Preschool Lead Teacher | New Center (Opening Soon)

Preschool Teacher – Founding Team | East Mountain (Opening Soon)
Albuquerque, NM | 5-Star Center | Reggio-Inspired | Full-Time | Pay: $19 – $25 per hour

About East Mountain

East Mountain is a new early learning center from the team behind East Gate Kids, a model 5-Star, Reggio-inspired program known across New Mexico for innovation, inclusion, and excellence. We're opening our doors soon, and we're hiring the founding team of educators who will bring the East Gate Kids approach to a new community of children and families.

You won't be figuring it out alone. You'll join a program with proven systems, experienced leadership, and a clear vision for what high-quality early education looks like. Your job is to bring it to life, one classroom and one family at a time.

What You'll Do

• Plan and lead engaging, play-based learning for 3- and 4-year-olds, aligned with the New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines and the Reggio Emilia approach
• Turn children's interests into hands-on projects and investigations, including nature-based learning
• Create calm, predictable routines that build confidence, independence, and friendship skills
• Observe, document, and celebrate each child's growth through lesson plans, observations, and portfolios
• Build warm, trusting partnerships with families through daily updates, progress reports, and conferences
• Lead and mentor your assistant teacher and model professionalism and collaboration
• Keep your classroom in full compliance with licensing, FOCUS, and East Gate Kids standards

Why Teachers Choose Us

• $19 – $25 per hour, based on education and experience
• Free childcare for your own children in our 5-Star program
• Health, dental, vision, and telehealth coverage
• PTO and holiday closures
• No degree yet? We'll help you earn one through the ECECD Scholarship Pathway
• Ongoing professional development, coaching, and mentorship
• Real leadership growth with an organization that's expanding
• Beautiful, well-equipped, Reggio-inspired classrooms
• A collaborative, respectful, purpose-driven team

Qualifications

Required:

• Professional experience in a preschool or early childhood classroom
• Knowledge of child development and play-based learning
• Classroom management and planning skills
• Ability to lead and mentor a classroom team
• Ability to meet New Mexico childcare licensing requirements and pass all required background checks
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain it)

Preferred:

• A CDA, AA, or BA in Early Childhood Education, or actively pursuing one through the ECECD Scholarship or a similar program

A degree is not required to apply. If you have the heart and the experience, we'll support the rest.

Be Part of Something New

Opening a new center is a rare opportunity. Join the founding team at East Mountain and grow your career with an organization that believes when teachers thrive, children thrive.

Apply today. Founding team spots are limited.