Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teacher Scottdale Early Learning DeKalb County, Georgia Scottdale Early Learning is seeking an experienced, nurturing, energetic, and highly qualified Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teacher to join our early learning team. We are looking for an educator who is passionate about preparing young children for kindergarten and beyond while creating a warm, engaging, developmentally appropriate classroom environment where every child feels safe, valued, supported, and excited to learn. Our Pre-K Lead Teacher will provide high-quality instruction aligned with Georgia's Pre-K Program, the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards, and Scottdale Early Learning's commitment to supporting the whole child. Georgia's Pre-K classrooms provide learning experiences across language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative development, physical development, and social-emotional development. Minimum Qualifications Candidates must meet the current Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teacher credential requirements established by Bright from the

Start:

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). A Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teacher must possess a valid and current qualifying credential or teaching certificate, with credentials verified through the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS) and, where applicable, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Qualifying pathways include:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or an approved early-childhood-related field Bachelor's degree or higher in a non-ECE field combined with an approved early childhood credential A qualifying Georgia teaching certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission DECAL identifies qualifying certification areas that may include fields such as Elementary Education (P-5), Birth Through Kindergarten, Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education Preschool, and other approved certification fields identified in the Georgia's Pre-K credential guidelines.

Applicants must also:

Have an active GaPDS profile Be able to obtain or currently have the designation "Qualifies for Pre-K Lead" within their verified GaPDS profile Maintain all credentials, certifications, and professional-development requirements required by DECAL Complete all required Georgia's Pre-K training applicable to their experience level and employment status Meet all state licensing, background-check, health, and employment requirements applicable to child care personnel For the 2026-2027 school year, new Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teachers, certain second-year teachers who did not previously complete required new-teacher training, and teachers returning after an extended absence may be required to complete the Georgia's Pre-K New Lead Teacher Institute and additional required training components. Preferred Qualifications We strongly prefer candidates who have previous experience teaching children ages four to five in a Georgia's Pre-K, Head Start, public-school Pre-K, or high-quality early learning setting.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

Strong knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices Experience implementing lesson plans aligned with GELDS and Georgia's Pre-K expectations Experience with child observation, documentation, assessment, and individualized instructional planning Familiarity with Work Sampling Online (WSO) or similar authentic assessment systems Strong classroom-management and positive-guidance skills Ability to create engaging learning centers and hands-on instructional experiences Knowledge of social-emotional development and positive behavior supports Strong written and verbal communication skills Excellent organization and documentation skills Ability to collaborate effectively with assistant teachers, administrators, families, and community partners Experience serving children and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds Commitment to family engagement and meaningful home-school partnerships Essential Responsibilities The Georgia's Pre-K Lead Teacher will: Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate daily instruction Create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, and nurturing classroom community Provide intentional instruction in early literacy, language development, mathematics, science, social studies, creative arts, physical development, and social-emotional learning Develop and maintain weekly lesson plans aligned with program standards and children's developmental needs Conduct ongoing observations and assessments and use data to guide instruction Maintain accurate child portfolios, assessment records, attendance records, and required classroom documentation Individualize instruction to meet the developmental, academic, behavioral, linguistic, and social-emotional needs of each child Establish predictable classroom routines and developmentally appropriate expectations Provide positive guidance and model respectful interactions Maintain an organized, engaging, and high-quality classroom learning environment Supervise children closely and maintain all required health, safety, and teacher-child ratio standards Work collaboratively with the Pre-K Assistant Teacher to ensure effective classroom operation Participate in professional development, planning days, staff meetings, coaching, and required Georgia's Pre-K training Communicate regularly with families regarding their child's growth, strengths, interests, goals, and classroom experiences Conduct and document required family conferences Encourage family participation in classroom activities, school events, workshops, and learning-at-home opportunities Support children and families with a successful transition into kindergarten Follow all Scottdale Early Learning policies as well as DECAL, Georgia's Pre-K, licensing, and program requirements Georgia's Pre-K providers are expected to support family engagement, including offering at least two individual conferences between the lead teacher and each child's family during the school year. What We Are Looking For At Scottdale Early Learning, we want more than someone who simply meets the credential requirements. We are seeking an educator who genuinely loves young children and understands the tremendous responsibility of preparing them for their next stage of learning. The ideal candidate is dependable, compassionate, creative, energetic, professional, patient, flexible, organized, and committed to excellence in early childhood education. This individual should be comfortable taking ownership of the classroom while also embracing collaboration, feedback, professional growth, and teamwork. Our Pre-K Lead Teacher should believe that families are essential partners in a child's success and should be intentional about building trusting relationships with parents and caregivers throughout the school year. Why Join Scottdale Early Learning? At Scottdale Early Learning, our work extends beyond the classroom. We are committed to providing children with strong educational foundations while partnering with families to support their overall growth and success. Our teachers have the opportunity to: Make a meaningful difference during one of the most important developmental periods in a child's life Work in a mission-driven early learning organization Build strong relationships with children and families Participate in professional learning and continuous quality improvement Work alongside a collaborative team committed to high-quality early childhood education Prepare young learners to enter kindergarten confident, curious, and ready to succeed Application Requirements Interested candidates should submit a current résumé outlining education, credentials, certifications, and relevant early childhood teaching experience. Candidates should be prepared to provide documentation necessary for credential verification and employment, including their GaPDS number/profile, degree information, transcripts, and applicable GaPSC certification information. Qualified candidates whose GaPDS profile reflects "Qualifies for Pre-K Lead" are strongly encouraged to apply. DECAL specifically directs prospective Georgia's Pre-K teachers to maintain a GaPDS profile so their qualifications can be verified. Scottdale Early Learning Little Learners. Big Community. Brighter Tomorrows. Come grow with us and help prepare our youngest scholars for a lifetime of learning!

Pay:

From $15.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Life insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person