Job Description

The Opportunity

Sipe's Orchard Home serves 4-5 year old children through two North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) classrooms at its Tyndall Center.

The Lead Teacher plays a critical role in preparing children for a successful transition to kindergarten. This full-time, contracted 10-month position follows the Catawba County Pre-K school calendar and provides the opportunity to create an engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that fosters children's academic, social, and emotional growth. The Lead Teacher partners closely with families and colleagues to ensure each child is equipped with the skills and confidence needed for future success. Employment is offered on an annual basis, with renewal contingent upon program needs, funding availability, required licensure, and satisfactory performance.

This is a remarkable opportunity for a nurturing and creative leader to join a much-revered 80+ year old organization working toward the mission of preparing children and youth for their best futures.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of child development and best practices in early childhood education, with a passion for preparing four to five-year-old children for lifelong academic and social success. Holding a North Carolina Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License, this educator will create a classroom environment that is engaging, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with North Carolina Pre-K standards.

The ideal teacher will have experience implementing evidence-based instructional practices and be comfortable utilizing Creative Curriculum to develop lesson plans, assess student progress, and individualize instruction. They will understand the importance of balancing structured learning with purposeful play while fostering children's cognitive, language, physical, emotional, and social development.

Child-Centered Instruction and Classroom Leadership

This educator will create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming classroom where every child feels valued, respected, and capable of learning. They will demonstrate exceptional classroom management skills while building positive relationships that encourage curiosity, confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

The ideal candidate will effectively differentiate instruction to meet the diverse developmental needs of children and thoughtfully monitor each child's progress toward kindergarten readiness. They will maintain high expectations while recognizing that every child learns at their own pace and deserves individualized support.

Collaboration and Communication

The successful teacher will thrive as a collaborative member of the Sipe's Orchard Home team. They will communicate effectively with teaching assistants, administrators and colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to student success. This individual will value teamwork, willingly share ideas and resources, and contribute positively to a culture of mutual support and continuous improvement.

Equally important, the teacher will build trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through open, respectful, and consistent communication. They will recognize families as essential partners in a child's education and actively engage them in supporting student learning and development.

Professionalism and Continuous Learning

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, time management, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively. They will consistently meet deadlines, maintain accurate documentation, and comply with all North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), licensing, and program requirements.

Committed to lifelong learning, the successful candidate will actively participate in required professional development (including CEU’s required by the DPI/DCDEE), workshops, and continuing education opportunities while continually seeking new strategies to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes.

Mission Alignment and Compassionate Service

Above all, the successful candidate will embrace Sipe's Orchard Home's mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures. They will understand that the NC Pre-K classroom serves as a critical foundation in a child's educational journey and will approach each day with compassion, patience, optimism, and a genuine commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.

The ideal educator will value diversity, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and foster an environment where children and families from all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. They will take pride in contributing to an organization that has served children and families for more than 80 years and is dedicated to creating brighter futures through education, relationships, and opportunity.

Additional Preferred Attributes

• A genuine passion for early childhood education and helping young children develop a lifelong love of learning.
• A nurturing, patient, and encouraging approach that supports children's academic, social, and emotional development.
• Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 4–5.
• The ability to create a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom where every child feels valued and supported.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, and colleagues.
• Experience implementing high-quality early childhood curriculum, preferably Creative Curriculum.
• Strong organizational skills, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning and collaboration.
• An understanding of trauma-informed practices and a belief in every child's ability to succeed.

To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page.  You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites. 

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled with preference given to applications submitted by July 15th.

This position is offered as a 10-month annual contract aligned with the North Carolina Pre-K school calendar. Contract renewal is based on program needs, funding availability, licensure requirements, and satisfactory performance.

The pay range is $18-$20 per hour. Sipe's Orchard Home offers a competitive benefits package that reflects its commitment to supporting employees both personally and professionally. Benefits include an Employee Assistance Program, employer-paid life insurance, professional development assistance, and a retirement savings plan. You'll receive paid school holidays without having to accrue leave, along with 56 hours of paid time off each year, allowing you to enjoy meaningful time away while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Sipes Orchard Home seeks a diverse pool of candidates and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.