Studio Lead Teacher

Beginning the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Exempt 1.0 FTE
Reports to: Director and Assistant Director of Infant-Toddler Education Program

All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.

Overview

University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.

Job Summary

Infant-Toddler Education Program (known as The Studio) Lead Teachers are full time, in-person employees. They work together in teaching teams with primary responsibilities for a specific classroom and secondary responsibilities or all children in The Studio Program. The Studio Program is organized into three classrooms: an Infant/Waddler classroom, a Toddler Classroom, a Young Preschool Classroom. The Lead Teacher builds generative and collaborative curricula, supports the mission of UCDS, engages in mentorship models, and demonstrates flexibility. Each teacher at UCDS works as a member of a team to design curriculum, instruct students, individualize learning, and support school-wide events and programs. In the spirit of innovation, faculty share teaching methods, materials, and assessment techniques within and beyond our school community. The process of building, implementing, evaluating, and revising programs is at the core of UCDS and is required of every faculty member. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Art of Teaching: 

• Creates and sustains classroom culture based on the mission and values of the school.
• Prepare and gather materials required to implement daily curriculum activities.
• Co-creates, implements, and delivers hands-on instructional curricula and daily activities which are appropriate to the grade and developmental level of the students, culturally sensitive, follow an anti-bias perspective, and meet children’s developmental needs.
• Employs differentiated teaching strategies to meet the needs of a diverse range of students.
• Provides a variety of learning opportunities, methods, and materials, with a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences for the students.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and inspires students to participate fully in the learning process.
• Practices thoughtful, respectful, and successful classroom management techniques which support active learning and promote responsibility and self-management.
• Advises and works with students, parents/guardians, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs.
• Track student growth and development through student portfolios, profiles and other forms of documentation. 
• Builds meaningful relationships with students.
• Carry out all policies according to The Studio educational philosophy, licensing regulations, The Studio Handbook, and the Studio Health and Safety Policies Handbook.
• Coordinate and carry out all necessary care elements for young children such as changing diapers, preparing bottles, feeding, changing clothes, helping with naps, etc.
• Maintain Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) Statewide Training and Resource System (STARS) hours and required lead teacher qualifications. 
• Designs and Leads Exploring Relationships and Connections (ERC) Groups.

Community: 

• Provides and maintains a dynamic and safe environment.
• Collaborate with colleagues to meet the health, safety and developmental needs of students. 
• Collaborates with colleagues to design and carry out the daily classroom routines, activities and tasks. 
• Acts as a mentor to Resident Teachers who are assigned to the Studio.
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff, and parents/guardians in order to maintain constructive and professional relationships 
• Builds partnerships with parents/guardians through clear written and verbal communication in formal and informal meetings as well as documentation
• Takes part in pre-service and in-service professional development. 
• Attends school-related events and meetings outside the scheduled school day, i.e. after-school planning, committee meetings, and community events.
• Completes other projects as assigned by the Studio Director, Studio Assistant Director, Assistant Head of School or Head of School.
• Attend and participate in planning meetings, in-service days, and monthly staff meetings.
• Proactively coordinate with colleagues and/or school leadership when appropriate, keeping them informed of significant happenings in the classroom and in the program. 
• Keep the classroom organized, clean and safe according to licensing regulations and health and safety procedures. 
• Keep personal information regarding children and their families confidential.

Reflective Practice: 

• Participates in annual goal setting and receives regular feedback, facilitated by the Studio Director, Studio Assistant Director/Division Head, Assistant Head of School, and Head of School.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities, professional development, and professional learning opportunities at UCDS, the UCDS Institute, and in the larger community.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “apply now” button to submit a resume and cover letter.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.

We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team. If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Dr. Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel, at laurynm@ucds.org. 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. UCDS is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.

All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.