Lead Teacher

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 27,207 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement 403(b) Plan with employer contributions

Education Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington is seeking a dedicated Preschool Teacher in Yakima, WA. This role requires creating a nurturing and engaging classroom for preschool-aged children. Responsibilities include implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining relationships with families. Ideal candidates will possess an Associate degree and have experience in Early Childhood education.

This full-time position offers a wage range of $19.75 to $23.00 hourly based on experience, along with a range of benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Qualifications

• 3 or more years experience in teaching in Early Childhood programs.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication.
• Use of good judgment and maintain confidentiality of children and families.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, nurturing classroom environment.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Maintain positive relationships with children and families.

Skills

Communication skills

Classroom management

Experience with children

Trauma-informed practices

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development (preferred)

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: Yakima, WA 98908
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: Associate Degree
• Salary Range: $19.75 - $23.00 Hourly
• Travel Percentage: None
• Job Shift: Day

The Preschool Teacher creates a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment that supports the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschool‑aged children. This position plans and implements developmentally appropriate learning activities, maintains positive relationships with children and families, and ensures compliance with program requirements. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children who exhibit challenging behaviors and will use positive behavior support strategies, strong classroom management skills, and trauma‑informed practices to help all children succeed.

Responsibilities

• Through the use of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies plan and provide activities and experiences supporting children’s health, education and social emotional development.
• Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achievers quality standards, and ECEAP if applicable.
• Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage an individualized approach to the developmental level and learning style of each child.
• Prepare daily activity plans and insure progress towards individual child goals.
• Submit weekly lesson plans to the Early Learning Content Specialist.
• Support ongoing assessment by observing, and documenting daily individual and group needs, interests, and skills based on Teaching Strategies assessment process.
• Foster a positive emotional climate in the classroom based on licensing standards.
• Provide guidance and support through positive interactions between children and adults.
• Maintain an atmosphere that encourages open communication with children and adults through back and forth conversations, warm, nurturing tones, and being down at the child’s level.
• Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non‑verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
• Create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.
• Complete quarterly parent/teacher conferences according to program timelines and content required by ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
• Document parent/teacher conferences according to program policy and procedure.
• Communicate with parents through various platforms and methods (in person, phone calls, emails, Class Dojo, Teaching Strategies, parent newsletters).
• Communicate with parents regarding classroom to classroom transitions, as applicable.
• Record Keeping: Complete and submit accurate Counts and Attendance reports.
• Appropriately supervise and delegate duties to classroom staff, initiate training and encourage teamwork among adults in the room and center.
• Approve timesheets and time off requests for assigned classroom teacher assistants.
• Complete 6‑month and annual performance evaluation for assigned classroom teacher assistants.
• Meet regularly for supervision check‑ins with assigned employees.
• Maintain inventory and upkeep of classroom supplies and materials.
• Report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor and Facilities Manager.
• Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoors and outdoor learning environment through the use of the Safety and Sanitation Checklist.
• Apply health standards and care for the children and classroom according to licensing and ECEAP standards.
• Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
• Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, lead teacher meetings, teacher learning groups and other assigned meetings as required.
• Assist in orientating and training new employees.
• Participate in Center activities and other duties as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs or performing other work requiring medium physical exertion, talking and hearing, and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements (up to 95% of the time).

Non‑Physical Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development or early Childhood Education, preferred.
• Associate degree in early childhood education or related field, required or on a DCYF approved professional development plan.

Experience

• 3 or more years’ experience in teaching in Early Childhood program.

Special Skills

• Demonstrate professional and effective verbal and written communication.
• Use of good judgment.
• Basic computer skills.
• Supervision of adults, classroom planning and management skills.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid First Aid and CPR.
• Valid Food Handlers Card.

Employment Conditions

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required.

Wage Range

$19.75 to $23 hourly, depending on experience and education.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7am to 4pm.

Benefits

• 7 paid holidays, 1 paid Personal Day, 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year.
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities.
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment.
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment.
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death &dd, critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft.
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools.
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.