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Lead Teacher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hughes Recruiting & Consulting

Lead Teacher

Rockford, IL · On-site

$20/hr

Lead Teacher : Rockford , Illinois Our customer in Rockford, Illinois is seeking motivated individuals to join their team. We're recruiting Lead Teachers to work full-time on 1st shift. As a Lead ...

Whitehouse Early Learning

Lead teacher

Strafford, NH · On-site

$14.25 - $19/hr

Lead teacher Now Hiring: Associate & Lead Teachers (Full-Time & Part-Time) Whitehouse Early Learning Center - Strafford, NH We're looking for caring, dependable educators to join our supportive ...

Growing Place

Lead Teacher

Santa Monica, CA

$28 - $30/hr

The Lead Teacher must be a critical thinker, reflective, communicative, professional, and committed to inquiry-based teacher research and professional development. Lead Teaching & Learning ...

The Goddard School

Lead Teacher

Atlanta, GA

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Overview A Lead Teacher at The Goddard School is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally a Lead Teacher is responsible to work ...

Finger Lakes Health

Lead Teacher

Geneva, NY

$17.57/hr

Finger Lakes Health seeks Lead Teacher to join our Jim Dooley Early Learning Center! Full Time Opening - Day Shift! No weekends and No holidays! Competitive salary and benefit package! Full Time ...

Finger Lakes Health

Lead Teacher

Geneva, NY · On-site

$17.57/hr

Finger Lakes Health seeks Lead Teacher to join our Jim Dooley Early Learning Center! Full Time Opening - Day Shift! No weekends and No holidays! Competitive salary and benefit package! Full Time ...

The Goddard School

Lead Teacher

Atlanta, GA

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Overview A Lead Teacher at The Goddard School is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally a Lead Teacher is responsible to work ...

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How much do lead teacher jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead teacher in the United States is $17.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead teacher?

A Lead Teacher is an experienced educator responsible for managing a classroom, developing lesson plans, and guiding other teachers or teaching assistants. They set the tone for the learning environment, ensure curriculum standards are met, and often mentor less experienced staff. Lead Teachers also communicate with parents, assess student progress, and help implement school policies. Their leadership is crucial for creating a positive and effective educational experience for students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead teacher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Teacher, you need strong instructional abilities, curriculum planning expertise, classroom management skills, and a relevant teaching certification or degree. Familiarity with educational technology platforms, assessment tools, and learning management systems is typically expected. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to foster a positive learning environment are standout soft skills in this role. These capabilities are essential for guiding both students and fellow educators, ensuring academic success and a supportive classroom culture.

What does a lead teacher do?

As a lead teacher, your responsibilities focus on instructing students, usually in an early childhood education or elementary classroom, while collaborating with assistant teachers and students’ families. Your duties include working under the direction of an administrator or principal to adhere to school policies and curriculum, teaching students using a curriculum and lesson plan, directing assistant teachers, communicating with parents and families to update them on student progress, conducting assessments, and coordinating special classroom programs. Lead teacher roles often require teaching qualifications in your state, including a bachelor’s degree in education and a teaching certification for instructing your specific grade level.

How does a lead teacher typically collaborate with assistant teachers and support staff to ensure a productive classroom environment?

Lead Teachers play a central role in guiding assistant teachers and support staff by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and modeling effective teaching strategies. They often delegate classroom tasks and encourage open communication to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities. Regular team meetings and collaborative lesson planning sessions help foster a cohesive approach to student learning and classroom management. This teamwork not only supports a positive learning environment for students but also promotes the professional growth of all staff members.

What is the difference between Lead Teacher vs Assistant Teacher?

AspectLead TeacherAssistant Teacher
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in education or related field, along with state certificationOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree; some positions may need early childhood education credits
Work EnvironmentResponsible for planning lessons, managing classroom activities, and supervising studentsSupports Lead Teacher in classroom activities, assists with student supervision and preparation
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in preschools, elementary schools, and childcare centersWorks alongside Lead Teachers in similar settings, often in early childhood education

Lead Teachers typically hold more advanced credentials and have greater responsibilities in lesson planning and classroom management. Assistant Teachers support Lead Teachers and focus on assisting with daily activities. Both roles are essential in early childhood education settings, but Lead Teachers usually have more experience and qualifications.

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What states have the most Lead Teacher jobs?

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For Lead Teacher jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Lead Teacher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Teacher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,871 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Lead Teacher

Hughes Recruiting & Consulting

Rockford, IL • On-site

$20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Lead Teacher: Rockford, Illinois
Our customer in Rockford, Illinois is seeking motivated individuals to join their team. We’re recruiting Lead Teachers to work full-time on 1st shift. As a Lead Teacher, you will be responsible for creating a secure, nurturing, and educational environment for 2-year-olds in collaboration with your teaching team.
Responsibilities of the Lead Teacher:
  • Lead instruction and care in a 2-year-old classroom
  • Plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum and activities
  • Foster a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment
  • Communicate regularly with families about children’s progress
  • Collaborate with team members to ensure consistent care and guidance
  • Maintain accurate records and meet licensing standards
Lead Teacher Requirements and Qualifications:
  • Must be DCFS Qualified and able to pass a DCFS background check
  • 60 college credit hours with 6 in early childhood OR
  • 30 college credit hours with 6 in early childhood plus 1 year (1,560 hours) child care experience
  • Previous lead teacher experience preferred
  • Strong understanding of child development from birth to 6 years
  • Ability to work well in a team and communicate effectively
  • Committed to providing high-quality care and education
Pay for Lead Teacher: Starting at $20/hour.
Lead Teacher Benefits:
  • Health insurance.
  • Paid time off.
  • 401k with company match.
  • Paid weekly.
  • Direct deposit.
  • Paid training.
Type: 1st Shift, Full-time
Schedule: Monday – Friday flexible within the time frame from 5:30am - 5:30pm.
Apply now!
Are you ready to move from the worries of today to your dreams of tomorrow? If so, give Hughes a call. We are the top-rated staffing, recruiting, and HR experts in the region. We are headquartered in Freeport, IL and have 11 locations across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Where we have offices, we have connections to the best local jobs! Walk in our doors and you’ll find friendly professional staff who dig deep, get results, and most importantly have fun! The reviews speak for themselves, at Hughes we quickly hook you up with companies that offer competitive pay rates, great culture & benefits, and a chance to elevate your life. We offer health insurance and 401(k) too to all our employees. To get the ball rolling, visit us online at www.hughesrecruiting.com and complete our application. We’ll be in touch soon!