Lead Teacher, Dove Springs Tomorrow Academy

Make a lasting impact on young learners' lives while enjoying 48 days of PTO, a free family gym membership, and so much more! 

This full-time, Monday - Friday position will be housed at the YMCA Dove Springs Tomorrow Academy located in 78744 and opening soon!

How you Will Power our Purpose (Job Summary) 

Are you a passionate, caring, and creative educator with a love for nurturing young minds? We are seeking a dedicated Early Childhood Lead Teacher to join our team and inspire our youngest learners in an infant, toddler, or preschool classroom. In this role, you will have the opportunity to create a warm, supportive, and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. We believe in the importance of secure attachment in early childhood, and we are looking for someone who understands how to build strong, trusting relationships with children to support their emotional and social development. If you have a knack for developing engaging activities, a heart full of compassion, and a desire to make a lasting impact on children's lives, we would love to hear from you! Join us in creating a positive and enriching early learning experience where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to thrive. 

How You Will Make an Impact (Essential Functions)  

• Nurture Little Ones: Create a loving environment for a classroom of children (infants, toddlers or preschoolers) by setting daily routines, ensuring they are clean, fed, and happy, while supporting their early growth and comfort. 

• Curriculum Explorer: Guide young minds through exciting, research-based activities that build their curiosity, help them grasp new ideas, and get them school-ready. 

• Discovery Advocate: Plan creative, hands-on activities that turn every day into a learning adventure, covering everything from language and math to science and social skills. 

• Confidence Builder: Foster self-esteem and social-emotional growth, helping children develop strong skills that will last a lifetime. 

• Growth Watcher: Observe and celebrate each child’s progress, keeping track of their development to ensure they’re reaching milestones and thriving. 

• Community Connector: Keep parents in the loop with daily updates on their child’s progress and any concerns, building strong partnerships that support every child’s success. 

• Cleanliness Connoisseur: Keep our classrooms and play areas spotless and inviting, ensuring every toy and surface is sanitized for a safe, fun-filled day of learning.  

• Snack Time Specialist: Serve up healthy snacks with a side of fun, following all guidelines to keep little tummies happy and healthy. 

• Team Player: Work hand-in-hand with assistant teachers and Academy staff to create a cohesive, supportive environment where everyone thrives. 

• Record Keeper: Maintain accurate, up-to-date records that capture the magic of each day, ensuring the program runs smoothly and effectively. 

• Safety Champion: Be the guardian of safety, following Texas Child Care Regulation directives to protect every child in your care. 

• Outdoor Learning Leader: Become an expert in nature play, turning the great outdoors into an exciting classroom where children can explore and learn. 

• Lifelong Learner: Participate in staff development and team meetings, continually growing your skills and contributing to our team’s success. 

• Mission Ambassador: Live out the Y’s values and wellness philosophy, inspiring everyone around you to embrace our mission and role in the community. 

• Storyteller: Share the YMCA’s story with passion, becoming the ultimate ambassador of our work and culture, and helping others see the magic of what we do. 

• Flexible Helper: Take on other exciting duties as assigned, always ready to jump in and make a difference wherever needed. 

What You Bring to the Community Enterprise  

Education & Experience  

• Required Qualifications: 
  • A bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field, or a degree in another field with a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-recognized equivalent.
  • High School graduate or GED equivalent and 18 years of age or older.
  • Relevant experience with young children.
  • Experience in licensed childcare (NAEYC accredited preferred). 
  • Have or be willing to obtain CPR/first aid certification, a criminal background check, and a food handler’s license. 
  • Availability: You have the availability to work Monday – Friday with a flexible schedule. 

• Preferred Qualifications: 
  • Knowledge or experience with emergent curriculum and best practices in early learning.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Core Competencies 

• You are a team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude, and you can work well with others.   

• A loving and caring attitude that will extend toward the children in your class and the parents in our program 

• You are organized, able to prioritize tasks and handle multiple assignments.  

• You listen for understanding and meaning. You speak and write effectively.  

• You continue to learn from success and failure.  

• You leverage people’s differences as strengths.  

Physical Requirements:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk, and occasionally lift and/or move items, including equipment, furniture, and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Work Location

55 North Interstate Highway 35, Austin, Texas 78702, United States

About Us

The Greater Austin YMCA is a nonprofit community enterprise with a vision to cultivate thriving communities across Central Texas where every person benefits from an empowered and well-educated childhood, equitable access to opportunities, resulting in an elevated quality of life and the promise of a sustainable future. Founded in 1953 and anchored in three Central Texas counties, the Y has served close to 500,000 people and provided more than $30M in financial assistance and program subsidies over the past 10 years. We operate 8 community centers and Camp Moody along with 6 early childhood education centers, 60 afterschool programs on school campuses in four districts, and 20 summer camps, with 1500 staff team members, 1000 volunteers, and a $47M annual operating budget.

Additional Information:

The organization has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Greater Austin YMCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Greater Austin YMCA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which we have employees. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We Take Care of Our People

Our mission isn't just a statement--it's a guiding force that shapes our actions every day. Rooted in our unwavering commitment to serving our community and esteemed team members, our mission is a true way of life. We're passionate about fostering health and wellness for all, and we're truly excited to introduce the following comprehensive benefits package that has been thoughtfully designed to prioritize your well-being.

• Health Insurance: We provide comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, to ensure the well-being of our employees.
• Retirement Savings Plan: We offer a 12% employer-funded retirement plan upon meeting eligibility, empowering employees to plan for their future.
• Paid Time Off: Work-life integration is important to us, which is why we provide up to 48 days of paid time off over vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Additional Perks: Free household membership to facilities operated by the Greater Austin YMCA, which is worth $1,000 annually.

Pay Range

$19.00 - $21.00