Job Description
The First Academy is a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Orlando and affirms the church’s doctrinal statements, including the , as faithful expressions of historic evangelical Christianity. Preschool Lead Teacher Job Description The First Academy is seeking a nurturing, professionally skilled Preschool Lead Teacher (Birth–K3) to lead a developmentally appropriate program that fosters holistic growth in our youngest learners (ages 8 weeks to 3 years old). The ideal candidate will be an expert in "Whole Body Learning," creating a structured yet loving environment where children flourish socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You will be responsible for providing a language-rich environment and sensory-based experiences that lay the foundation for future academic success. Leveraging a blend of research-based play and literacy materials, you will utilize movement and "purposeful play" to introduce foundational concepts. As a spiritual mentor, you will help children begin to internalize biblical truths through song, story, and prayer, ensuring every child feels safe, loved, and anchored in a biblical worldview. Core Instructional Competencies (Birth–K3) Multisensory Exploration (Sensory-Rich Instruction): Facilitating "process over product" learning by providing frequent access to tactile bins, water play, and various textures. This allows infants and toddlers to build neural connections as they use their five senses to process and understand God’s world. Purposeful Play & Motor Development: Designing "Exploration Zones" that respect the physiological need for constant movement. This includes balancing quiet floor-play with gross motor challenges (crawling tunnels, soft climbers, and push-toys) to ensure children meet physical milestones through active, guided play. Foundational Worldview Formation: Weaving spiritual truths into the rhythm of the day through "Living Curriculum" moments using songs, short Bible stories, and simple prayer to introduce the character of God, helping children feel—and eventually know—that they are deeply loved by their Creator. Developmental Milestone Monitoring (Early Intervention): Maintaining a keen, expert eye on age-appropriate milestones (speech, fine/gross motor, and social-emotional). Collaborating with parents and TFA specialists to provide early screenings and individualized support during these most critical years of brain growth. Responsive Caregiving (Safe-Place Culture): Utilizing every routine—including diaper changes, mealtimes, and nap transitions—as an opportunity for "Heart Lessons." By modeling the Fruit of the Spirit, the teacher creates a secure attachment where children feel safe to take the emotional risks necessary for learning. Language-Rich Environments: Prioritizing high-quality verbal interactions, including "serve and return" babbling with infants, narrating daily activities, and frequent exposure to nursery rhymes and rhythmic literature to jumpstart oral language expansion. Professional Qualifications Required Education: A High School Diploma or equivalent is required. A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or an Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a related field, is strongly preferred. Communication Skills: Possess solid, professional communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with students, parents, and colleagues. This includes the ability to present complex information clearly and engage in constructive dialogue. Organizational Skills: Exhibit strong organizational skills, including efficient time management, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to finish tasks in a timely manner and manage multiple classroom responsibilities simultaneously. Collaboration: Proven ability to effectively partner and collaborate with colleagues, administration, and parents to support the holistic development of students. Confidentiality: Absolute ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all sensitive school, student, and personnel matters, adhering to ethical and legal standards. Work Ethic: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, professionalism, reliability, and punctuality. Certifications & Training: 45-hour State Mandated Training: Preferred at hire; must be fulfilled within the first year of employment. CPR/First Aid Certification: Must be acquired/active within the first year. Teaching Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of successful class