Description:

Lead Teacher

Xiente | Children Center | Philadelphia, PA
Job Type: Full-Time | In-Person
Pay: $27.00 per hour

Xiente is seeking a passionate, experienced, and dedicated Lead Teacher to join our Children Center team in Philadelphia.

As a Lead Teacher, you will play an essential role in creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where young children can develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

The ideal candidate is an Early Childhood Education professional who brings strong classroom leadership, creativity, organization, and a genuine commitment to helping children and families succeed.

Compensation

$27.00 per hour

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership & Child Development

• Create and maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Provide consistent classroom routines that encourage children's independence, confidence, and positive social interactions.
• Support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
• Use positive guidance and behavior-support strategies to establish clear expectations and promote a positive classroom environment.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to children's individual developmental and learning needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and engaging classroom.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with Head Start curriculum expectations and early childhood learning standards.
• Create engaging learning experiences that promote early literacy, mathematics, science, creativity, problem-solving, language development, and fine and gross motor skills.
• Adapt classroom activities and instructional strategies to meet children's individual needs, abilities, and developmental levels.
• Encourage learning through exploration, play, interaction, and structured educational activities.
• Collaborate with teaching staff to plan classroom activities, learning experiences, and program events.

Assessment & Documentation

• Observe, assess, and document children's developmental and educational progress.
• Use observations and assessment information to help individualize classroom instruction.
• Maintain accurate and organized records, including attendance, assessments, progress documentation, and other required classroom records.
• Communicate children's progress, development, and classroom experiences appropriately with families and relevant team members.
• Complete required classroom documentation within established program timelines.

Individualized Student Support

• Identify and respond to children's individual developmental and educational needs.
• Provide appropriate classroom support for children with different learning abilities and developmental needs.
• Collaborate with families, staff, and appropriate support professionals to promote children's development and success.
• Help create an inclusive classroom where all children are encouraged to participate, learn, and develop.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build positive and professional relationships with children and families.
• Maintain respectful and consistent communication with parents and guardians regarding children's progress and classroom experiences.
• Partner with families to support children's learning and development.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers, leadership, families, and community partners.
• Demonstrate professionalism and cultural sensitivity when working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Compliance & Safety

• Follow applicable Head Start program requirements, state regulations, and licensing standards.
• Maintain appropriate health, safety, and supervision practices throughout the school day.
• Follow organizational policies, classroom procedures, and required documentation practices.
• Help ensure the classroom remains compliant, organized, and prepared for program monitoring and reviews.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Valid teaching certification or applicable early childhood education licensure.
• Previous experience working with preschool-aged children, preferably within a Head Start, preschool, childcare, or similar Early Childhood Education program.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development principles and curriculum standards.
• Experience developing and implementing age-appropriate lesson plans.
• Strong classroom leadership and behavior-management skills.
• Ability to observe children's development and use assessment information to support individualized instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Ability to work collaboratively with children, families, coworkers, leadership, and community partners.
• Knowledge of health and safety practices within an Early Childhood Education environment.
• Patience, creativity, reliability, professionalism, and a genuine passion for working with young children.

What We're Looking For

Our ideal Lead Teacher is someone who:

• Is passionate about Early Childhood Education.
• Can confidently lead and manage a classroom.
• Creates meaningful and engaging learning experiences.
• Understands that every child develops and learns differently.
• Builds strong, professional relationships with children and families.
• Is organized and comfortable maintaining required classroom documentation.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with coworkers and leadership.
• Is dependable, patient, adaptable, and committed to providing high-quality care and education.

Why Join Xiente?

At Xiente, our educators have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference during some of the most important years of a child's development.

As a Lead Teacher, you will help create an environment where children feel supported, engaged, and encouraged to learn while building strong relationships with the families and communities we serve.

If you are an experienced Early Childhood Education professional who is ready to lead a classroom, support young learners, and make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply.

Join Xiente and help us build a strong foundation for children's future success.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional related duties may be assigned based on the ongoing needs of the program and organization.