Preschool Lead Teacher

Jewish Community Center of Youngstown; Youngstown (OH); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is seeking a Preschool Teacher to guide preschoolers through activities that support social, physical, and intellectual growth in alignment with ELDS and Ohio licensing standards.

This role emphasizes a child-first philosophy, close collaboration with parents and co-teachers, and ongoing professional development to foster a caring, engaging learning environment for every child.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED; CDA preferred.
• CDA or college degree in related field preferred.
• Must pass FBI/BCI background check within required timeframe.
• First Aid/CPR and other certifications to be completed within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Lead a safe, clean classroom where children can learn and explore.
• Plan activities to support physical, social, and cognitive development.
• Observe and assess children's progress and health.
• Develop lesson plans using Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold and ELDS.
• Collaborate with parents to tailor experiences for each child.
• Work with co-teachers to maintain a safe classroom.
• Ensure compliance with Ohio licensing and Step Up To Quality.
• Complete required Ohio PD hours annually.
• Greet arriving children and help them settle in.

Skills

Classroom management

ELDS knowledge

Observation & assessment

Parent communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

CDA or related degree preferred

Tools

Curriculum planning tools

Teaching Strategies Gold

ELDS familiarity

Job description

Hours: 8:45-4:45 The Preschool Teacher will contribute to the mission, vision, and values of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation by instructing preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school in preschool, day care center, or other child development facility. We are a center that follows a “Child First” philosophy, meaning that all decisions and actions are done with the child’s best interests in mind, and all efforts are made to give each child a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose.

• Lead and maintain a safe, clean, and caring classroom where children are free to learn and explore.
• Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development that align with the Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS).
• Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health, both in a group setting and also as individuals.
• Create, prepare, and implement innovative lesson plans through Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold and the Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS).
• Work closely with parents and guardians to develop a meaningful experience for each child.
• Work closely, effectively, and professionally with your room’s co and/or assistant teachers to provide a safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Maintain your classroom, paperwork, and procedures according to Ohio licensing and Step Up To Quality regulations and guidelines.
• Perform various classroom and environmental rating scale assessments throughout each year.
• Complete the required number of Ohio Approved Professional Development hours every biennium (ELC requires 10 hours yearly).
• Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
• Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
• Uphold and act according to the Child First philosophy stated in the description.
• Complete all other tasks assigned by supervisors.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required. CDA or college degree (Associates, Bachelors etc) in a related field is preferred. Certifications which include First Aid, CPR, Child Neglect, and Communicable Diseases to be completed within the first 90 days of employment. Candidates must be able to pass an FBI/BCI background check.