Infant/Preschool Teacher in Knightdale, North Carolina at Raleigh Rescue Mission Inc

Job Title: Teacher – The Growing Place

Reports to: The Growing Place Director & Assistant Director

Shift: 9am - 6pm

Organization Mission: Raleigh Rescue Mission considers every position one of Christian ministry and every person a vital and valued part of our team. Therefore, it is essential that all of The Growing Place team members have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Statement of Faith. Every team member is expected to believe in and adhere to our Core Values of compassion, prayer, collaboration, excellence, and development. In doing so, our entire team is expected to be humble, open to learning new ways of doing things, and ready to step in to assist in any area of the Mission, as needed. We seek team members who are passionate about being extraordinary and faithful in their work and personal lives.

Role Mission: In this role, you will help change lives and promote client success by teaching and ministering to children and parents participating in the New Life Program at Raleigh Rescue Mission. The Lead Teacher demonstrates professional excellence in instruction while maintaining a deep commitment to nurturing and supporting children in a safe, engaging, and Christ-centered environment.

The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities that promote children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. This role balances strong classroom leadership, intentional relationship-building, and compassionate care to support the holistic development of each child and strengthen families in the program.

Essential Job Functions:

Ensure Excellence in Children’s Learning

• Maintain a clean and tidy classroom while adhering to NC Childcare health, safety, and sanitation procedures.
• Complete daily documentation and headcount sheets that are required by NC Licensing.
• Follow all NC Childcare requirements.
• Always provide supervision for children.
• Establish and enforce classroom standards and behavior management for children.
• Adapt teaching methods and materials to meet the interests and learning styles of children.
• Manage classroom activities including lessons, play, breaks, and meals.
• Provide tools and resources for children to use and explore during learning and play activities.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with children and parents.
• Track children’s progress and report to parents.
• Track and assist children in reaching developmental milestones.
• Collaborate with others to implement lesson plans.
• Engage children in play and conversations and encourage children to interact with each other to develop social skills.
• Facilitate various activities for children including songs, games, circle time, and storytelling.
• Identify children’s potential needs and communicate to parents and CDC Director.
• Create and implement special events, as needed.
• Welcome volunteers and assist, as needed, to ensure a positive volunteer experience.

Adapt and Communicate

• Communicate effectively with the Children’s Development Center team and entire Raleigh Rescue Mission staff.
• Participate in ongoing trainings, team meetings and team devotions.
• Transport children to and from events, school, and appointments, as needed.
• Ability to step in for any aspect of the Children’s Development Center at any time.
• Incorporate feedback from the entire staff (teachers, client success managers, etc.) to improve children’s learning opportunities.
• Willingly step in to assist in any area of the Mission, as needed.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the safety, well-being, and educational standards of childhood development.
• Exceptional relationship and communication skills.
• Ability to manage sources of tension common to a social services environment.
• Ability to pivot in a fluid environment with a high tolerance for change.
• Proven situational leadership within cross-team discussions, ensuring teammates and fellow employees always feel a sense of belonging and support.
• Able to use a computer and Microsoft Office with basic proficiency.
• Outstanding customer services skills.
• Execute priorities with minimal supervision, proactively identifying and solving problems.

Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience working in a licensed daycare.
• Experience and desire to work with a diverse group of children.
• Before hire: DCDEE Qualifying Letter, TB Test, CPR & First Aid Certified.
• After hire: Emergency Info/Medical Report/Health Questionnaire/Prosolutions.
• Valid NC driver license and the willingness to drive a 12-passenger van. (Passing Motor Vehicle background check. Periodic MVR checks will be done to ensure continued ability to drive. If at any point you lose your driving privileges, it is your responsibility to report that to the Manager immediately.)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• A typical shift will require sitting, standing, walking, and utilizing a laptop, sometimes for an extended period of time.
• Ability to use hands to lift, guide, and assist clients/children with assignments and life skills.
• Ability to maneuver around furniture/closets and kneel, squat, stoop, or bend at the waist.
• Ability to drive clients/children to appointments and offsite events.

Work Conditions:

• Work onsite, indoors, outdoors and potentially in inclement weather.
• This environment requires an individual to be prepared to assist with potentially adverse conditions that may arise in a residential setting. (Ex. Flooding due to plumbing failure; outbreak of illness.)
• The environment may have a high noise level.
• The typical work week will be Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:30am – 6pm (with 1 hour lunch break).
• Ability to accommodate early-morning or after-hours meetings due to collaboration across various staff and client schedules.
• There may be occasional weekend and holiday support needed.