SYLead Teacher

About Apple Tree

Apple Tree’s mission is to close the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten. To achieve this mission, we focus exclusively on Preschool and Pre‑K education. We provide free, full‑day public charter school programming for three‑ and four‑year olds in 12 locations across Washington, DC. Our award‑winning instructional model, called Every Child Ready (ECR), gives educators tools and resources for what to teach, how to teach, and how to measure success.

The model is also used with partners nationwide and is continually refined through feedback from Apple Tree educators, partners, and stakeholders to ensure children learn and explore through play and appropriate instruction.

The Lead Teacher, with the support of a teaching team, is responsible for the growth and development of a classroom of students. The Lead Teacher uses knowledge of child development, learning strategies, and science‑based practices to provide instruction and support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children. This is a non‑supervisory position that reports to the Principal. The role is on‑site and based in Washington, DC.

• Establish Rich And Engaging Physical Learning Environments
  • Create a safe, clean, thematically based, attractive, and engaging centers‑based classroom that encourages exploration and complex play.
  • Ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for weekly plans and all daily activities, and inventory unit materials before and after each unit.
  • Encourage children’s ownership and contributions to the classroom environment.
• Create Environments and Instructional Opportunities for Diverse Learners
  • Implement the ECR instructional model with fidelity and collaborate with the coach and principal to ensure fidelity.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Response to Intervention (RTI) instructional model.
  • Actively seek resources and supports for children who are not making expected progress and provide additional support for remediation and differentiation.
  • Use observational and assessment tools in collaboration with ECR standards to determine children’s needs and opportunities.
  • Differentiate instruction using data from a variety of sources.
  • Establish clear behavior expectations, rules, and procedures to maximize learning time, including universal behavior management systems and targeted plans.
  • Support diverse learners in the classroom, promoting tolerance, acceptance, and appreciation of others.
  • Collaborate with service providers and support staff (SPED, ELL, PBS, etc.) to meet all children’s needs.
• Support The Development Of Young Children
  • Plan adequate time for student talk and encourage language use throughout the day.
  • Integrate instructional activities that promote understanding of how things work and the world around them into the thematic curriculum.
  • Motivate students to participate in activities supporting early literacy, critical thinking, and language development.
  • Provide modeling and support for expressive and receptive language, social, and emotional development.
  • Plan intentional, systematic, playful, and engaging activities that support these developmental skills.
• Collaborate with Families and Communities
  • Build connections with children’s families and key community members.
  • Invite parents and community members to share skills, experiences, and cultures in the classroom.
  • Communicate school and individual goals and progress to families.
  • Support school‑wide family engagement activities and participate in at least one family event each month.
• Contribute To a Community Of Practice
  • Plan collaboratively and share ideas and resources with the instructional team.
  • Share best practices with the network and Apple Tree leadership.
  • Participate in at least one site‑wide committee and provide feedback on materials and practices.
  • Guide professional development and growth of teaching assistants and support team members in meeting professional goals.
  • Seek additional professional development opportunities and incorporate coaching feedback from observations.
  • Communicate professionally and constructively with colleagues.
  • Maintain professionalism, including…