Lead Science Teacher

Summary

The Lead Science Teacher is a specialized instructional role focused on helping children build curiosity, confidence, and a genuine love for science through fun, hands-on discovery. The incumbent is responsible for planning and leading high-quality, age-appropriate science experiences for children ages 2 years old and up, using interactive activities that encourage observation, questioning, experimenting, and exploration. This role requires strong early childhood teaching practices, a passion for making science kid-friendly, and a deep commitment to the CORE Foundation’s mission of providing equitable, premium educational opportunities to all families.

Duties

1. Curriculum Design & Instructional Leadership

• Plan and lead fun, hands-on science activities and experiments that align with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS).
• Create age-appropriate lessons that build scientific thinking skills such as observing, predicting, comparing, sorting, measuring, and describing results.
• Support the Abeka curriculum foundations by reinforcing vocabulary, comprehension, and early writing through science-themed read-alouds, discussion, and simple documentation (drawings, charts, journals) appropriate to each age group.
• Adapt complex scientific concepts (e.g., cause and effect, life cycles, weather, basic physics, and simple chemistry concepts like mixing and dissolving) into sensory-rich, kid-friendly experiments for children ages 2 years old and up, including preschool and school-age children.

2. Materials & Lab-Style Activity Setup

• Prepare, organize, and maintain safe, age-appropriate science materials (e.g., magnifiers, measuring tools, nature items, non-toxic mixtures, simple machines) to support consistent hands-on learning.
• Ensure all science materials are cleaned, sanitized, inventoried, and stored properly after each activity.

3. Classroom Management & Safety

• Maintain a safe, nurturing, and discovery-ready environment that meets all VDOE licensing requirements (8VAC20-780), including safe setup and daily checks of science activity areas and materials.
• Supervise children at all times, ensuring auditory and visual contact is maintained in accordance with state ratios.
• Implement respectful, values-based discipline and social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies to foster cooperation, turn-taking, and safe participation during experiments.

4. Assessment & Progress Monitoring

• Observe and document children’s growth in scientific inquiry skills (curiosity, participation, persistence, asking questions, and making connections).
• Maintain simple learning records or portfolios for each student, highlighting science projects, photos (as permitted), and developmental progress.
• Capture and share "Superpower Moments"—photos or brief updates of children’s science discoveries—with parents/guardians in accordance with KALE privacy and media-release requirements.
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences to share learning progress and suggest easy, at-home science activities that reinforce classroom experiences.

5. Community & Family Engagement

• Partner with the CORE Foundation to host family-friendly science events (e.g., Science Discovery Days) for parents and local stakeholders.
• Provide "wraparound" support by communicating effectively with diverse family structures, including foster caregivers and military families.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Science, or a related STE(AI)M™ field is highly preferred. Minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associate) or Associate’s degree with a focus on STEM education required.
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience teaching in a licensed childcare center or elementary school setting. Documented experience in STEM/STEAM instruction or robotics is a significant plus.
• Certifications: Must possess or be willing to obtain:
• Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff.
• CPR/First Aid Certification (Pediatric and Adult).
• MAT (Medication Administration Training) certification (preferred).
• Background Clearance: Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting (VDOE/Central Registry) and a TB screening.

 Technical & Core Competencies

• Science Instruction Skills: Ability to simplify complex concepts into kid-friendly explanations and experiments using safe, everyday materials.
• Instructional Agility: The ability to differentiate instruction from early learners (age 2+) to school-age children while keeping lessons engaging and developmentally appropriate.
• Mission Alignment: A deep resonance with the CORE Foundation’s commitment to community impact, equity, and the pursuit of excellence.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to move quickly to respond to emergencies or active children.

About Us

Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)M™ innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.