Lead Teacher

The Opportunity

Sipe's Orchard Home serves 4-5 year old children through two North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) classrooms at its Tyndall Center.

The Lead Teacher plays a critical role in preparing children for a successful transition to kindergarten. This full-time, contracted 10-month position follows the Catawba County Pre-K school calendar and provides the opportunity to create an engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that fosters children's academic, social, and emotional growth. The Lead Teacher partners closely with families and colleagues to ensure each child is equipped with the skills and confidence needed for future success. Employment is offered on an annual basis, with renewal contingent upon program needs, funding availability, required licensure, and satisfactory performance.

This is a remarkable opportunity for a nurturing and creative leader to join a much-revered 80+ year old organization working toward the mission of preparing children and youth for their best futures.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of child development and best practices in early childhood education, with a passion for preparing four to five-year-old children for lifelong academic and social success. Holding a North Carolina Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License, this educator will create a classroom environment that is engaging, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with North Carolina Pre-K standards.

The ideal teacher will have experience implementing evidence-based instructional practices and be comfortable utilizing Creative Curriculum to develop lesson plans, assess student progress, and individualize instruction. They will understand the importance of balancing structured learning with purposeful play while fostering children's cognitive, language, physical, emotional, and social development.

Child-Centered Instruction and Classroom Leadership

This educator will create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming classroom where every child feels valued, respected, and capable of learning. They will demonstrate exceptional classroom management skills while building positive relationships that encourage curiosity, confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

The ideal candidate will effectively differentiate instruction to meet the diverse developmental needs of children and thoughtfully monitor each child's progress toward kindergarten readiness. They will maintain high expectations while recognizing that every child learns at their own pace and deserves individualized support.

Collaboration and Communication

The successful teacher will thrive as a collaborative member of the Sipe's Orchard Home team. They will communicate effectively with teaching assistants, administrators and colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to student success. This individual will value teamwork, willingly share ideas and resources, and contribute positively to a culture of mutual support and continuous improvement.

Equally important, the teacher will build trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through open, respectful, and consistent communication. They will recognize families as essential partners in a child's education and actively engage them in supporting student learning and development.

Professionalism and Continuous Learning

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, time management, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively. They will consistently meet deadlines, maintain accurate documentation, and comply with all North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), licensing, and program requirements.

Committed to lifelong learning, the successful candidate will actively participate in required professional development (including CEU’s required by the DPI/DCDEE), workshops, and continuing education opportunities while continually seeking new strategies to strengthen instructional practice and improve student outcomes.

Mission Alignment and Compassionate Service

Above all, the successful candidate will embrace Sipe's Orchard Home's mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures. They will understand that the NC Pre-K classroom serves as a critical foundation in a child's educational journey and will approach each day with compassion, patience, optimism, and a genuine commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.

The ideal educator will value diversity, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and foster an environment where children and families from all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. They will take pride in contributing to an organization that has served children and families for more than 80 years and is dedicated to creating brighter futures through education, relationships, and opportunity.

Additional Preferred Attributes

• A genuine passion for early childhood education and helping young children develop a lifelong love of learning.
• A nurturing, patient, and encouraging approach that supports children's academic, social, and emotional development.
• Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 4–5.
• The ability to create a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom where every child feels valued and supported.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, and colleagues.
• Experience implementing high-quality early childhood curriculum, preferably Creative Curriculum.
• Strong organizational skills, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous learning and collaboration.

·         An understanding of trauma-informed practices and a belief in every child's ability to succeed. About the Organization

Our History

For more than 80 years, Sipe's Orchard Home has been helping children and young adults overcome adversity and build successful, independent futures. Founded in 1943 by Vernon O. and Viola Sipe, the organization has evolved from a traditional children's home into an innovative nonprofit serving children, youth, and young adults throughout western North Carolina. Guided by its mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures, Sipe's provides a continuum of programs that equip young people with the education, life skills, relationships, and support needed to thrive.

The North Carolina Pre-K Program serves as the starting point for many children on that journey. Located in the Tyndall Center on the Sipe's campus, the licensed NC Pre-K program provides high-quality early childhood education for four/five-year-old children, preparing them academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally for success in kindergarten and beyond. Through developmentally appropriate instruction, strong family partnerships, and a nurturing learning environment, the program helps children build the confidence, curiosity, and foundational skills that support lifelong learning.

The NC Pre-K program is one part of Sipe's comprehensive continuum of services, which also includes summer enrichment, transitional living, young adult services, workforce readiness, life-skills development, and community partnerships that help remove barriers to long-term success. This integrated approach allows Sipe's Orchard Home to support children and families at multiple stages of development while remaining focused on lasting outcomes rather than short-term interventions.

Throughout every program, Sipe's Orchard Home is known for its deeply relational and trauma-informed approach. The organization's culture emphasizes compassion balanced with accountability, individualized support, long-term relationship building, and collaboration with families and community partners. Staff are united by a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that lasting change begins by building strong foundations early in life.

Today, Sipe's Orchard Home is recognized as a trusted resource throughout Catawba County and the surrounding region. By working collaboratively with schools, behavioral health providers, local governments, and community organizations, Sipe's helps ensure children and young adults receive the coordinated support they need to build brighter futures. As a Lead Teacher, you will play an essential role in advancing that mission by providing young learners with a strong educational foundation during one of the most important stages of their development.

Not Your Typical Teaching Experience

This is more than a teaching position - it's an opportunity to become part of a mission-driven organization that has been transforming the lives of children and families for more than 80 years. As a Lead Teacher in Sipe's Orchard Home's NC Pre-K program, you'll enjoy many of the rewards of teaching without many of the challenges often associated with traditional public school settings. Because the program operates within a nonprofit environment, you'll work in a close-knit, relationship-focused culture where your voice is valued and your contributions directly impact the children and families you serve.

Unlike larger school systems, Sipe's Orchard Home offers a highly personalized and supportive professional environment. The NC Pre-K program consists of just two classrooms led by two Lead Teachers, providing the opportunity to work as part of a small, collaborative team. Each Lead Teacher has a dedicated teacher assistant to support the needs of the children. The program is overseen by a dedicated director who serves in a principal-like role, offering individualized coaching, mentorship, and support while partnering with each teacher to establish and achieve professional development goals. This level of accessibility and personalized leadership is uncommon in traditional educational settings and creates an environment where teachers are known, supported, and empowered to grow professionally. Combined with the resources and stability of an established nonprofit, Sipe's Orchard Home offers educators the unique opportunity to build strong relationships, innovate in the classroom, and make a lasting difference in the lives of young children during one of the most important stages of their development. Want to know more? Visit https://www.sipesorchardhome.org/.

Think you are the next Sipes Orchard Home Lead Teacher?

To apply, click on the link to the Lead Teacher position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled with preference given to applications submitted by July 15th.

This position is offered as a 10-month annual contract aligned with the North Carolina Pre-K school calendar. Contract renewal is based on program needs, funding availability, licensure requirements, and satisfactory performance.

The pay range is $18-$20 per hour. Sipe's Orchard Home offers a competitive benefits package that reflects its commitment to supporting employees both personally and professionally. Benefits include an Employee Assistance Program, employer-paid life insurance, professional development assistance, and a retirement savings plan. You'll receive paid school holidays without having to accrue leave, along with 56 hours of paid time off each year, allowing you to enjoy meaningful time away while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Sipes Orchard Home seeks a diverse pool of candidates and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

About Armstrong McGuireArmstrong McGuire is a leading executive search, fundraising and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning.