Early Education Lead Teacher

Position: Early Education Lead Teacher
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Salary: $40,000-48,000

ABOUT KING STREET CENTER

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and families in our community? King Street Center is a vibrant nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity. Located in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. Through a variety of programs ranging from Mentoring, Teen, K-5 and our 5-STAR Head Start Early Childhood Program, we aim to foster resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging in those we serve. Especially important to us is that we do this work with an equity lens and incorporate the vision and voice of our youth into our programming. 

As we continue to grow and expand our reach, we are seeking dedicated individuals who are enthusiastic about our mission. Join our team and become part of a community-driven organization committed to creating positive change. Together, we can support the next generation and build a brighter future for all. Apply now to be a part of something truly meaningful at King Street Center!

We encourage applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, and welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Experience or commitment to working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds. We consider it an asset for candidates to have an awareness of cultural norms and to speak languages common among the population we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a discrimination – and harassment-free workplace.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Teachers support children in the social/emotional and academic learning process while providing an environment of mutual respect. Lead Teachers are part of a collaborative team that is committed to the health and well-being of all children and families. They demonstrate a commitment to principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead Teacher

• Design and implement curriculum that meet the needs of the children based on learning through play, utilizing the researched-based Creative Curriculum.

• Adjust teaching and provide appropriate support to meet needs of individual children.

• Plan a program that is balanced in regard to active and quiet play, child directed and teacher directed, indoor and outdoor.

• Mentor classroom interns and volunteers.

All Teachers

• Build positive relationships with children and their families.

• Attend to the care, safety, and well being of children using Active Supervision.

• Establish and teach behavior expectations.

• Demonstrate knowledge of good teaching practices and child development; continue professional learning through workshops and exchange of ideas with other programs.

• Open, close, set up, and clean up the classroom on a daily basis.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in this position, nor does every position necessarily require these duties.

RELATIONSHIPS & ROLES

• Officially reports to the Early Education Director.

• Mentor and support Assistant Teachers and Teacher Aides.

• Interacts with other KSC program staff, visiting educators, community service providers, transportation providers, special educators, and medical professionals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to be self-motivated, energetic and enthusiastic.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers, people from collaborating agencies and the general public.

• Ability to problem solve.

• Ability to work with others in a team environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (or at least 30 college credits with early childhood focus) and at least 12 months experience working with groups of children from grade 3 or younger. 

• One to three years experience in:

  • Designing, and implementing curriculum

  • Teaching in an early childhood program or working with children

  • Meeting children’s emotional and behavioral needs

  • Handling complex issues with families

  • Working with other professionals to deal with educational challenges

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS OF WORK

Work is conducted primarily inside, with daily outdoor playground activities as weather permits. Must be able to walk distances to neighborhood sites and participate in gross motor activities. Must be able to participate in children’s activities that involve sitting, standing, grasping, touching, pushing, pulling, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Must be able to handle the stress and tension that contact with children and parents bring every day. Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.

Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasional interaction with children and families exhibiting some instability in their behavior. Some potential for risks to physical safety and security of facility.

Full-Time employee benefits include: 

• CTO (Combined Time Off): Vacation, personal, and sick days are combined into a single time-off bank. Accrual rates vary based on hours worked and years of service, with carryover of up to 20 hours of unused CTO annually.

• Leave Benefits: Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays, three floating holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, military, and voting leave.

• Parental Leave: Six weeks of full salary provided for birthing and non-birthing parents following birth or adoption.

• Medical Benefits: Health insurance offered with 75% paid by King Street Center for specific plans.

• Vision & Dental Insurance: Employee paid vision and dental insurance available

• Disability & Life Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage provided, with 100% premiums paid by King Street Center. $25,000 life insurance coverage also provided.

• Retirement: Eligibility for participation in a 403b retirement plan with discretionary contributions from King Street Center.

• EAP (Employee Assistance Plan): Confidential counseling and referral services provided, fully paid by King Street Center.

• Healthy Living Allocation: $250 annual reimbursement for expenses promoting healthy living, such as sports equipment or gym memberships.

• Staff planning days and professional development opportunities.
  

TO APPLY

Email stacy@kingstreetcenter.org to tell us about your interest in this position, your availability, and your experience working with children. Please include a resume, cover letter, and three references.