Preschool Lead Teacher

Preschool Lead Teacher

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at

The Lead Teacher is primarily responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of the preschool children in their care and creating and leading developmentally appropriate activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth while following Oregon state licensing guidelines and early childhood best practices.

The essential functions of this position include:

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and facilitate daily activities in a community aware and responsive learning environment.
• Actively supervise children to always ensure their safety.
• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Assist children and foster their independence with daily routines (e.g. using the restroom, changing clothes, mealtime, naptime).
• Promote and model health, safety, and nutrition; assist with cleaning the classroom throughout the day and at the end of each day.
• Promote and support social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development through planned activities and an engaging classroom environment.
• Partner with families to ensure a positive early learning experience for them and their child(ren).
• Maintain and keep confidential records following IRCO Policies and Procedures and state licensing guidelines.
• Lead and communicate with the teaching team regarding classroom routine, classroom management, and all aspects of children's care.
• Gain familiarity with, follow, and ensure adherence to all relevant IRCO, Preschool for All, and Oregon state licensing policies and procedures.
• Complete all necessary paperwork in a timely manner, including weekly lesson plans, student documentation, conference forms, monthly newsletters, etc. Delegate and train teaching team to support with tasks as necessary and appropriate.
• Lead on maintaining classroom and outdoor environments while always considering safety, security, and equal access.
• Plan and facilitate family-focused activities such as conferences, home visits, field trips, and events.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Participate in Early Learning Services Department and IRCO All Staff meetings and events as required and allowed by the classroom schedule.
• Ensure the teaching team has the resources to lead the classroom in the event of Lead Teacher's absence.

The secondary functions of this position include:

• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently, and to meet commitments.
• Ability to meet multiple, including conflicting deadlines.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities for related job functions.
• Strong community focused communication skills with varied background communities.
• Communicate in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone to individuals and groups.
• Listen to understanding and assist in problem solving.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise materials.
• Punctuality and ability to maintain a good attendance.
• Use of basic office equipment, cellphones, copier, and personal computer.
• Ability to handle distressed individuals and employees in a calm and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization.
• This position works under the guidance of the Site Coordinator and the Assistant Manager, Preschool Programs.

Minimum job specific qualifications include:

• At least 3 years' experience working with young children in a classroom setting
• Knowledge and understanding of child development, positive discipline approaches, developmentally appropriate practices, and school/classroom health and safety procedures
• A bachelor's degree in a related field, Child Development Associate (CDA) Preschool Credential, or step level 7 as determined by the Oregon Registry Online (ORO)
• Proficiency in the English language; oral and written communication skills commensurate with the needs of the position
• Registration with the Central Background Registry and completion of orientation and required training before working with children (including Pediatric First Aid/CPR and Food Handlers)
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Compassionate with the ability to adapt to stressful conditions and manage time efficiently
• Ability to work independently and with multi-background staff in a team setting
• Ability to courteously communicate with families, other employees, and external partners
• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently, and meet commitments

Preferred qualifications include:

• Strong effective and community focused communication skills
• Knowledge of Oregon state childcare licensing guidelines
• Knowledge and understanding of immigrant and refugee and local populations
• Bilingual in English and a second language preferred
• Experience planning lessons, observing and documenting children's development, and using Teaching Strategies/Creative Curriculum
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities

Physical, mental, and environmental requirements include:

• In-person classroom setting
• Physical: Require some physical efforts or manual labor such as lifting, carrying or constant movement.
• Mental: There is a regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed
• Environment: The work environment that is usually well protected, free from hazards or obstacles. There is little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are usually comfortable, with only occasional issues, including temperature change
• Schedule: The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate.

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts

To apply, complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers. For questions about this position, please email View email address on click.appcast.io.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.