Lead Teacher

Job Details: Job Location: 1305 NW 73rd Street

• Lawton, OK, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Mission & Core Values At Children of Joy Learning Academy, we believe in nurturing not only the minds of young children but also the hearts of our educators. Our core values are Faith, Education, Service, and Community. We are a faith-driven, education-focused, service-minded organization deeply rooted in the community. Our Lead Teachers serve as both educators and leaders, creating a learning environment that helps all children grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We seek passionate individuals who view early childhood education as a calling and a career, not just a job. Our ideal candidate is collaborative, compassionate, accountable, and committed to lifelong learning.

Job Summary

The Lead/Master Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment. They provide mentorship and guidance to Assistant Teachers, lead curriculum implementation, ensure health and safety standards, and foster strong relationships with families. Lead Teachers uphold the standards of Children of Joy Learning Academy, DHS regulations, and our national accreditation (APPLE – FACCM, 5-Star Program).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Support Mentor and guide assistant teachers and floaters Promote positive team culture and collaborative problem-solving Model professionalism, compassion, and accountability in all interactions Health, Safety & Supervision Ensure the safety and well-being of all children; children must always be within sight and sound Complete and document incident/accident reports in Pro.

Care Immediately report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Director and DHS Participate in regular fire/tornado drills Follow all procedures for illness prevention, diapering, feeding, and sanitization Curriculum & Classroom Procedures Plan and implement weekly lesson plans using Frog. Street Curriculum (or COJ-approved curriculum) Create center-based classroom environments with labeled materials Post daily schedules and lesson plans Maintain updated Pro.

Care documentation for learning, meals, toileting, and naps Facilitate daily physical activity (indoor/outdoor) Engage in sensory play and process-based art Model and guide age-appropriate social-emotional learning and positive behavior strategies Family Communication & Engagement Greet every child and parent warmly with a smile Maintain respectful, open communication with families using Pro.

Care and face-to-face dialogue Participate in family events, parent-teacher conferences, and engagement initiatives Daily Operations & Compliance Take accurate attendance and perform Name-to-Face transitions using Pro. Care Ensure classroom and playground are clean, safe, and fully stocked Perform daily cleaning, shutdown checklist, and maintenance reporting Supervise transitions during mealtimes, naptime, restroom breaks, and field trips Professionalism & Development Maintain required annual DHS training hours and COJ-specific training Complete First Aid/CPR and ELCCT within the first 90 days of employment Attend staff meetings, professional development sessions, and coaching feedback Reflect on personal teaching practices and seek growth opportunities Maintain professional appearance, punctuality, and positive attitude Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications One of the following educational credentials: CDA or CCP with Early Learning Guidelines Certificate of Mastery in Early Childhood Education 30+ college credit hours with 6+ in ECE/Child Development 2- or 4-year degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development Valid Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood Education Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification or obtained within 90 days ELCCT Certificate within 90 days Must pass background check (includes fingerprints) No criminal history involving children, neglect, abuse, or violence Preferred Qualifications 3+ years teaching in early childhood settings Experience leading teams or mentoring assistant teachers Strong communication and classroom management skills Experience with Pro.

Care software Physical Requirements Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, jump, crawl, and lift up to 50 lbs Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations Must be able to work both indoors and outdoors, including in variable weather conditions Performance Evaluation Performance will be observed weekly and formally evaluated at 30 days, 90 days, and annually Ongoing feedback will be provided to support growth and success in the role