Preschool Lead Teacher
Cathedral Parkway Towers Preschool – Upper West Side / Harlem, NYC
Full-time | Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
About the Role
Cathedral Parkway Towers Preschool is seeking a nurturing, dedicated Lead Teacher for our Two's Toddler Program. The Lead Teacher creates a safe, warm, engaging classroom that supports the social-emotional, developmental, and educational needs of two-year-olds.
New graduates welcome: if your degree included supervised classroom hours — student teaching, practicum placements, or internships — that experience counts toward our experience requirement. We're looking for educators who are patient and empathetic, not just tenured.
For many of our students, this is their first time in a school setting. You'll play a key role in helping children feel safe, cared for, and confident as they begin their educational journey.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a nurturing, developmentally appropriate classroom for two-year-olds
- Support children's social-emotional development through transitions and new experiences
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Observe, assess, and document children's learning and development
- Collaborate with Assistant Teachers and paraprofessionals
- Build positive, culturally responsive relationships with families
- Maintain classroom safety and compliance with NYC DOHMH Article 47 standards
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience with young children in an early childhood setting (student teaching, internships, and practicum hours count)
Qualifications (meet ONE)
- Bachelor's Degree + NYS Certification, or
- Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education (or related field) + 2 years of classroom experience
- Study Plan Eligible: 90+ undergraduate credits + 2 years of experience with young children
What We Offer
- Mentorship from experienced Lead Teachers and center leadership
- Health insurance & PTO
- A collaborative, mission-driven team
About Cathedral Parkway Towers Preschool
We're a community-rooted early childhood center in the heart of Harlem, dedicated to social justice, equity, and excellence in early education. We serve a richly diverse population of families with love, intentionality, and a commitment to inclusive practice.