Job Description
HIGH ROCKIES COMMUNITY SCHOOL Program Director / Lead Teacher — Preschool Reports to: Executive Director Hours: Full-time, exempt Start Date: August 2026 Compensation: $39,381.70–$55,093.50 annually, based on experience and qualifications Benefits: ICHRA reimbursement up to $530/month for health insurance; most Fridays off Teach with wonder. Lead with roots. Grow something lasting. High Rockies Community School is building something rare: a nature-integrated preschool rooted in the mountain communities of Park County, designed from the ground up to honor the way young children actually learn — outside, in relationship, through play and wonder. The Program Director / Lead Teacher is the heart of that program. This is a hybrid role: you will hold the CDEC director credential that licenses our preschool to operate, and you will teach. Every day. You will design and deliver a nature-integrated curriculum for our youngest learners, lead and supervise preschool instructional staff, build deep relationships with families, and serve as the operational and programmatic lead for the preschool program within a school community that believes the outdoors is the best classroom there is. You will work closely with our Executive Director, Site Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, and VAO Collaborative — our operations partner — so that the back-office work (HR, payroll, compliance filings, enrollment administration) stays off your plate and you can focus on what matters most: children, teaching, and program quality. What You’ll Do CDEC Licensing & Program Compliance Hold and maintain the CDEC Director credential required for licensure under the ONBP model standards; your name will be on the license Serve as the school’s point person for all CDEC compliance requirements, monitoring visits, and annual license renewal Ensure all program policies, health and safety procedures, staff qualifications, and environmental standards meet or exceed CDEC requirements at all times Maintain required program records including attendance, health documentation, incident reports, and staff files in organized, inspection-ready form Coordinate with the School Nurse on nurse delegation protocols and student health accommodation procedures for preschool-age students Ensure all preschool staff complete required CDEC training, CPR/First Aid certification, and mandatory reporter training before working with students Teaching & Curriculum Serve as the Lead Teacher for the preschool cohort, delivering daily hands-on, nature-integrated instruction aligned with Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines (ELDGs) Design and implement a year-long curriculum grounded in outdoor learning, place-based exploration, and developmentally appropriate practice — building on the nature-integrated framework developed with our preschool licensing consultant Maintain a daily schedule and learning environment that reflects HRCS’s commitment to outdoor learning and the distinct rhythms of our mountain community Administer developmental screenings and use ongoing assessment to track student growth, adjust instruction, and identify students who may need additional support Facilitate timely referrals to the Student Services Coordinator for any student suspected of having a developmental delay or disability, consistent with IDEA Child Find obligations for ages 3–5 Support smooth transitions from Early Intervention (Part C) to school-based services (Part B) for students approaching age 3 Maintain student portfolios and facilitate family conferences that celebrate learning and growth Staff Leadership & Supervision Supervise, mentor, and evaluate preschool instructional staff including assistant teachers and any additional preschool teaching staff Foster a collaborative, reflective team culture that models HRCS values and supports continuous instructional improvement Lead staff training in nature-integrated practices, outdoor learning, and developmentally appropriate instruction in partnership with our licensing consultant during the program’s launch phase Participate in school-wide professional development and staff planning alongside the K–8 instructional team Family Engagement Serve as the primary point of contact for preschool families once hired, building trusting, ongoing relationships from enrollment through daily communication Lead family orientation and set clear expectations for outdoor learning, daily routines, and communication norms