Early Learning Lead Teacher

Help young children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning!

Are you a passionate early childhood educator who loves creating engaging learning experiences, building meaningful relationships with families, and helping young children thrive? Akin is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Lead Teacher to join our Early Learning team!

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead a classroom, inspire young learners, collaborate with a supportive teaching team, and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

About Akin

At Akin, we believe every child and family deserves the opportunity to thrive. We partner with children, families, and communities to build strong relationships, support well-being, and create opportunities for lifelong success.

Through our Early Learning programs, we provide nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environments where children can explore, grow, and develop the skills they need for a bright future.

When you join Akin, you become part of a team committed to strengthening families, celebrating individual strengths, and making a meaningful impact in our communities.

About the Role

As a Lead Teacher, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn.

You'll lead daily classroom activities, develop engaging lesson plans, support the professional growth of your teaching team, and build strong partnerships with families. Working collaboratively with colleagues and families, you'll help children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and academically while supporting each child's unique strengths and needs.

This position follows Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Washington State Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) requirements, Early Achievers standards, and Akin policies and procedures.

What You'll Do

Create Inspiring Learning Experiences

• Design and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and daily activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and exploration.

• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and child-centered classroom environment that supports each child's individual development, interests, and learning needs.

• Foster positive relationships with children while supporting their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

• Observe and document children's progress, develop individualized learning plans within 90 days of enrollment, and maintain accurate, confidential records.

• Complete required developmental screenings within 45 days of enrollment, conduct follow-up screenings, and coordinate referrals when appropriate.

Lead and Support Your Classroom Team

• Oversee daily classroom operations and help create an organized, safe, and engaging learning environment.

• Collaborate with teaching staff to plan activities, prepare classroom materials, and implement curriculum.

• Model positive teaching practices and support the professional growth and development of classroom team members.

• Foster a collaborative team environment built on mutual respect, creativity, communication, and shared accountability.

Build Meaningful Partnerships with Families

• Develop trusting, respectful relationships with families, recognizing their essential role in their child's education and development.

• Communicate regularly with families about their child's progress, strengths, and learning experiences.

• Conduct four parent-teacher conferences annually for each child, including two home visits.

• Partner with families to support their goals and help children successfully transition between programs and learning environments.

• Collaborate with colleagues to plan and participate in family events, meetings, and engagement activities, including occasional required after-hours events.

• Use interpretation services when needed to support meaningful communication with families.

Support Children's Health, Safety, and Well-Being

• Maintain a safe, healthy, and nurturing classroom environment.

• Promote healthy habits, including handwashing, toothbrushing, and other daily wellness routines.

• Support mealtime activities in accordance with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and family-style dining requirements.

• Monitor indoor and outdoor environments for potential safety concerns and administer first aid when necessary.

• Collaborate with mental health professionals, nurse consultants, and other team members to support children's individual needs.

Contribute to a Strong Early Learning Community

• Participate in ongoing professional development, staff meetings, required STARS training, and other learning opportunities.

• Help recruit and support family and community volunteers.

• Collaborate with colleagues on enrollment and recruitment efforts to help ensure families can access Early Learning services.

• Support classroom and center activities, including event preparation and cleanup.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone who is passionate about early childhood education, enjoys collaborating with others, and believes every child deserves a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Successful candidates will bring:

• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, and colleagues.

• The ability to lead, encourage, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.

• Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to adapt teaching approaches to meet individual learning needs.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• A commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, with the ability to work effectively with individuals and communities from a variety of backgrounds.

• A willingness to learn, grow professionally, and contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Candidates who do not yet meet the standard educational qualifications may be considered with an approved Professional Development Plan outlining how they will obtain the required qualifications within the designated timeframe.

• Equivalent degrees and credentials from other states or countries may be accepted with approval through Washington State's MERIT system.

• Proof of a physical examination completed within the past 12 months, with updates required every three years.

• A one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to employment, or written documentation of a negative test within the previous 12 months. Candidates with a history of a positive TB test must provide documentation of treatment or a negative chest X-ray.

• Proof of MMR vaccination or a positive MMR titer.

• Successful completion of Akin and Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) criminal history background checks, including fingerprinting and registration in the MERIT system.

• A valid driver's license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years.

Required Within 30 Days of Hire

• CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification.

• HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogen training.

• Food Handler's Permit.

• Other assigned or required training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

• Language skills in Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Dari, or Somali.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is based in an active early learning classroom and requires regular interaction with young children, families, and colleagues.

• Ability to work a rotating schedule during center operating hours.

• Ability to work in a classroom environment with moderate noise, frequent interruptions, and typical indoor lighting and temperatures.

• Ability to occasionally travel to other Akin locations within Washington State.

• Ability to perform physical activities associated with early childhood education, including walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

• Frequent grasping and pushing/pulling of equipment weighing up to 310 pounds.

• Ability to observe and communicate effectively with children and families in a variety of settings, including in person and occasionally by phone.

• Ability to complete computer-based documentation and administrative tasks.

• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

This position may involve access to protected health information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII) as necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.

Make a Difference Every Day

At Akin, teaching is about more than preparing lesson plans. It's about building relationships, celebrating milestones, supporting families, and helping children discover what they're capable of achieving.

If you're excited about creating meaningful learning experiences and being part of a team that puts children and families first, we encourage you to apply!

Join Akin and help create a brighter future for children and families.

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position.

The target starting pay for this position is $26.12 - $30.69 per hour for AA degree, and $28.74 - $34.48 per hour for BA degree, typically within the first half of these ranges. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account.

The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION:

Akin is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who bring lived experience and diverse perspectives to apply.