UPK Teacher

Join the fastest-growing Academy of Early Education in the nation, where “Happy Happens Here!”

At The Learning Experience, our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Teachers are ambassadors of happiness who create meaningful moments that reflect our mission—to make a positive difference in the lives of children, their families, and the communities we serve.

As a UPK Teacher, you will prepare children for kindergarten by building strong academic, social-emotional, communication, and independence skills while inspiring joy, curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Compensation: $25.00–$30.00 per hour, based on education, certification, and experience. This is competitive with current Long Island UPK postings, which commonly fall around $22–$30 per hour. 

Educational Leader: Demonstrates enthusiasm for early childhood education and the expertise to guide classroom staff while maintaining a high-quality UPK learning environment.

Innate Educator: Possesses a passion for teaching and a commitment to meeting the developmental and academic needs of four-year-old children.

Passion for Impact: Is dedicated to supporting each child’s development, happiness, confidence, and kindergarten readiness.

Growth Mindset: Believes in the potential of every child and strives to instill a lifelong love of learning.

Collaborative Professional: Works effectively with families, colleagues, center leadership, and school district representatives.

Classroom Leadership: Plan, prepare, and maintain a stimulating, welcoming, and organized UPK classroom where children can learn, play, explore, and grow.

Curriculum Implementation: Bring The Learning Experience’s proprietary L.E.A.P. Curriculum® and UPK learning standards to life through engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction.

Kindergarten Readiness: Support children’s growth in early literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative arts, physical development, and social-emotional learning.

Lesson Planning: Develop and implement purposeful lesson plans, learning centers, small-group instruction, and individualized learning experiences.

Child Assessment: Observe, assess, and document each child’s progress using approved assessment tools, portfolios, work samples, and developmental data.

Individualized Support: Adapt instruction and classroom strategies to accommodate the individual strengths, needs, learning styles, and abilities of each child.

Classroom Management: Establish consistent routines, expectations, and positive guidance strategies that encourage independence, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Safety First: Maintain a safe, nurturing, and properly supervised environment in which children are safeguarded and able to thrive.

Family Communication: Regularly communicate with families regarding their child’s progress, classroom experiences, developmental milestones, and kindergarten readiness.

UPK Compliance: Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, lesson-planning, and classroom records in accordance with center, school district, OCFS, and New York State requirements.

Center Collaboration: Partner with center staff and leadership to support program quality, family engagement, retention, enrollment, and center-wide goals.

Relationship Building: Cultivate warm, professional relationships with children, families, colleagues, administrators, and community partners.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

High school diploma or GED required.

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, or a related field strongly preferred.

New York State teacher certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth–Grade 2, N–6, or another certification accepted by the partnering school district is preferred or required based on UPK contract guidelines.

Previous experience teaching preschool or UPK-aged children is required.

Demonstrated experience with classroom leadership, lesson planning, child assessment, and positive behavior guidance.

Strong knowledge of early childhood development and kindergarten-readiness expectations.

Must meet all center, school district, New York State, and federal employment requirements.

Must satisfy requirements related to background clearances, immunizations, employment physicals, and mandatory health and safety training.

CPR and First Aid certification preferred or must be obtained within the required timeframe.

Use sound judgment to identify and address potential health, safety, or supervision risks.

Ensure children are actively supervised and their daily care needs are appropriately met.

Assist children with toileting, dressing, grooming, meals, and other personal-care needs when necessary.

Model and encourage respectful communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

Keep children actively engaged in meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Maintain accurate classroom records and protect the confidentiality of children and families.

Demonstrate composure, patience, flexibility, and professionalism at all times.

Demonstrate the range of motion necessary to:

Stand and walk for extended periods.

Sit on the floor and move between child-level and adult-level positions.

Lift and carry objects or children weighing up to 40 pounds safely.

Reach, stretch, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Use a stool or ladder to access classroom materials when necessary.

Ability to supervise children effectively by sight and sound.

Ability to work outdoors during portions of the school day in temperatures ranging from approximately 20°F with wind chill to 95°F.

Maintain the mental and physical alertness, stamina, and consistent energy necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.