Preschool Lead Teacher

Chslearn; Elizabethtown (Lancaster County); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning is seeking a Lead Teacher to implement and support the early childhood curriculum and assessment, engage families, and lead the daily education program. This role reports to the Assistant Director and participates in a six-month onboarding program, Seeds to Lead, for new educators.

The center plans to open in Summer 2027, with an anticipated start date of 01/05/2027.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in ECE or related field; bachelor's preferred.
• PA List C certification in ECE Career Pathway preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role.
• Familiar with NAEYC standards and PBIS preferred.
• Experience engaging with families and guiding classroom teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and implement classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes and routines.
• Enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-appropriate activities.
• Supervise and provide a safe, nurturing environment for children.
• Engage families in classroom experiences and communicate regularly with them.
• Collaborate with teaching teams to develop coaching plans for professional development.
• Maintain compliance with state licensing health and safety requirements.
• Complete program documentation and reports accurately and timely.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Family engagement

MS Office proficiency

Leadership and teamwork

Communication with families

Education

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education

PA List C certification (preferred)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

The Lead Teacher at CHS is an individual passionate about education, and excited about working with children to further their educational and emotional growth. The Lead Teacher enjoys being in the classroom and creating a love of learning. This individual is responsible for implementing and supporting the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child's family culture. This individual is responsible for directing and leading in planning and implementing the daily education program for children. The Lead Teacher reports to the Assistant Director and gives them information should a risk or issue arise. The salary range for this position is $53,565 to $59,516 based on expertise.

Candidate review and selection is currently underway for this position. The anticipated start date for the position is 01/05/2027.

As part of their employment, successful candidates will participate in Seeds to Lead, CHS's six-month pre-opening professional learning program. This structured onboarding and paid professional experience equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on practice needed to confidently implement the CHS model to fidelity from day one when the center opens.

The center is expected to begin operations in the Summer of 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Preparing and implementing classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines/schedules
• Enhancing social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-specific manipulatives, activities, and language experiences for children
• Supervising and providing a safe, nurturing environment for children
• Including children and families in the development of classroom experiences, rotate materials, and prepare instructional resources/materials for classroom activities in a timely manner
• Supporting children's self-help skills and development
• Ensuring general classroom management, organization, cleanliness, and maintenance
• Caring for safety and hygiene of children
• Maintaining daily communication with families using multiple channels of communication
• Meeting and communicating with families during designated conference times and as necessary
• Collaborating and engaging in a teaming environment with Associate Teachers and Assistant Teachers serving as the leader of the classroom team
• In collaboration with the Curriculum & Instruction Coaches, developing a coaching plan to inform professional development and learning
• Remaining compliant with all state licensing requirements as they pertain to health, safety, and professional requirements
• Ensuring all required program documentation and reports are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner
• Acting as a role model for child development
• Maintaining confidentiality as it pertains to program, staff, and families

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education (Bachelor's Degree Preferred)
• List C certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway (preferred)
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role
• Experience and knowledge in Early Childhood Education program and teaching standards, including code of ethics - NAEYC standards preferred
• Familiar with inquiry-based and project approach learning, as well as PBIS strategies preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families preferred
• Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and /or willingness to learn
• Excels at engaging with parents/caregivers, including initiating discussions when necessary+
• Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
• Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, and educate teams
• Ability to physically interact with children (e.g., talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, etc.) and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
• Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students
• U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who we are and what we’re looking for

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

At Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, we nurture children, support them in discovering their world, and help them grow to reach their fullest potential. We are passionate educators, caregivers, and role models dedicated to successful early childhood development. We believe that a rich and solid foundation, along with a nurturing and supportive environment, is critical to helping children grow. We focus on the whole child, helping them flourish in mind and body. And we set them on a path to become their strongest, brightest, and best selves in school and beyond.

Catherine Hershey’s dream was to provide children with a well-rounded education. That dream lives on in her name and is our mission at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and are staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law (collectively “Protected Characteristics”), against any applicant for admission, enrolled children, or any other individual(s) who participate(s) in the programs, services, and activities at our Centers.