Early Childhood Lead Teacher (3-year-old classroom) - WVU Early Learning Institute

West Virginia University's Early Learning Institute (formerly the WVU Nursery School) invites applications for the Lead Teacher role in its 3-year-old classroom, beginning in August 2026.

About the Opportunity

Located in Krepps Park in Morgantown, the WVU Early Learning Institute is affiliated with WVU's School of Education and Counseling and provides early childhood learning experiences for 3- and 4-year-olds while also serving as an experiential learning site for future educators and students in other related fields at WVU. The WVU Early Learning Institute is transitioning to a full-day programming model starting in August 2026, with a 3-year-old class of 10 students and a 4-year-old/Pre-Kindergarten class of 20 students. The PreK classroom serves as a collaborative PreK site with Monongalia County Schools.

The Lead Teacher for the 3-year-old classroom will provide instructional leadership, planning and implementing developmentally appropriate early education practices and collaborating with the Director and other educators and staff to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all. The position is a ten-month staff appointment, beginning August 10, 2026. Opportunities with summer camp programming at the facility may be available based on need and demand.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• Paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Annual leave (vacation) (employee leave)
• Sick days (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

We are seeking a qualified and effective educator who will contribute to the mission of the WVU Early Learning Institute by working with staff, children, families, and university faculty and students in a dynamic, caring, and collaborative environment. As the Lead Teacher for the 3-year-old classroom, the successful candidate will:

• Serve as the lead teacher for the 3-year-old classroom, creating lesson plans, providing instruction, and ensuring that children are always appropriately supervised.
• Model and implement developmentally appropriate (early childhood) teaching and learning practices.
• Ensure that equipment and facility is clean, well maintained, and safe at all times.
• Design, construct, and implement curriculum units in coordination with and as approved by the Director.
• Maintain supplies and materials and requesting supply orders as needed.
• Coordinate with and supervise WVU student workers on site and WVU students who are on site for practicum or related experiences.
• Abide by all procedures related to distribution of snacks and meals to children.
• Assisting with hygiene of children enrolled.
• Maintain child academic, health, and parent information files.
• Complete individualized education plan (IEP) team meetings as necessary.
• Participate in open house, afterschool, and parent meetings as necessary.
• Participate in community and campus outreach activities as needed.
• Conduct required state and county educational screenings as needed.
• Complete and/or support state and county documentation as needed.
• Support the WVU Early Learning Institute Director to ensure compliance with all essential standards and regulations for State Pre-K classrooms. This includes administrative reporting and facilitations of on-site inspections related to WV Department of Health and Human Resource regulations, WV Fire Marshall, County Health Inspector, WVU Environmental Health and Safety, and all regulatory aspects of Policy 2525 (Universal Pre-K) and comply with Monongalia County Early Childhood Administrative personnel directives for environmental check lists, nutrition guides, and curriculum requirements.
• Attend faculty meetings when requested by the School, College, or University leadership.
• Perform other tasks and duties as needed to ensure smooth functioning of the WVU Early Learning Institute.

• Bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field OR any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience teaching/working in a daycare, early childhood, pre-kindergarten, and/or early elementary setting preferred.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for educating young children and ability to apply that knowledge in pre-school settings or within settings that serve children and families.
• Supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Organization and data-keeping skills.

• Eligibility to serve as a Lead Teacher per West Virginia childcare licensing regulations.
• Once hired, the following are required prior to start date:
  • WV CARES Background Check (WVU Title IX requirement and WVDHHR licensing requirement)
  • TB test
• Once hired, the following are required within the first three (3) months:
  • STARS Registry - WVDHHR licensing requirement
  • First Aide Training/CPR/AED and Fire Extinguisher Training (WVDHHR and WVU Environmental Health and Safety)
  • Food Handler Card (WVDHHR licensing requirement)
  • Title XI Training in child abuse and neglect and harassment training (WVU requirement)
  • CCRC - Child Abuse and Neglect Training (WVDHHR requirement)
• Once hired into the teaching position, additional trainings and certifications may be ncessary as required in relevant licensing and policy regulations.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.