Lead Teacher, Preschool (HS) - Early Learning

Puget Sound Educational Service District seeks a highly qualified Preschool Lead Teacher to join our team of educators and lead a classroom unit working in a strong collaborative partnership with the Teacher and Assistant Teacher. Job duties include designing and leading children’s learning, documenting children’s outcomes, and working with families. The Educare lead teacher develops and implements academic, behaviour, developmental, health and nutrition plans for the purpose of maximising students’ outcomes, achieving program objectives and encouraging home school connection.

The lead teacher and the teaching team implement diverse experiences that support global learning focusing on the child’s background experience and heritage. At Educare, you will join a community of learners focused on providing high quality care and early childhood education, while working closely with families to support the growth and development of their children. Educare is a research-based early learning program implementing best and most promising new practices. We hold high expectations for achieving child and family goals and offer reflective practices so that teachers reach and sustain those goals. We are part of a support system that enables personal and professional growth within an intentional culture of inclusion and diversity.

PSESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state approved charter and private schools in Washington. Serving over 39% of Washington’s K-12 public school students, our agency provides critical services designed to ensure that our students are ready to enter school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavours. We are committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education.

Early Learning Program Hiring Requirements:

• Portable Background Check: All Early Learning Program hires must have a cleared PSESD fingerprint background check (Washington State Patrol and FBI clearance) and a cleared Portable Background Check (PBC) before their hire date, and every three (3) years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.
• Required Health Documentation to be completed within 30 days of official start date for all Early Learning staff, including:

• Completed Medical Release Form
• Tuberculosis clearance (if not included on Medical Release Form)
• MMR vaccine documentation (if not included on Medical Release Form)

Minimum Qualifications:

• AA or Higher in ECE with experience teaching preschool age children; OR Current Washington State Teaching Certificate with endorsement in ECE (PreK-grade 3) or Early Childhood Special Education; OR AA or higher degree in a related field with 20 credits in ECE and 9 months experience in preschool classroom
• 2 years of professional experience working with children 0-5
• Early childhood oversight experience in a childcare center, child development center, or preschool program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a lead teacher in Head Start, Early Head Start, or other comprehensive child development/family support program
• Experience supervising early childhood classroom staff
• Experience working with children birth to 5 who are from diverse backgrounds

ANTIRACIST LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• CULTURAL PROFICIENCY: Articulates and applies historical context of racism and understands the current reality of students and communities of colour in order to support racial equity.
• RACIAL EQUITY ADVOCATE: Recognises, supports, and engages in dismantling institutional racism.
• RACIAL EQUITY MINDSET: Demonstrates awareness of biases, internalised racial superiority and oppression.
• TRANSFORMATIONAL VALUES: Contributes to valuable and positive, antiracist transformation in individuals, organisations, and social systems.

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

• CLASSROOM GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP: Demonstrates knowledge of evidence based classroom leadership practices that create a climate for student learning.
• CREATING A SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE: Demonstrates respect and empathy when interacting with people.
• PLANNING, ORGANISATION, AND PRIORITISATION: Assesses the work to be performed, and considers how it should be organised and accomplished.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals and make decisions.

Location: Educare
Job Type: Full time, full year
Hiring Salary Range: $54,749 - $71,836
Full Salary Range: $54,749 - $79,293
Department: Learning, Teaching, and Family Support - Early Learning

We attract, retain, and motivate exceptional people with an equitable and competitive compensation package. Salary offers consider candidate qualifications and relevant experience. New hires at Puget Sound ESD start employment on or around the 1st and 15th of each month.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• 24 annual leave days per year
• 12 sick days
• 12 paid holidays
• Participation in Washington State Department of Retirement System
• Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan
• Subsidised ORCA card
• Free parking
• Electric Car Charging Stations (Renton office)

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit complete application by 5/4/2025. Interviews to take place 5/13/2025.

PSESD is committed to having a diverse workforce and encourages all candidates meeting the minimum qualifications to apply.