Lead Teacher: Inspire & Mentor Young Learners

Huntey's Clubhouse; Big Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Childcare tuition discount

Professional development opportunities

Growth and leadership development

Job summary

Huntey's Clubhouse in Michigan is seeking a Lead Teacher to guide a classroom, mentor assistant teachers, and maintain a high-quality early childhood environment. The role emphasizes intentional teaching, responsive caregiving, and positive relationships to support children's development.

The successful candidate will lead by example, communicate effectively, and collaborate with leadership to ensure consistency across classrooms while fostering a welcoming community for children and families.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 19 years of age and meet Michigan Child Care Licensing qualifications.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Pathway 1: 1,920 hours of licensed child care experience or CDA credential.
• MiRegistry-approved training: 3 hours in Program Management, Observation/Documentation/Assessment, Teaching & Learning; 6 hours in related areas.
• Pathway 2: 6 months / 960 hours of licensed child care experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support assistant teachers and classroom aides.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, and high-quality early childhood education.
• Provide guidance, feedback, and support to classroom staff.
• Foster a learning environment where families feel welcomed and engaged.
• Maintain a safe, engaging classroom and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
• Build relationships with children and families to support development and well-being.
• Mentor and develop other staff and participate in PD opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Early childhood education

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

MiRegistry-approved training

CPR and First Aid certification

Licensed child care experience

Job description

Lead Teacher

Huntey's Clubhouse, founded in 1995, grew from a single center into what is now an organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and care across multiple locations.

Our mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment where children thrive and families feel supported. We believe children learn best through meaningful relationships, engaging experiences, and responsive caregiving. Every member of our team plays a vital role in helping children develop confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

We thrive on a strong sense of community, and our teachers are at the heart of our success. We are looking for passionate educators who are dedicated to creating exceptional experiences for children, supporting families, and helping fellow team members grow and succeed.

Position Summary

As a Lead Teacher, you are the leader of your classroom and a key contributor to the success of our center. You will create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel secure, supported, and inspired to learn. Through intentional teaching, responsive caregiving, and positive relationships, you will guide children's development while mentoring assistant teachers and maintaining a high-quality learning environment.

This role combines leadership, education, caregiving, and collaboration. Successful Lead Teachers are positive role models who lead by example, communicate effectively, and create classrooms where children, families, and team members feel welcomed and valued.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership

• Lead, coach, and support Assistant Teachers and classroom aides to create a positive, collaborative classroom culture.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, flexibility, and a commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
• Provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback to classroom team members.
• Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable asking questions, seeking clarification, and growing professionally.
• Collaborate with leadership and fellow teachers to ensure consistency across classrooms and centers.

Nurturing Care and Child Development

• Build caring, nurturing relationships with each child through warm, responsive interactions.
• Provide emotional support, comfort, reassurance, and age-appropriate affection to help children feel safe and secure.
• Create a classroom culture that promotes kindness, confidence, independence, and respect.
• Model appropriate behavior, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and positive social interactions.
• Support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development through intentional teaching and everyday interactions.
• Recognize and respond to children's individual needs, interests, and developmental stages.

Curriculum and Learning Experiences

• Develop, implement, and evaluate engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with company standards and educational philosophy.
• Create meaningful learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, exploration, and problem-solving.
• Utilize observation and assessment to support children's developmental growth and individual learning goals.
• Adapt classroom activities and teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of all children.
• Promote learning through play, hands-on experiences, and child-led discovery.

Active Supervision and Classroom Management

• Maintain active supervision of children at all times to ensure safety and engagement.
• Interact with children throughout the day by joining play, facilitating learning opportunities, and communicating at the child's eye level.
• Reinforce classroom routines, schedules, and expectations in a positive and consistent manner.
• Guide behavior through positive redirection, relationship-building, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support indoor and outdoor learning experiences while ensuring children's safety and well-being.

Daily Care and Classroom Operations

• Ensure children's daily care needs are met with dignity, patience, and responsiveness.
• Support and oversee routines including diapering, potty training, handwashing, meal service, face and nose wiping, and other hygiene practices.
• Create a calm and comforting environment during rest and nap times.
• Maintain clean, organized, and welcoming classroom spaces.
• Ensure toys, materials, and learning environments are properly maintained, sanitized, and developmentally appropriate.

Family Partnerships

• Build trusting, professional relationships with families through consistent communication and collaboration.
• Share information regarding children's progress, achievements, milestones, and developmental needs.
• Partner with families to support children's learning, behavior, and overall well-being.
• Help create a welcoming environment where families feel valued, informed, and supported.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all licensing regulations, company policies, health standards, and safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate classroom records, documentation, and required reports.
• Identify and address safety concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous quality improvement.

Professional Growth

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Stay current on best practices in early childhood education and child development.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.
• Support center-wide initiatives, events, and quality improvement efforts.

Qualifications

Candidates must be at least 19 years of age and meet Michigan Child Care Licensing qualifications for the position.

Pathway 1

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One year (1,920 hours) of experience working in a licensed child care setting OR possession of a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

AND

• MiRegistry-approved training, including:
  • 3 hours in Program Management, Observation/Documentation/Assessment, and Teaching & Learning.
  • 6 hours in one or more of the following:
    • Interactions and Guidance
    • Challenging Behaviors
    • Trauma-Informed Practices

OR Pathway 2

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Six months (960 hours) of experience working in a licensed child care setting.

AND

• 6 semester hours, 9 CEUs, or 90 clock hours of coursework in:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Child Development
  • Child Care Administration
  • A child-related field

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass all Michigan Child Care Licensing background check requirements.
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain certification).
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to create a structured, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Ability to mentor and support other classroom staff.
• Physically able to engage with children throughout the day, including lifting up to 40 pounds, bending, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and participating in outdoor activities.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English with children, families, coworkers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. Must be able to read, write, and comprehend English sufficiently to complete required documentation, understand policies and procedures, and ensure the health and safety of children.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options (full-time team members).
• Paid time off (for all team member statuses)
• Holiday Pay (full-time team members).
• Health and wellness programs, including counseling services
• 50% childcare tuition discount for employees. Through participation in the TriShare program, eligible employee parents may pay as little as 33% of tuition costs.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Supportive leadership and collaborative team environment.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of children, families, and fellow educators every day.

Work Schedule

• Full-time opportunities available.
• Consistent weekly schedules.
• No weekends or major holidays.
• One monthly after-hours staff meeting.

Why Join Us?

Our Lead Teachers do more than manage classrooms—they shape experiences, build relationships, mentor future educators, and help children develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed. Every day brings opportunities to comfort a child, celebrate a milestone, inspire learning, support a family, and make a meaningful difference.

If you are passionate about early childhood education, committed to nurturing young learners, and excited about leading a classroom where children and teachers can thrive, we would love to meet you.