Lead Teacher

Help little learners grow, explore, and belong.

Do you believe the best learning happens through play, curiosity, and connection? Do you enjoy turning everyday moments into learning adventures? If so, we’d love to meet you.

At the YMCA, our early childhood educators do more than teach—they spark confidence, nurture kindness, and help children discover the joy of learning. As a Lead Teacher, you’ll guide a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them.

What You’ll Do

• Create a warm, engaging classroom where every child feels valued and included
• Plan fun, developmentally appropriate activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and growth
• Lead and mentor assistant teachers to create a strong, supportive classroom team
• Build meaningful relationships with families through communication and partnership
• Support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development
• Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing learning environment

What Makes You a Great Fit

• You believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated
• You bring energy, creativity, and patience to the classroom
• You enjoy collaborating with other educators and supporting their growth
• You understand that play is powerful learning

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Make a real difference in children’s lives every day
• Work with a team that lives the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• A supportive community focused on youth development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher working as part of the Y Academy Early Childhood Team, will deliver professional customer service and relationship building skills to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The Lead Teacher will work in a co-teaching environment and will be responsible for implementing educational curriculum in our play-based learning environment.

OUR PATH

For 150 years, the YMCA of Metro Denver has been more than a place - it is a movement that lifts spirit, mind and body for all. Our direction is clear: Elevate Lives and Rise Together. Grounded by our mission and strengthened by the global YMCA movement we will elevate our people, purpose, partnerships and promise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create an environment of play-based learning is foundational, focused on the whole child
• Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children
• Nurture physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and development of each child
• Plan, implement curriculum according to appropriate practices and Reggo-Emilio approach
• Plan to participate in family friendly parent teacher conferences and engagement programs
• Maintain a cheerful, nurturing healthy, safe and clean classroom environment
• Classroom is inviting and materials are readily available to children
• Share individual child’s accomplishments, send photos/videos timely intervals to parents thru approved communication channels
• Assess child’s developmental milestones through the Teaching Strategies Gold
• Collaboratively lead a team to support children’s growth and success in the classroom
• Assist in planning, preparing professional development for early childhood professionals
• Create a shared vision, center wide, for a team-teaching environment
• Have a deep understanding and connection with YMCA programs and offerings

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger to handle or feel objects, tools, controls, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and focus
• Physical demands are required in order to teach, care for, and provide for overall safety of children for which this position is responsible

YMCA CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & RISK MANAGEMENT

The YMCA is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable individuals. As part of our commitment to child abuse prevention and Praesidium accreditation standards, all employees are required to comply with YMCA abuse prevention policies, including screening, training, supervision, and reporting requirements.

QUALIFICAITONS

• Minimum 18 years of age

• Have 3,185 hours of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than eight (8) years of age who are not related to the individual

• Current Early Childhood Professional Credential Level 1 or higher in version 3.0 of the Colorado Shines PDIS credentialing system

• Six semester credits in the field of Early Childhood Education with one course being Introduction to Early Childhood Professions, Early Childhood Guidance Strategies or Pyramid Plus Model Training

• Strong communication and teamwork skills

• Passion for helping young children thrive

FULL-TIME BENEFITS

• Health and Vision Care
• Dental
• Generous Retirement Contribution Options -Includes company contribution of 10% once eligibility is met
• Paid Time off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Free Membership
• Program Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

PART-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

• Free individual membership
• Program discounts
• Generous Retirement Contribution Options -Includes company contribution of 10% once eligibility is met
• Employee Assistance Program
• Accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
• Paid Time off for those scheduled and working 20+ per week