NAYA Family Center is seeking a caring, reliable, and dedicated Pre-K Teacher to join our Early Childhood Education team. This role ensures, supports, and promotes each child’s safety, health, and development in partnership with families and early childhood professionals, while meeting Preschool for All Performance Standards, USDA guidelines, and state licensing regulations. Reporting to the program supervisor, you will help plan and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum that supports school readiness and fosters positive, engaging learning experiences for preschool-aged children.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match, paid vacation, and 16 paid holidays. This is a full-time position between the working hours of 9am – 6pm Monday through Friday, and may include early mornings, evenings, or additional hours as program needs require.

The hourly wage for this position is $23 per hour.

Who You Are

• Ideally, you have work or lived experience within Native communities—or a strong commitment to learning Native history and understanding the Urban Native experience.
• You are committed to supporting the safety, health, and development of preschool-aged children.
• You have experience working with young children in a preschool, Head Start, Preschool for All, or early learning environment.
• You understand and value culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate early childhood education practices.
• You are knowledgeable about or willing to learn Preschool for All and Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, and USDA guidelines.
• You communicate effectively with children, families, and colleagues and can build strong, trusting relationships.
• You are organized, dependable, and able to manage classroom routines, documentation, and multiple responsibilities.
• You are able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive child and family information with care.
• You are comfortable working collaboratively as part of a team and participating in professional development.

What You'll Do

• Create a safe, nurturing classroom that supports preschoolers’ growth, independence, and school readiness.
• Help plan and lead developmentally and culturally appropriate learning activities across social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive domains.
• Support daily classroom routines including meals, toileting, nap time, play, and early literacy and math activities.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with families through regular communication, conferences, and home visits.
• Work collaboratively with teaching teams, specialists, and program staff to support each child’s success.
• Maintain required documentation and child records accurately and on time.
• Participate in trainings, team meetings, and professional development.
• Support classroom operations by managing supplies and responding appropriately to emergencies.
• Represent NAYA with professionalism and contribute to a positive, safe environment.

Application Instructions

Providing a cover letter helps us best understand your interest in the role, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage Native people to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups, as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have served in the military.