Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Timberline Learning Center seeks a caring, growth-minded educator to join its early childhood team as an Early Childhood Mentor Teacher. The Mentor Teacher leads the classroom team in delivering an emergent, play-based curriculum rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The Mentor fosters children’s curiosity and growth within a warm, responsive environment while building meaningful partnerships with families and colleagues. This role offers the opportunity to grow as an educator while making a meaningful difference in the lives of young learners and their families.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, our staff believe in an image of the child as capable, curious, and eager to learn and make sense of the world. Timberline Learning Center is an early childhood school located in Breckenridge, Colorado, for children ages six weeks to six years old. Timberline’s mission is to educate by cultivating the wonder of learning through meaningful partnerships.

What You'll Do

• Create and sustain a warm, welcoming, and aesthetically rich classroom environment that is responsive to the developmental needs and interests of each child
• Collaborate with the co-teacher to design engaging, intentional learning experiences
• Facilitate ongoing project work and child-led investigations that honor children's natural curiosity
• Use positive, developmentally appropriate guidance strategies
• Conduct quarterly child assessments using the Teaching Strategies GOLD system and document and communicate children's progress with care and insight
• Cultivate authentic, respectful partnerships with families, ensuring open communication and meaningful involvement in their child's learning
• Serve as a teacher leader and mentor to the classroom co-teacher and support staff, modeling best practices in early childhood education, professional communication, and reflective practice

Requirements

• Able to obtain Colorado Shines PDIS Level 3 Credential within first 6 months
• Ability to pass comprehensive background check (fingerprinting and child abuse registry)
• Growth mindset with commitment to ongoing professional development
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, and digital)
• Demonstrated leadership, flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and organizational skills

Nice To Haves

• One year of lead teaching experience with children ages 0–6
• Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Experience using Teaching Strategies GOLD or similar authentic assessment systems
• Familiarity with Reggio Emilia Approach, Project Approach, nature or play-based learning

Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development

• Timberline offers comprehensive benefits to full-time employees (i.e., EPIC ski pass, Wellness benefit, 8 paid holidays, Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Vacation time, Sick time, Vision, Dental, Simple IRA, Childcare Discount).