How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter must include examples of how your past work experience is applicable to this position.
Job Summary
The Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Development Center is responsible for providing a high-quality developmentally appropriate program to the children in the classroom including assessment of children's development and individual needs, curriculum planning utilizing the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and building relationships with families, children, interns and colleagues. This role is responsible for all operations on a daily basis including mentoring teacher assistants and student and non-student temporary staff. This position is responsible for the safety and well-being of children at all times.
This position reports to the Director of the Early Childhood Education Center.
This position is a full-time 40 hours per week at 100% effort.
Responsibilities*
Not listed in priority order:
- 30% - Provide a safe, healthy learning environment for all children
- Promote a welcoming & nurturing classroom & program environment for children, families,students, faculty & other campus or community members
- Be able to:
- Walk, stand, sit (on chair and floor) and talk for varying periods of time.
- Utilize "child sized" furnishings and materials.
- Run or move at a brisk pace.
- Travel both indoors and outdoors on both commercial and natural surfaces.
- Use hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity for hands to finger movement, and to handle, feel, open, close or operate objects, tools, computers or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Occasionally climb or balance; squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Frequently lift and/or move 10-25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 35-50 pounds.
- Exercise constant awareness by accounting for children and maintaining safety at all times.
- Respond quickly as outlined in the emergency protocols.
- Insure high-quality child care standards are met as outlined by Great Start to Quality
- Administer first aid and medication within policy guidelines
- Manage a classroom by maintaining consistency and having high expectations for children
- Utilize global vision to provide a safe environment for children
- Adhere to the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers
- 20% - Relationships and communication with families
- Foster the connection between home, school and community
- Communicate and promote family involvement within classroom
- 15% - Curriculum Planning, Implementation, Assessment, and Documentation of Children's Development and Learning
- Approach which promotes physical, social & cognitive development
- Organize and supervise field trips or outside of classroom experiences
- Provoke ideas and scaffold children's knowledge through problem solving, representational work and conflict resolution
- Observe, document and evaluate children on an on-going basis through the use of Ages and Stages Questionnaires, assessments and portfolios for family/teacher conferences
- Conduct meaningful and engaging small/large group activities/projects
- 15% - Be a team oriented teacher who works and collaborates with co-teachers in order to provide quality care for children & families, as well as establish a quality program
- Mentor Assistant Teachers and student and non-student temporary staff while managing and interacting with children
- Assist with training of staff, interns and student and non-student temporary staff in the classroom
- 10% - Administrative Tasks (Weekly Emails, Charts and Forms, Evaluations, etc)
- Maintain proper paperwork for families, children and staff accurately and in a timely manner
- Represent the quality of programs offered at UM-Flint ECDC by providing tours, enrollment information, and community outreach opportunities
- Perform opening and closing procedures of the center as needed
- 10% - Participating in family events, campus events, and professional activities related to the field of early childhood education
- Build community partnerships and make community outreach efforts in order to strengthen programming, marketing and referral services for families
- Participate in research and training activities by continuing education in areas of development,curriculum and classroom methods
- Exhibit a commitment to the mission & philosophy of the Center and its Administration
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field
- 1 or more years of experience with teaching and/or field work at the infant, toddler, preschool or early primary level
- Maintain certification in infant/toddler/adult CPR and First Aid
- Must be able to perform all physical aspects of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
Other Qualifications:
- State of Michigan fingerprint clearance
- Valid Central Registry Check
Why Work at U-M Flint?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future.
Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service with immediate vesting.
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Eligibility for benefits based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility from the UM Human Resources Benefits and Wellness webpage.
UM-Flint offers tuition support for eligible UM-Flint staff members. In addition, UM-Flint offers dependent tuition support (DTS) for qualified dependents of faculty and staff from all UM campuses. Information can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/hr/benefits/.
Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/chancellor/leadership-mission-vision/
Modes of Work
Onsite
The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time,and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes here.
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Work Locations
The primary work location is the William S. White Building.
Union Affiliation
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening will remain open until filled but may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Applicants are encouraged to apply by August 25, 2026 for best consideration. Applications received after this date may be reviewed and considered until the position is filled.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
