Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Center

JOB SUMMARY

Southeastern University seeks passionate and experienced early childhood educators to serve as Early Childhood Teachers in a newly established Charlotte Mason and Classical education-inspired preschool program. Teachers will play a vital role in nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, and social-emotional development of young children through a Christ-centered, developmentally appropriate approach that integrates nature, habit formation, and rich learning experiences.

The SEU Robert & Sandra Graper Early Childhood Center is seeking Lead Teachers in both the nursery and pre-school classrooms. The Director will assign the classroom category at the time of hire, but teachers may be shifted to other classrooms on a temporary or permanent basis, based upon business need.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Director of RSG Early Childhood Center

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Teaching Assistants and other student employees/interns

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following:

• Provide daily instruction and care for children using best practices and inspiration from the Charlotte Mason and Classical education models.
• Foster a loving, Christ-centered classroom environment that emphasizes virtue, wonder, and discovery.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, research-based learning activities aligned with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental standards and the school's Christian worldview.
• Observe, assess, and document children's developmental progress regularly.
• Collaborate with fellow teachers and support staff under the direction of the Preschool Director and Assistant Director.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with parents to support learning and child development.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom environment in accordance with state licensing standards.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training in instructional and early childhood best practices.
• Support and participate in preschool and university events, including parent orientations, open houses, and community engagements.

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

RSG Early Childhood Center at SEU

EDUCATION

Required Education:

High School/GED

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Prekindergarten/Primary Education, or other related field.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

At least 40+ hrs. progress towards Staff Credentials (DCF)

CPR/First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days).

EXPERIENCE

Required:

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in an early childhood classroom

Preferred:

Five (5) or more years of experience in an early childhood classroom, preferably in a Christian pre-school.

Experience implementing the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards in a classroom setting.

Experience implementing the following methodologies in a classroom setting: Charlotte Mason, Classical Ed., Reggio Emilia, Montessori, or nature-based learning

Experience with parent engagement and child assessment tools.

Prior experience in a faith-based educational setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

Knowledge of Licensing Regulations: Understanding Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) health, safety, and ratio standards.

Knowledge of Child Development: Basic understanding of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive milestones for early learners.

Skill in Classroom Management: Creating a safe, structured, and positive learning environment using proactive guidance strategies.

Skill in Safety Protocols: Maintaining current certifications in pediatric CPR, First Aid, and standard health practices.

Ability to Maintain Physical Stamina: Ability to bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and lift up to 40 pounds safely throughout the day.

Ability to Communicate Effectively: Speaking and writing clearly when interacting with parents, staff, and young children.

Preferred:

Knowledge of Florida Early Learning Standards: Deep familiarity with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.

Knowledge of Screening Tools: Experience utilizing formal developmental assessments like the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) or similar screening metrics.

Skill in Lesson Plan Differentiation: Designing a play-based curriculum tailored to children with diverse learning needs or language backgrounds.

Skill in Educational Technology: Using classroom management or parent communication applications (e.g., Brightwheel, Tadpoles).

Ability to Lead and Mentor: Directing, training, and coordinating daily tasks for assistant teachers, aides, or classroom volunteers.

Ability to Apply Grace-Based or Specialized Guidance: Utilizing trauma-informed care, conscious discipline, or school-specific behavioral frameworks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment.

• This position is considered Non-Essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.
• However, if an emergency occurs while the facility is in operation, this position is designated as essential personnel and is responsible for taking immediate action to ensure the safety and security of all children on the property, at the direction of the Director and Assistant Director.

Physical Requirements:

Mobility and Agility

• Frequent Movements: Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, and twist to interact with children at their eye level.
• Position Changes: Ability to transition smoothly between sitting on the floor, standing, and walking across different classrooms or playgrounds.
• Reaching and Handling: Must be able to reach above shoulder height, lift arms extended at shoulder height, and work with hands frequently to organize supplies and maintain equipment.

Lifting and Carrying

• Child Evacuation & Assistance: Ability to safely lift, carry, and hold children weighing up to 50 lbs., including onto changing tables, in/out of vehicles, on/off of play equipment, etc.
• Material Handling: Must be able to regularly lift and/or move supplies, play equipment, and classroom furniture typically weighing between 10 to 25 lbs, and occasionally up to 40 lbs.

Sensory and Communication

• Auditory Requirements: Ability to clearly hear routine conversations, distinguish telephone and intercom signals, and immediately hear alarms, distress cries, or other auditory tones across the facility.
• Visual Requirements: Corrected vision (20/20 or better) sufficient to read various administrative documents, accurately supervise children across large indoor/outdoor spaces, and visually scan for hazards.
• Communication: Ability to speak clearly and project voice to lead presentations, communicate effectively with parents/staff, and provide clear directions during emergencies.

Stamina and Environment

• Extended Activity: Capability to conduct activities involving substantial standing and walking, including outdoor walks (up to 30 minutes), AM/PM car line assistance, community walks, or field trip supervision.
• Working Conditions: Capacity to work in a fast-paced, high-noise environment that involves exposure to variable weather conditions (outdoor play areas) and typical childhood illnesses.

Travel:

None

Schedule:

40 hr week/8 hour daily shifts + 1 hr. lunch break, scheduled between 6:45am-5:45pm

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

Must meet and adhere to all DCF training requirements.

Cybersecurity

Incident Response

HIPAA

FERPA

SAFETY

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management.
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident.
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University's insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.