Lead Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking enthusiastic educators to join our team! The Lead Teacher is responsible for the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care, which may include toddlers and/or preschool-age children; develops partnerships with birth parents/child’s caregivers to engage and encourage parent participation in the program. Lead Teacher is also responsible for assuring compliance with codes of all State and local governing contracting agencies; and works collegially with other staff member.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, weekly plans, and implements age appropriate curriculum (lesson plan) to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s develo

• Provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children’s learning and growth.

• Perform on-going developmental evaluations of children and develop lesson plans and follow curriculum implementation that addresses the individual needs of each child.

• On an on-going basis, plan, evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.

• Provide responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group.

• Prepare developmental progress reports as needed.

• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans.

• Completes child transition and orientation of the classroom with parents.

• Maintain ongoing, open communication with parents/ caregivers.

• Provide a classroom environment that encourages parent participation.

• Ensure that each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experience clear communication with teaching staff.

• Plan periodical parent conferences to discuss children's developmental progress, needs and interests.

• Liaison with children's families to ensure smooth transition from home to child care setting.

• Assist families with children's transitions from toddler to preschool and from preschool to kindergarten.

• Maintain accurate, complete and timely client and agency records; Completes daily meal and attendance records.

• Maintains up to date curriculum plans, individual child development profile and other records as needed.

• Completes and reports any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or child abuse hotline.

• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall wellbeing of the children.

• Assures a healthy, safe, clean and developmentally appropriate environment for children.

• Assist with functioning and monitoring of nutrition and food service.

• Assist with the supervision of staff and volunteers for child care setting.

• Conducts supervision on a weekly basis with Teachers Aides and Assistant Teachers.

• Ensures that the Teacher Aide and Assistant Teachers are kept updated in all matters concerning the classroom and program, i.e. Lead Teacher Meetings, lesson plans, policies & procedures, training received.

• Completes yearly performance evaluations.

• Provides functional training and guidance to staff, interns, substitutes and volunteers assigned to the classroom.

• Reports all staffing and classroom concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.

• Reports family changes in schedules and excessive absences to administration in a timely manner.

• Participate in on-going in-service and educational development opportunities provided by the Agency.

• Participate in ongoing development and evaluation of center’s goals and objectives.

• In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description

• Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission statements.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Early Child Development knowledge and experience.

• Effective communication, problem solving, and priority setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive and professional attitude /disposition.

• Ability to use the computer to input developmental data.

• Ability to effectively plan, organize and implement educational activities.

• Ability to make decisions on behalf of children and protect their well-being.

• Must be able to manage confidential information.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40 pound child.

• All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children and adolescents who are served by our agency. Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems. The staff must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, as well as appropriate role modeling. Hostility, aggression and unnecessary or inappropriate physical actions as well as inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Frequently walks, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and talks or hears.

• Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40 pound child.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• May occasionally be required to drive a motor vehicle.