Lead Teacher

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Wellbeing program

Paid holidays

Job summary

University of Minnesota in Saint Paul seeks a Lead Teacher to create an inclusive, developmentally appropriate classroom and to support emergent curriculum alongside other educators. You will lead and mentor assistant teachers, ensure high-quality learning experiences, and maintain strong family partnerships.

The role emphasizes collaboration, compliance with MN licensing standards, and ongoing assessment to tailor activities to each child’s development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 4,160 hours as an assistant teacher per MN licensing requirements.
• Within 90 days, 8 hours of approved first aid training and Infant CPR must be obtained.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds.
• Background fingerprint study and reference verification required.

Responsibilities

• Establish inclusive, professional, safe learning space in line with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC standards.
• Plan and implement a daily visible schedule of routines and activities.
• Maintain confidentiality of staff, children, and families as required by FERPA and licensing rules.
• Develop emergent curriculum and support teachers and student employees.

Skills

Inclusive environment

Collaboration

Effective communication

Curriculum planning

Classroom leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

4,160 hours as assistant teacher

First aid/Infant CPR within 90 days

Job description

About the Job

This position is responsible for a classroom of children, which includes establishing a learning environment that is inclusive and developmentally age-appropriate, developing emergent curriculum, supervising and monitoring child development, providing high-quality care, maintaining classroom materials, first aid, and daily health checks. The Lead Teacher also supports and advances the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Teacher works in collaboration with other educators to plan and implement a high-quality, responsive, enriching, and supportive learning environment that is respectful of each child's background, development, and needs. This includes collaborating with other lead teachers and providing direction for assistant teachers and student employees.

The weekly curriculum and learning experiences are rich with relational experiences designed to support the development of a range of social, emotional, self-help, language, literacy, cognitive, and motor skills and will align with the MN Early Childhood Indicators of Progress-ECIPS (Infant, Toddler, and Preschool).

This position is based on campus. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. The University offers employees over 75% FTE total rewards with meaningful benefits, including medical and dental, life insurance, retirement savings, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, and an award-winning Wellbeing Program. The starting hourly rate for this AFSCME-represented position is $24.57.

This is an AFSCME 4909 Bargaining Unit position. In-person work environment.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on September 16, 2026 and ends on September 22, 2026.

Hourly Rate: $24.57-$25.57/hr. Overtime eligible.

Monday-Friday: 8 hours a day. Hours each day will vary depending on the need of the department.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership (30 %)

• Establish and maintain an inclusive, professional, and safe learning space for children of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and developmental stages in compliance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards, as well as relevant federal laws (e.g., USDA, ADA/IDEA, EOAA).
• In conjunction with the other educators, plan and execute a consistent daily visible schedule of routines and activities.
• Conduct daily checks of the environment; assign, monitor, and follow up on the health and safety of the children and ensure that children are within sight and sound as per NAEYC and MN DHS Licensing (indoors and outdoors).
• Maintain and secure the confidentiality of information and records regarding staff, children, and families as mandated by the U of MN (e.g., FERPA, MN DHS-Licensing, MN Dept. of Ed., NAEYC accreditation and USDA, HIPAA, and ADA).
• Participate in ongoing reflection (monthly and yearly) on evaluation of the program and personal professional development, aligning with performance and job responsibilities.
• Support the onboarding and training for new employees and University students.

Curriculum (30 %)

• Plan and implement emergent curriculum for children in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.
• Use small groups, reflective practice, and observations for planning and implementing learning experiences.
• Plan and implement curriculum, centering the educational work with children on their emerging interests and on their learning in relationship with others in accordance with the CDLS Professional Practices.
• Develop the child's role as an integral member of their learning community through developing the child's self-image and competence.
• Prepare materials required for daily instruction for the children, ensuring they meet MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.

Documentation and Assessments (20 %)

• Through authentic observation, assess individual children's learning and development using the assigned assessment tool, Work Sampling, following MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Complete and maintain accurate documentation for Work Sampling compliance with the NAEYC standards, and anecdotal records on children. Provide required information to the Program Director when meeting established deadlines.
• Review assessments and documentation of children's learning to revisit, reflect, and extend emergent curriculum, investigations, and small group explorations.
• Update and extend documentation to reflect children’s work, processes, questions, and dialogues between the teacher to child, child-to-child, with encounters, investigations, and projects.

Communication (20 %)

• Establish effective partnerships with parents and reciprocal processes of ongoing communication.
• Maintain open verbal and written communication with parents regarding child development, behavior issues, parent education, and other child-related issues.
• Provide parents with ongoing informal and, twice a year, a formal overview of the child's learning experience and progress within the classroom community.
• Regularly communicate parent, child, and/or staff issues with the Program Director (i.e., concerned parents, scheduling questions, a child's behavior, or an employee's performance issues).
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers as children transition to different classrooms.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A combination of education, and teacher experience that meets State of MN Licensing Act, Rule 3 (9503.0032) requirements for Child Care Teacher, such as a high school diploma or the equivalent, at least 24 quarter credits (16 semester credits) in early childhood education from an accredited post‑secondary school, and 4,160 hours as an assistant teacher. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9503.0032/ for additional qualifications.
• Have or be willing to obtain within 90 days, 8 hours of approved first aid training and Infant CPR.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds and identities.
• Pass background fingerprint study and reference verification that meets the requirements of the State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 11.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to repeatedly perform each of the following:

• Physically supervise young children, protecting and preventing harm to them.
• Immediately respond to emergencies.
• Visually and aurally observe children in their environment.
• Bend, stoop, stand, reach, squat, sit (on the floor and/or child-size chairs).
• Carry and lift children weighing between 10-50 pounds.
• Push a 4-seat stroller while walking with children (infants and toddlers)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in providing daily care, developmentally appropriate education, and supervision of young children from a variety of backgrounds, identities, and communities.
• Ability to observe children and adapt curriculum based on their developmental needs and interests.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate an understanding of child development and best teaching practices.
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with colleagues, students, parents, and children in a professional manner.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize.

About the Department

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Rang: $24.57 - $25.57/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% App appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work‑life flexibility.