The Lead Teacher of the Child Development and Learning Laboratory classroom is charged with planning and implementing a comprehensive child development program in accordance with the Child Development and Learning Laboratory.

Bachelors degree in Early Childhood or closely related field.
Classroom experience with young children.
Demonstrated commitment to a team focused environment.
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing higher education and professional development, which might require overnight travel.
Ability/willingness to mentor college students as they work with children and families. Ability/willingness to learn and implement Reggio Inspired practices.
Evidence of strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Experience mentoring/supervising college students.
Knowledge of constructivist classroom practices.
Prior knowledge of the Reggio Inspired Approach.

Plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities which promote growth and development in a manner appropriate to the childrens age and stage of development.
Uses anti-bias practices to support all children.
Provides a safe and healthy environment for children through daily monitoring of activities and maintenance of the classroom environment.
Conducts ongoing child assessment activities.
Assists in ongoing program assessment for grant renewal and final reports, licensing and accreditation.
Evaluates daily activities with other staff and CMU students, modifying when needed.
Supervises CMU students in the classroom.
Assists in insuring that facilities and procedures adhere to state licensing requirements and NAEYC accreditation standards, which requires all teaching staff to be active in a professional organization.
Communicates with parents by preparing and conducting home visits (2 per student per year), parent teacher conferences (2 per student per year), monthly classroom newsletters, and assists in gathering health and other information necessary for the childrens records.
Participates in Parent meetings and CDLL parent functions (Open House, Family Fun days, Pizza Party and Kindergarten Readiness meeting etc.).
Encourages involvement by making families feel comfortable and welcome in the classroom and/or observation booths.
Shares classroom events with families through notes, calendars, phone calls, etc.
Assists and works closely with the Regional Education Service District personnel and/or the Head Start Disability Service Coordinator to provide appropriate services in the least restrictive environment to children with special needs.
Facilitates the experiences of CMU undergraduate and graduate students who are completing project or practicum requirements in the classrooms of the CDLL; has an understanding of the practices being taught in lecture by reading the textbooks used.
Works cooperatively with the Human Development & Family Studies faculty and staff to coordinate class work and content with the experiences in the lab setting.
Facilitates the conducting of approved research projects.
Participates in continuing professional development activities; teaching staff must attend at least 2 professional conferences a year and present at least at the local and state level every year with proposals being submitted also at the national level.
Completes and submits all necessary and required information in a timely manner (child assessments, HS paperwork).
Other related duties as assigned.

None.

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, masters, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 mens and womens Division 1 sports including football,basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletesachieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. Its part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the states largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions - Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more - are within easy reach of the citys central location in Michigans Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMUs mission, vision, and leadership standards.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit letters of recommendation. If you wish to include recommendation letter(s) that are not required, please utilize the Recommendation Letters upload field.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Wednesday, June 10, 2026.