Early Learning Lead Teacher

Description

• Starting August 2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Early Learning Director, the Early Learning Lead Teacher is responsible for developing, planning, and implementing quality programming and support to the Director. The Lead Teacher’s duties include supervising staff and curriculum implementation in the Infant/Toddler or Preschool classrooms. Provide a developmentally appropriate program that ensures the participants’ safety and fosters children’s social/emotional, physical, and mental growth in accordance with mission and policies of the YMCA of East Tennessee and Department of Human Services (DHS). In addition, every position in the YMCA of East Tennessee is responsible for upholding the Judeo-Christian principles that are central to our mission by modeling behaviors that exemplify the Y’s core values - caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Implements strategies developed by supervisor that support enrollment of new members and retention of existing members. Creates a member-focused culture and models’ relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions. Fosters a climate of innovation and resolves problems to ensure member satisfaction.

2. Must have a thorough knowledge of center philosophy; policies, TDHS licensing, TNELDS, ITERS/ECERS criteria, and the ability to positively communicate them to co-workers, parents, and community.

3. Supervision of teacher assistants daily record keeping e.g., CACFP, attendance, child’s daily reports.

4. Assist in training and development of staff; maintain individual training plan for individual staff that meets DHS 3-Star standards.

5. Work directly with the Early Learning Director in developing programming, planning and overseeing daily activities, scheduling, lesson plans and general program operations.

6. Plans and promotes monthly family engagement activities that support the development of the whole child.

7. Promote the program throughout the year.

8. Attends all required staff meetings and trainings, conducts on-site staff meetings regularly.

9. Follows all Y policies, rules, regulations and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures. Completes incident and accident reports as necessary.

10. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly or indirectly manages and supervise Teacher Assistances’, substitute staff, and volunteers at assigned child preschool site. Responsibilities include; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, training, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and conflict resolution. Is responsible for the direction, coordination, and evaluations of this unit. Monitors daily operation to adhere to all Y health and safety standards and policies.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Must have high school diploma or GED. Associates Degree or higher is preferred. Must have 1-3 years supervisory experience and strong supervisory skills. Must have good organizational skills and task oriented. Must possess necessary skills in working with the general public as well as professionals in the school system. Experience working with DHS licensed child care/early child care agency is highly preferred. Y Team Leader certification preferred. Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Frequently required to talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and use hands and fingers. Employee may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of children or employees of the organization.

DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING:

The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. We do not discriminate against, and welcome all ages, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, COURSES:

• Required DHS Training Courses; required to complete before starting work, provided by the Y.
• CPR/First Aid; required to complete and receive certification within 60 days of hire, provided by the Y.
• New Employee Orientation; required to complete prior to starting work. Provided by the Y.
• Additional training, licenses, and courses may be required throughout employment.

The YMCA of East Tennessee is an equal opportunity employment employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.