Universal Pre-K Lead Teacher

Universal Prekindergarten Lead Teacher

The Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for four-year-old children enrolled in the Universal Prekindergarten program. The Lead Teacher plans and implements curriculum aligned with New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards while supporting children's social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, and creative development.

The Lead Teacher provides leadership within the classroom, collaborates with assistant teachers and support staff, builds positive relationships with families, and ensures compliance with all New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Universal Prekindergarten, and program requirements. The Lead Teacher serves as the primary coordinator of classroom curriculum, child assessment, family communication, and school readiness experiences. This is a FT 10 month position.

Responsibilities and Duties

Child Development and Learning

• Provide a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment that supports the development of all children.
• Foster children's social-emotional growth through positive guidance, relationship-building, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support children's development across all learning domains, including language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative arts, physical development, and approaches to learning.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to children's developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

Curriculum and Learning Environment

• Use ongoing observation, documentation, and reflection to identify children's interests, strengths, questions, and developmental needs.
• Develop curriculum experiences that emerge from children's play, investigations, and interactions while aligning with New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards.
• Facilitate long-term projects, inquiry-based learning experiences, and opportunities for collaborative problem-solving.
• Document children's learning through photographs, work samples, written observations, and classroom displays that make learning visible to children and families.
• Encourage children's curiosity, creativity, independence, and sense of agency by providing opportunities for choice, exploration, and meaningful participation in classroom experiences.
• Create environments that serve as the "third teacher," intentionally designing spaces that promote engagement, discovery, and social interaction.

Assessment and Documentation

• Observe, document, and assess children's development and learning using approved assessment tools and program requirements.
• Maintain accurate records related to attendance, assessments, developmental progress, and required program documentation.
• Use assessment data to inform curriculum planning, individualized instruction, and family conferences.
• Complete developmental screenings and progress reports in accordance with program expectations.

Family Engagement

• Establish positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding children's learning, development, and classroom experiences.
• Conduct family conferences and participate in family engagement activities and events.
• Collaborate with families to support children's growth and successful transition to kindergarten.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Classroom Leadership and Team Collaboration

• Provide guidance and support to assistant teachers, aides, floaters, substitutes, and related service providers assigned to the classroom.
• Foster a collaborative and respectful classroom team environment.
• Model professionalism and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Participate in curriculum planning, team meetings, and program improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with administration and colleagues to support program goals and quality improvement efforts.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all OCFS regulations, Universal Prekindergarten requirements, and program policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment.
• Conduct required health and safety checks and documentation.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and follow established procedures.
• Participate in emergency drills, trainings, and required safety procedures.
• Administer medication only when properly trained and authorized in accordance with program policies and regulations.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and professional development activities as required.
• Maintain all required certifications and professional credentials.
• Complete all OCFS training requirements and annual professional development requirements.
• Participate in program-wide events, family programs, and special activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the ECE Director or Assistant Director.