K-5 Classroom Lead

Position Overview:

King Street Center is seeking two Full-Time K-5 Classroom Leads who are responsible for the management of an afterschool classroom for a class of up to twenty kindergarten to 1st grade youth, or 2nd to 3rd grade youth. This position will start in August 2025. The Classroom Lead supports the K-5 Director of Academics and Director of Enrichment in developing an engaging curriculum, and then implements it daily with K-5 Program Staff. The expected work schedule is Monday to Friday 12:00pm to 6:00pm for 30 hours per week during the school year. Additional hours may be required for summer programming or school vacation weeks.

King Street Center, which serves predominantly BIPOC children from Burlington's immigrant communities, is a vibrant non-profit community center that empowers youth to explore their talents and find their voice through learning, play and opportunity. King Street Center strives to be one of the most racially diverse places to work in Vermont, as a community where both our youth and coworkers have shared identities or experiences. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children in the Burlington community and you have life or work experience with the communities we serve, we would love to hear from you. Contact us to set up a time to chat.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Classroom Management

  • Create and maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom environment—both physical and relational—that fosters emotional safety, inclusive culture, and student engagement, aligning with Responsive Classroom and MTSS/PBIS practices.

  • Teach, model, and reinforce age-appropriate behaviors, emotional regulation, and social-emotional learning strategies to support individual and group success.

  • Implement proactive behavior support strategies, including de-escalation techniques and accommodations for neurodivergent learners, with guidance from program directors as needed.

  • Lead the classroom team of program staff, volunteers, and interns; delegate responsibilities and provide coaching aligned with program values and goals.

  • Ensure student safety at all times, including transitions such as walking from Edmunds Elementary School to King Street Center (minimum two days per week), maintaining full awareness of student participation and whereabouts.

  • Uphold classroom compliance with licensing requirements including student-to-staff ratios, presence of first aid supplies, and adherence to screen time protocols.

Curriculum Development Support

  • Support the K-5 Director of Academics and Director of Enrichment in shaping overall program structure, design, and instructional approach.

  • Participate in the planning, implementation and leading curriculum and activities that aligns with grade-level VELS, program goals, and Vermont state licensing requirements.

  • Support implementation of academic activities during Boost Time, ensuring daily reading and homework are completed.

  • Support implementation of enrichment activities during Blocks and Activities Time.

  • Work with volunteers, program partners, interns and King Street Staff from other programs to offer unique opportunities 

  • Collaborate with other King Street Center programs and staff to coordinate space usage and develop cross-program opportunities.

Student Support & Family Engagement

  • Monitor and document student growth, achievements, and evolving interests to inform instruction and support.

  • Communicate consistently and effectively with Co-Directors  to share progress, successes, challenges, address concerns, and build strong partnerships; support communication with families and caregiver; participate in 1-2 family meetings as per family per year 

Other Responsibilities

  • Attend all required training and maintain compliance with licensing standards.

  • Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities related to growing skills in teaching, curriculum design, child development, and leadership

  • Be willing to drive a 15-passenger van after receiving training to support offsite programming 

  • Maintain the organization of the K-5 program storage spaces

  • General “housekeeping” matters such as classroom clean up

  • Be available for extended hours (up to 8 hours/day) during February, April, and summer vacation programs.

  • Other duties as assigned.

Relationships & Roles:

  • Reports directly to the K-5 Director of Academics and/or Director of Enrichment

  • Collaborates with K-5 Program Directors, K-5 Program Staff and other KSC program staff to develop and implement programming.

  • Engages with youth, families, volunteers, and community partners to foster a supportive program environment.

Qualifications:

Knowledge:

  • Child development and group dynamics.

  • Classroom management techniques

  • Curriculum planning techniques

Skills:

  • Strong interpersonal skills.

  • Strong organization, time management and problem solving skills.

  • Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.

  • Strong reading and math skills at a 5th grade level and the ability to explain curriculum to support youth in these areas

Abilities:

  • Ability to cooperate with others and work as part of a team.

  • Ability to be self-motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate professionally with children, families, coworkers, and the public.

  • Ability to take direction and adapt to feedback.

  • Ability to communicate effectively with children and families of diverse backgrounds and English language proficiency levels

  • Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

  • Cultural sensitivity, humility and curiosity

  • Comfortable using and learning technology including AI and smartboards

  • Valid drivers license and willingness to drive a 15 passenger van

  • Must pass a criminal background check through the VT Child Care Development Division and complete required training (CPR/First Aid, VT Orientation, Mandated Reporter Training).

Education

  • Required: 

    • High school diploma 

    • Some coursework or training in classroom management and curriculum design

  • Preferred: 

    • Associate’s or bachelor’s degree

  • Please note that K-5 Classroom Lead who have not completed a Bachelor’s degree will be required to complete one of the following within their first year of employment:

    • Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate

    • Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate

    • Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate

    • Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential

    • Vermont Program Director Credential

    • Vermont Teacher Licensure

    • Bachelor's Degree

Experience

  • Required: 

    • Experience with classroom management, and planning & implementing curriculum for elementary-aged youth in a formal education setting (e.g. after school program, school setting, daycare, etc)

    • Experience with BIPOC low income, refugee & immigrant communities

  • Preferred: 

    • At least one or more years of experience with classroom management and planning & implementing curriculum for elementary-aged youth in a formal education setting (e.g. after school program, school setting, daycare, etc)

    • Experience working with IEPs,  or with neurodivergent youth,  or with providing trauma informed care, or experience with descalation techniques, or in social work,  or with having completed relevant training on any of these topics 

    • Experience with teaching literacy, math or arts

Required Competencies:

  • Instills trust - gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity 

  • Manages ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear 

  • Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization 

  • Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said 

  • Being resilient -  Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

  • Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

  • Curiosity - Consistently seeks opportunities to learn, ask questions, and explore new ideas to improve outcomes and drive continuous growth.

Physical Requirements & Conditions of Work:

Work is conducted inside and outside during all seasons. Must be able to be physically active, participate in gross motor games, and walk distances to neighborhood sites. Occasional lifting of furniture, materials and children, weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasional interaction with children and families exhibiting some instability in their behavior. Some potential for risks to physical safety and security of the facility.  Potential for injury from physical interplay with children, and for illness passed along from children.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this position title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in this position, nor does every position necessarily require these duties.

Employment Details:

  • Start Date:  August 2025

  • Pay: $20-22/ hour

  • Hours: Full-time, non-exempt, 30 hours / week, year round

  • Location: This is an on-site position, with occasional trips off site

  • Benefits: 

    • Health Insurance

    • Vision Insurance

    • Dental Insurance

    • Healthy Living Allowance

    • Paid Time Off

    • Employee Assistance Program

    • Retirement Benefit

    • Parental Leave

    • Disability Insurance

    • Life Insurance

How to Apply:

Candidates should send the following to hr@kingstreetcenter.org:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter that includes:

  • Description of your experience working with BIPOC youth from low income, refugee and/or immigrant communities 

  • Why you would like to work at King Street Center

Please be prepared to submit three professional references at a later time

Not ready to apply, but want to learn more? Get in touch by filling out the form below!