One City Schools, Inc.·Madison, Wisconsin
Design and implement play-based AnjiPlay curriculum to foster cognitive, social, and physical development in children ages 2-3. Lead classroom instruction while building secure relationships with scholars and maintaining strong partnerships with their families.
Preschool lead teacher (Ages 2-3)
One City Schools | Madison, Wisconsin Full-Time Position | 40+ Hours per Week
LEAD THE FUTURE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Ready to inspire and nurture our youngest learners while leading educational innovation? One City Schools seeks a dynamic, passionate Lead Teacher to guide our preschool scholars (ages 2-3) through foundational learning experiences. Join our award-winning team at One City Preschool, where we prepare 94% of preschoolers to test kindergarten-ready.
Learn more about One City Preschool at www.onecityschools.org/one-city-preschool and our Anji Play curriculum model at http://www.anjiplay.com. Also, watch videos about our schools on our YouTube Page at www.youtube.com/@OneCitySchools and learn more about our advocacy efforts at www.onecityadvocates.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW As a Preschool Lead Teacher, you'll design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum using AnjiPlay methodology while fostering comprehensive growth across all developmental areas. You'll lead classroom instruction, mentor young learners, and help shape the foundation of our scholars' educational journey by developing essential skills including cognitive readiness, social-emotional development, physical growth, creative expression, language acquisition, independence, and cultural awareness through play-based learning in a warm, nurturing environment.
Design and implement AnjiPlay curriculum experiences for ages 2-3 that integrate comprehensive developmental learning Foster cognitive and academic readiness through pre-literacy skills (letter recognition, phonemic awareness, storytelling) and basic numeracy concepts (counting, shapes, patterns, problem-solving) Develop critical thinking through exploration, questioning, and hands-on discovery activities Support physical development with both gross motor activities (running, jumping, climbing) and fine motor skill practice (drawing, cutting, manipulating objects) Facilitate creative expression through art, music, dramatic play, and open-ended activities that support cognitive development and emotional processing Build language and communication skills through rich conversations, vocabulary building, and diverse communication experiences Create purposeful lesson plans that maximize learning through play-based approaches Assess and adapt instruction to meet individual developmental needs across all learning areas Prepare children for kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning success
Mentor and
Inspire: Guide toddlers through critical early developmental milestones across all learning domains Create classroom environments that balance nurturing care with comprehensive educational experiences Support children's social and emotional development by providing opportunities for sharing, cooperation, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation Foster independence and self-care skills including age-appropriate self-help abilities, routine following, and personal responsibility Build secure relationships with children while encouraging peer connections and social belonging Promote cultural awareness and diversity through exposure to different cultures, languages, and family structures Encourage independence, self-esteem, and respect for individuality while building empathy and understanding Model loving, responsive interactions that build security and confidence in learning
Drive
School
Excellence: Participate in curriculum development and ongoing program reviews Engage in collaborative professional learning communities Maintain creative and orderly classroom environments Support family engagement and community building initiatives Build strong partnerships with families from diverse backgrounds
Minimum of two years of experience working with young children Bilingual Spanish abilities Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills
Exceptional benefits & compensation
Competitive salary reflecting education and experience 11-month assignment with standard work-day and dedicated planning time 18 PTO days plus holidays, spring break, and two-week winter break Full health benefits (medical, dental, vision) Life insurance and long-term disability Comprehensive professional development opportunities
Unique
Staff
Benefits: On-campus childcare center with automatic admission for your age-eligible child, if space available Home ownership support through Own-It Program ($19,000 down payment grants available) Access to cutting-edge early childhood educational resources Employee Assistance Plan and voluntary benefits options
To seed a new model of public education ensuring children are on track to succeed from birth through high school graduation.
Why One City? We're more than a school system—we are educational innovators influencing policy, curriculum, and teaching practices across Wisconsin and beyond. From pioneering pandemic safety protocols, to leading on compensation and working conditions for early childhood educators, to leading $2.6 billion in education funding advocacy, One City is shaping the future of public education
Ready to make an impact? Join our mission to transform education and change lives from the very beginning.
One City Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and applicants are treated with respect and dignity.
Positions remain open until filled - we're committed to finding the perfect fit for our scholars.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, GED, or HSED and be registered with the Wisconsin Child Care Registry. A minimum of two years of experience working with young children is preferred, along with a commitment to equity and early childhood development best practices.
Market context
In Wisconsin, classroom teacher roles are typically in steady demand as schools staff for core instruction and student support. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for a strong commitment to children’s learning, a high school diploma or GED, and any required state licensing, with ECE coursework preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure fit and highlight any child-focused experience in your application.
