Summer Pre-K Camp Lead Teacher

Description

The Allendale Columbia School is seeking experienced, engaging, and highly professional Lead Pre-K Teachers to support our Summer 2026 program serving our youngest campers (ages 3–5). This position is ideal for classroom educators who are passionate about early childhood development and are excited to lead a structured, play-based summer program in a well-supported environment.

The Lead Pre-K Teacher will serve as the primary instructor and leader for a Pre-K classroom group, designing and implementing daily programming aligned with weekly camp themes. This role offers creative autonomy, allowing teachers to develop engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that promote exploration, social-emotional growth, and early learning.

Teachers will be supported by a dedicated Support Staff member and a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) to assist with classroom management, transitions, and student support. The Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining a safe, nurturing, and structured classroom environment while fostering positive relationships with campers and modeling strong classroom leadership.

This role requires a high level of organization, consistency, and professionalism to ensure a positive and stable experience for our youngest campers. All classroom materials and supplies are provided, allowing teachers to focus on instruction, creativity, and connection.

Key Responsibilities:

• Classroom Support & Engagement: Assist the Lead Teacher with daily activities, including art projects, playtime, and group participation, ensuring campers remain engaged and supported.
• Activity Implementation: Support the execution of planned curriculum and activities; bring lessons to life without responsibility for curriculum design.
• Transitions & Daily Logistics: Assist with snack time, bathroom breaks, and safely escorting campers between activities while maintaining organization and structure.
• Classroom Management: Work collaboratively with the Lead Teacher to maintain a positive, inclusive, and well-managed classroom environment.
• Early Childhood Support: Provide hands-on assistance to young campers as they develop independence, social skills, and comfort in a group setting.
• Safety & Supervision: Maintain active supervision, accurate headcounts, and ensure all health and safety protocols are followed, including allergies and hydration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have professional classroom teaching experience in Pre-K or Early Elementary settings
• Note: Substitute teaching or after-school care experience alone does not meet this requirement
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement age-appropriate, play-based curriculum
• Strong classroom management and organizational skills
• Ability to foster a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children
• Must be reliable, patient, and a strong role model
• Ability to work collaboratively with support staff and mentor junior team members
• Availability to commit to the 8-week program (June 22 – August 14) preferred; minimum commitment of 4 consecutive weeks required (Session 1 or Session 2)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Safely lift a child or children with a total weight of 50 pounds.
• Conduct activities involving substantial standing, walking, and moderate sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, and reaching on a frequent basis.
• Work with hands above shoulder height with a weight up to 20 pounds.
• Work with arms extended at shoulder height with a weight up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to stoop, bend, and kneel on the floor without assistance
• Must be able to push, pull, playground equipment, art supplies, manipulate office equipment, etc.
• Participate in routine conversation in person or via telephone and distinguish telephone, radio/pager signals, alarms, and other auditory tones

Compensation: $25.00 per hour 

This position is paid on an hourly basis and is classified as non-exempt, meaning it is eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable federal and New York State wage and hour laws.

Lunch Provided

Allendale Columbia School, as an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate in its hiring of employees on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital or veteran status, age, or disability. We actively seek diversity among faculty and administration as well as among students.