Pre-K Lead Teacher - Lower School

For the 2025-26 school year, Carolina Day School is seeking an experienced, energetic, and dynamic Pre-K lead teacher for our Lower School division. Responsibilities outside the classroom include recess, lunch, and carpool duty, serving on school committees, planning and supervising grade-level and division-level special events, and the opportunity to coach a team or teach an after-school class. Candidates should be well-versed in Inquiry-Based Learning pedagogy, innovative program design, and diverse learning styles and profiles.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Instruct students in the areas of literacy, math, science, and social studies with a strong emphasis on the early literacy skills for reading and the foundational math skills students need to be successful in the global community

• Experience with the Orton-Gillingham method of instruction is preferred but not required

• A strong understanding of best practices and leading-edge research on early childhood education is preferred

• Partner with another lead teacher and an instructional assistant in the grade

• Facilitate student learning in a supportive classroom environment that promotes and models creative and innovative thinking

• Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems

• Understand various learning styles and academic needs and differentiate instruction accordingly

• Provide extra help to students as needed

• Engage in professional development

• Teaching experience in an independent school is preferred, but not required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

• Master’s degree preferred, but not required

Other Duties

1. Maintains professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings, and other professional activities.

2. Participates in various student and parent activities which occur in the school including Parent Meetings, student clubs, and after-school activities.

3. Creates an effective learning environment through functional and attractive displays and activity/learning centers.

4. Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or another appropriate administrator.

5. Coaching at least one season of a sport and working closely with the CDS Athletic Department is an option for the right candidate

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities Required)

• Must possess a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred, in education or a related field. 

• Prefer independent school experience. 

• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 

• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.

Americans with Disability Specifications:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.