Our commitment to our full-time staff includes the following benefits:

• A competitive benefits package with health, vision, and dental coverage, HSA, Dependent Care FSA, group life insurance, Teladoc (telemedicine), EAP mental health resources, and short & long-term disability options.
• Up to 4% matching 401(k) employer contribution, plus a 3% base contribution.
• Generous paid time off to support work-life balance.
• Employee discounts on paid services

Our culture is important and we’ve included it in our strategic plan by creating goals which include creating a culture of belonging where everyone has what they need to succeed and thrive and investing in developing the next generation of leaders. Join us in our mission to create a community of lifelong independence, where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is nurtured. Together, we can make a difference.

Signal Centers is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to affirm the dignity and worth of every person in all that we do. It is, therefore, the policy of the organization to practice and ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all employees and to promote the full realization of this policy through all employment practices.