Lead Teacher (SE)

Join Our Team at ChildRoots Southeast - 50 SE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Are you an experienced early childhood educator looking to inspire young minds and build lasting connections? Do you believe in fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in children while working in a supportive, co-teaching environment?

ChildRoots, a small family of locally and woman-owned childcare centers in Portland, Oregon, is seeking, Lead Teachers [1.0 FTE (5 days/40 hours per week)] for our Southeast location. Since 2007, our progressive, play-based schools have focused on guiding children's social and emotional development while encouraging exploration and inquiry. Our awe-inspiring classrooms are designed to provoke curiosity, but it is our Teachers who make ChildRoots truly outstanding.

About the Role
Lead Teachers at ChildRoots work Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, offering care and teaching for classrooms of children between the ages of zero to five years old.
Lead Teacher roles include:

• Infant Lead Teacher, ages zero to two at our SE and NW locations
• Toddler Lead Teacher, ages two to three
• Preschool Lead Teacher, ages three and up

This role is perfect for educators who:

• Value collaborative classroom environments that focus on child-led learning and inquiry.
• Have a strong understanding of child development and pedagogy theory. 
• Are passionate about mentoring young learners and guiding them through social and emotional development.
• Can lead and direct a classroom of students and support staff.

Compensation & Benefits
At ChildRoots, we value fair, predictable compensation. Lead Teachers have a competitive wage scale which starts at:

• Step 7-8.5: $24.86/hour

• Step 9-9.5: $28.18/hour
• Step 10+: $33.15/hour

And receive:

• Standardized annual merit-based raises and annual PFA wage adjustments
• Long-term commitment bonuses to incentivize teachers to remain with their cohort

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
✅ Health & Vision Insurance – majority employer-paid
✅ Dental Insurance – majority employer-paid
✅ Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid
✅ 401(k) Retirement Plan – Generous company match
✅ Paid Time Off – Including holidays, a weeklong Winter Break, and professional development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Provide primary care and educational support for a consistent group of children.
• Foster a safe, engaging, and child-centered learning environment.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate activities, lesson planning, and curriculum.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, ensuring clear and supportive communication.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
• Act as a professional role model for support staff.
• Direct all support staff within your classroom to ensure smooth operations, classroom function, and routine.

Qualifications & Requirements
To be considered for a Teacher role at ChildRoots, applicants must:

• Be a Step 7 or higher in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) system
• Be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry (or begin the process and complete it upon receiving confirmation)
• At least 4 years of experience in an ECE classroom setting.
• Meet the teacher-qualification criteria as outlined by the Office of Child Care requirements, which may include:
  • Previous experience in a structured childcare environment.
  • Completion of college-level courses in early childhood education-related subjects.
    • Degree in Early Childhood Education (or equivalent) preferred.
  • Complete Oregon’s Safety Set Trainings and required certifications:
    • Pediatric CPR/First Aid Course (hybrid or fully in-person)
    • Oregon Food Handler's Card (online course)
    • Introduction to Child Care Health & Safety (online course)
    • Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect (online course)
    • Prevention is Better than Treatment (online course)
    • Safe Sleep for Oregon's Infants (online course)

Our Work Culture
At ChildRoots, we believe that children are authentic, powerful individuals. Our mission is to guide their social and emotional development and to foster a sense of wonder about the world around them. We know that teaching is more than just meeting physical needs—it is about understanding each child’s unique experience and supporting them on their journey.

We also understand that a successful school depends on supported, valued educators. Our workplace culture emphasizes stability, emotional support, and a collaborative environment where every teacher is seen and appreciated.

Join Our Team!

Apply today and become a part of one of Portland’s most inspiring childcare communities!

 

To work with us, you must be teacher-qualified and currently enrolled in Oregon's

These easy, online trainings are required within 30 days of hire:

The challenges of COVID reminded us how vital it is to center our employees’ well-being. We know we still have much to do to be the BEST place to work in child care in Portland, but that’s what we’re working toward.

All employees are eligible for:

• 1-3 weeks of Paid Time Off per year, depending on how long they've been with ChildRoots.
• 25 paid holidays and all-school days off
• Company-provided continuing education
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company match and 100%, immediate vesting

Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our insurance plans, including:

• Providence Health, including vision, naturopathic, chiropractic, acupuncture, AND massage
• Principal or Willamette Dental

We value commitment and invite you to stay with us for at least a year.

To learn more about us, explore our website , take a virtual tour of our facilities , and review our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines .

We're a pro-vaccination community and require all employees and enrolled parents to be fully vaccinated against COVID . We still practice extraordinary safety protocols like daily health checks, masks, stable groups, and extra cleaning, and will do so for as long as it takes to keep our community safe.

Thank you for your consideration. We hope to hear from you!