NC Pre-K Lead Teacher

Overview

NC PRE-K LEAD TEACHER

Gaston Learning Academy | Gastonia, NC
Full-Time | 40 Hours/Week | NC Pre-K Classroom

Contract Terms: This position typically follows an annual contract schedule from August through May. For the current school year, the contract will begin in October and continue through May, with option to renew for subsequent school years.

We are looking for an educator, not just a caregiver.

Gaston Learning Academy is hiring a qualified NC Pre-K Lead Teacher to join our team and lead a high-quality preschool classroom serving eligible four-year-old children.

We are looking for someone who understands that early childhood education is the foundation for everything that comes next. The right teacher will be warm and nurturing, but also organized, intentional, dependable, and confident enough to lead a classroom.

You will have dedicated time to plan, prepare your classroom, document children’s development, communicate with families, and collaborate with your teaching team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As the NC Pre-K Lead Teacher, you will:

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, engaging instruction aligned with the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development
Provide both teacher-directed and child-directed learning experiences
Support children’s development across the five NC Pre-K developmental domains:
Approaches to Play and Learning
Emotional and Social Development
Health and Physical Development
Language Development and Communication
Cognitive Development
Create a classroom environment that is safe, welcoming, organized, inclusive, and engaging
Use an approved NC Pre-K curriculum and formative assessment system
Observe, document, and assess children’s progress
Individualize instruction based on children’s developmental needs and interests
Support children’s social-emotional development and positive behavior
Build meaningful relationships with children and families
Communicate regularly and professionally with parents and caregivers
Participate in family engagement activities and home visits as required
Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, lesson planning, and classroom documentation
Support children’s transition from preschool into kindergarten
Collaborate with your Teacher Assistant and administration
Participate in required professional development, staff meetings, and NC Pre-K training
Maintain compliance with NC Child Care Rules and NC Pre-K Program Requirements
Maintain a clean, safe, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate learning environment

THIS IS A TRUE TEACHING POSITION

This position is dedicated to the NC Pre-K classroom.

NC Pre-K requirements provide for a 40-hour workweek, including a minimum of 32.5 hours of direct classroom/child contact and additional time for planning, documentation, family engagement, professional development, and other instructional responsibilities.

REQUIRED NC PRE-K QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet North Carolina’s requirements for an NC Pre-K Lead Teacher.

Candidates should hold or be eligible to hold one of the following:

NC Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Initial or Continuing License
NC B-K Lateral Entry License
NC B-K Residency License
NC B-K Emergency License, when determined eligible by the NC Early Educator Support (EES) Unit
NC Professional Educator’s License with Provisional B-K or Preschool Add-On
An out-of-state teaching license that meets applicable requirements
A BA/BS degree and eligibility for an NC Residency B-K License

Candidates working toward their required NC Pre-K education/licensure may also be considered when they meet the applicable state requirements and are able to make the required progress toward licensure.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

We would love to meet you if you are:

Passionate about early childhood education
A strong classroom leader
Patient, nurturing, and emotionally responsive
Organized and dependable
Comfortable creating and maintaining classroom structure
Creative and able to make learning engaging
Comfortable documenting children’s development
A strong communicator with families
Able to work collaboratively with a Teacher Assistant and administration
Comfortable receiving feedback and participating in professional development
Committed to treating every child with dignity, respect, and consistency

Previous NC Pre-K or public-school preschool experience is strongly preferred.

REQUIRED HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Because this is a licensed child care program, the selected candidate must meet applicable North Carolina child care requirements, including required background checks and health and safety requirements.

Required health and safety training includes areas such as infectious disease prevention, medication administration, emergency preparedness, food/allergic reactions, child maltreatment prevention and reporting, and age-appropriate CPR and First Aid.

CPR and First Aid certification must come from an approved training organization and remain current.

Additional training and professional development requirements apply based on the employee’s position, licensure, and experience.

WHAT WE VALUE

At Gaston Learning Academy, we believe children deserve teachers who see them as capable, intelligent, creative individuals.

We are not looking for someone who simply wants to “watch kids.”

We are looking for an educator.

Someone who can walk into a classroom and say:

“I know what my children need to learn. I know how I’m going to teach it. I know how to observe their progress. And I know how to make them feel safe and excited while they’re learning.”

If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

ABOUT GASTON LEARNING ACADEMY

Gaston Learning Academy has been serving children and families in Gastonia since 1989.

We are committed to providing children with a strong educational foundation while creating a supportive environment where children can learn, grow, explore, and develop confidence.

Location: 908 E. 8th Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: (704) 671-2277
Email: [email protected]

APPLY TODAY

Please submit your resume and include your NC teaching license/credential information, degree, relevant early childhood experience, and current CPR/First Aid certification status.

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you currently hold a NC Birth through Kindergarten (B-K) teaching license, or are you willing to pursue the education required to obtain one?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person