Educational Director & Preschool Lead Teacher

Imagine ELC • Full-time • Port Washington, NY, US • $85k - $95k / year • 1d ago

Ready to inspire, lead, and grow? Join the vibrant teaching team at Imagine Early Learning Centers — a proud, 100% Employee-Owned Company where every team member has a voice and a stake in our shared success!

$500 Sign-On Bonus! (Taxable, paid after 3 months of successful employment)

Position: Educational Director & Preschool Lead Teacher

Location: Port Washington, NY

Imagine Early Learning Centers is looking for a passionate, dynamic NYS Certified B-2 Leader to bring energy, vision, and balanced leadership to our Port Washington center. Serving children from 2 months to 5 years old this exciting full-time role connects you with the heart of our community.

As an Educational Director & Preschool Lead Teacher, you'll enjoy the best of both worlds: staying directly connected to the classroom while rapidly accelerating your expertise in educational administration! You will split your time between overseeing daily center operations and actively serving as the Lead Teacher in our preschool classroom, maintaining classroom ratios and delivering a high-quality learning curriculum.

You won't step into this journey alone — you'll be warmly mentored by and partner with an exceptionally skilled team of long-tenured early childhood leaders who are dedicated to your professional growth!

We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative professional who is genuinely excited about providing world-class, nurturing childcare for working families, driving joyful center programming, and collaborating with upper-level management on transformative company-wide initiatives such as:

Championing our ESOP program and cultivating a thriving Employee-Ownership culture
Upholding highest-quality NYS OCFS, Quality Stars and NAEYC Standards
Inspiring creative curriculum development, implementation, and collaborative staff training
Building warm, meaningful, and lasting family relationships
Driving passionate recruitment and community outreach for enrollment and talent

We love leaders who connect effortlessly with educators, families, colleagues, and the wider community! Strong familiarity with Developmentally Appropriate Practice and NAEYC standards is preferred. Previous experience in a leadership role combined with with preschool classroom experience is a huge plus! New York State Teacher Certification Birth-2 years is required.

At Imagine, we empower bold, creative leadership and celebrate the magical synergy of teamwork and collaboration.

Explore our culture and story at www.imagineelc.com.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and participate in designing and delivering dynamic, Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum (including Imagine's BLOOMING Curriculum) that sparks curiosity and wonder.
Balance administrative director operations with daily classroom teaching responsibilities, ensuring seamless classroom ratio coverage.
Uphold continuous compliance with DOH licensing, DOE guidelines, and NAEYC principles with excellence and care.
Foster warm, open, and supportive communication with families, staff members, and advisory boards.
Demonstrate exceptional written communication skills to inspire and inform our community.
Embrace the requirements of active early learning — including lifting children, pushing strollers/buggies, sitting floor-level, and leading fun outdoor activities year-round!

What You'll Bring (Qualifications):

Master's degree and NYS Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education (B-2), Elementary, or Special Education.
1+ years of leadership/supervisory experience (Program Director, Assistant Director, Program Coordinator, or Supervising Lead Teacher).
2+ years of dedicated experience as an Early Childhood educator.

Competitive Salaries & Incredible Employee Benefits:

ESOP Retirement Plan: Become an owner! Eligible team members receive this valuable retirement benefit at zero cost to you.
Generous Paid Time Off: Full-Time employees accrue 22 Vacation Days and 7 Sick Days annually!
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for you and your family.
Prudential Life and AD&D Insurances - 1x annual salary, at no cost
Commuter - Transit (Subway, Bus, Train, Parking)
Voluntary Insurances: Short-Term Disability, Accident, Hospital
Tuition Reimbursement/Degree Incentive Reward
Educational Support programs available
Wellness Focus: Mental health support including 3 fully covered therapy visits per year.
Childcare Discount where available
Continuous Professional Development & career advancement paths.
TicketsatWork
$500 Sign-on Taxable Bonus

The Imagine Ownership Ethos

In 2026, Imagine officially became a 100% employee-owned company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). We don't just talk about team culture — we embody it! Every qualified team member receives a real financial stake in our success at no personal cost, fueling an empowering environment where every voice matters and collective growth is celebrated.

Who We Are

Imagine Early Learning Centers operates fourteen state-of-the-art, licensed, and NAEYC-accredited centers across the NY metro area for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Rooted in an vibrant ownership mindset, abundant promotion opportunities, and a collaborative, supportive community, Imagine is a place where teachers, children, and families thrive together. Join a passionate team where your individuality is celebrated, your career is supported, and your work truly makes a difference every day!

Related Jobs

Field Educational Director

Imagine ELC • Full-time • Bronx, NY, US • $85k - $95k / year • 1d ago

Management

1d ago

Apply

Traveling Superintendent

Shawmut • Full-time • New York, NY, US • 1m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

Overview First Finish, a premier full-service hotel renovation contractor is now part of the Shawmut family! As a 100% employee-owned company, we are committed to our people, client service, execution, and safety. Here...

1m ago

Apply

Crew Chief / Field Leader - Restoration & Reconstruction

ServiceMaster • Full-time • Valley Stream, NY, US • $20 - $30 / hour • 1m ago

Construction Management

Benefits: Bonus based on performance Company car Competitive salary Free uniforms Opportunity for advancement Paid time off Training & development $20–$30/hour | Full-Time | Nassau County, Long Island ServiceMaster b...

1m ago

Apply

Assistant Superintendent

Shawmut • Full-time • New York, NY, US • 2m ago

Construction Administrative Management Superintendent

Overview At Shawmut Design and Construction, we take pride in the culture we’ve built as a 100% employee-owned company—one that’s been recognized with more than 100 Best Place to Work awards. We’ve been honored as a Nati...

2m ago

Apply

Business Operations Manager

Imagine ELC • Full-time • New York, NY, US • $50k - $55k / year • 2m ago

Management

Join Imagine Early Learning Centers, a 100% employee-owned company, and help us open an exciting new early learning center in the heart of New York City. Imagine Early Learning Centers is seeking a Business Operations Ma...

2m ago

Apply

Senior Superintendent

Shawmut • Full-time • New York, NY, US • 2m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

2m ago

Apply

Superintendent

Shawmut • Full-time • New York, NY, US • 4m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

4m ago

Apply

Construction Superintendent (Stamford)

ServiceMaster • Full-time • Stamford, CT, US • $70k - $75k / year • 6m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Company car Competitive salary Dental insurance Free uniforms Health insurance Opportunity for advancement Paid time off Training & development Vision insurance Wellness resources Sta...

6m ago

Apply

Construction Superintendent

ServiceMaster • Full-time • Stamford, CT, US • $70k - $75k / year • 6m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

6m ago

Apply

Superintendent- Night Shift

Shawmut • Full-time • New York, NY, US • 7m ago

Construction Management Superintendent

Overview At Shawmut Design and Construction, we take pride in the culture we’ve built as a 100% employee-owned company—one that’s been recognized with more than 85 Best Place to Work awards. We’ve been honored as a Natio...

7m ago

Apply