Preschool Teacher

Early Childhood Education Teacher

Assist in meeting the programmatic requirements under DCFS Daycare Licensing, NAC Accrediting Body, Gateways, Garden of Prayer Early Intervention Center Policies, and Exelerate IL. The teacher is responsible for helping to ensure that the children of Garden of Prayer Early Education & Intervention Center receive high quality developmentally appropriate experiences. The teacher is responsible for positive learning outcomes for all children. The teacher must demonstrate effective ongoing collaboration with other team members.

Organizing and Coordinating

Screening/Intake

1. The teacher will assist with recruiting, selecting, and enrolling children in the programs.
2. The teacher will utilize testing and screening instruments (Ages and Stages, Teachers Strategies Gold) to test all students as required by curriculum.
3. The teacher may screen students daily for any transferrable viruses, sickness, bacteria, and illnesses to maintain the health of their students.
4. The teacher may screen students for any bumps, bruises, scars, whelps, and injuries as mandated reporters.
5. The teacher may provide tours of the center.
6. The teacher may be requested to assist with dental, vision, and hearing screenings.

Interfacing

1. The teacher will communicate and work with children with varying ages and skills; and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision at all times.
2. The teacher will observe student behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and provide discipline according to policy.
3. The teacher will set a good example for students including cleanliness, punctuality, sportsmanship, cooperation, and friendship.
4. The teacher will maintain positive professional relations with parents.
5. The teacher will eat with the children and provide appropriate discussions for meal times.

Classroom Management

The teacher will:

1. Ensure a safe and healthy environment that follows the GOP Early Education & Intervention Center Policies and the DCFS licensing standards and Job Function/Evaluations; The Lead Teacher will:
2. Arrange physical space into learning centers with a variety of materials rotated frequently and with children's materials separated from teacher supplies
3. Provide active and quiet areas in the classroom
4. Provide an individual labeled space for each child
5. Place dangerous items such as poisons, sharp scissors, and cleaners out of children's reach (see job targets for specifics)
6. Ensure a safe environment through daily classroom inspections of materials and equipment and reporting of unsafe/unhealthy conditions to appropriate persons.
7. Complete the health and safety checklist.
8. Ensure that the children are under proper supervision at all times
9. Maintain teacher/child ratios at all times
10. Will discipline according to policy
11. Ensure class schedule is followed

Curriculum Implementation

1. The teacher will provide a balance of curriculum that encourages social and cultural awareness; exploration; predicating and testing behaviors; choices of learning center activities; large and small groups and individualized activities (see job targets)
2. The teacher will obtain and maintain GOLD's Interrater Reliability Certification within the three months of the beginning of first year of implementation (or employment) and annually thereafter
3. The teacher will plan activities and methods for keeping parents interested and involved in their child's development. Invite parents to be a part of Teaching Strategies GOLD
4. The lead teacher will implement a curriculum that integrates all areas of development
5. The lead teacher will maintain/take heights and weights of the children in the classroom
6. The lead teacher will maintain positive parent involvement; including implementation of family literacy program
7. The lead teacher will perform other related duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Center Director and Site Director
8. The teacher must demonstrate belief in the GOP Early Education & Intervention Center's mission and Children and Family Services vision in all verbal and written communication.

Administrative

Documentation/Record Keeping

1. Collect daily attendance for program compliance
2. Ensure that all documentation and individualization takes place in a timely manner
3. Complete on-going observations, developmental screenings individual child assessments; child development plans/ individual goal sheets, IEP planning forms and lesson plans
4. Responsible for the preparation and submission of classroom lesson plans in advance
5. Maintain and submit accurate daily attendance and meal attendance
6. Identify and report to the proper staff person regarding children with potential special needs or behavioral concerns.
7. Schedule and conduct at least two parent-teacher conferences per year
8. Participate in the educational staffing and prepare notes from observations and assessments of children
9. Submit required paper work on time
10. Include parent and IFSP/IEP goals (if applicable) in individualized lesson plans

Agency Activities/Trainings/Other

1. Participate in an on-going training program in child development to further develop skills
2. Actively participate in orientation and staff training, and assigned staff meetings
3. Keep Children and Family Services, Gateway, NAC and Agency Certifications current as required
4. Obtain at least 15 clock hours of high-quality, classroom focused professional development per year
5. Be flexible
6. Demonstrate a willingness to accept supervision in order to improve work performance
7. Perform other duties as assigned at the direction of the Lead Teacher or Site Director

Salary: $49,900- $58,250

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off

Requirements

Toxicology screening prior to hire.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree in Early Child Education
2. Shall be at least the age of 21 years
3. A general knowledge of growth patterns and a sensitivity to the needs of young children and their parents
4. Appropriate judgment in the areas of child supervision and parent relations
5. Accuracy in the assessment of children's development and children's needs
6. Ability to communicate with children, parents, and local administrative staff, and especially the assistant teacher
7. Good communication (verbal and written skills)
8. Must be physically able to perform the job of a preschool teacher (e.g. able to lift children and/or equipment 40lbs; able to stoop, bend, sit, and stand for extended periods of time.
9. Must be CPR and First Aid certified.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to communicate and work with children with varying ages and skills; and provide necessary guidance, support, and supervision to participants at all times.
2. First aid and CPR certified
3. Ability to observe participant behavior and participation, assess appropriateness of such, and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures.
4. Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other risks related to an activity.
5. Physical endurance to engage children and adolescents in respective activities
6. Physical strength and ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring medical intervention, and de-escalation.
7. Cognitive ability to provide leadership to achieve participant goals and objectives.
8. Excellent communication and organizational skills
9. Able to work collaboratively with teams
10. Demonstrated reliability regarding attendance and work performance
11. Ability to be creative, flexible and adaptive in ALL activities and responsibilities
12. Must be a team player
13. Must want to help address the needs of the community
14. Duties as assigned may result in working weekends and/or holidays

Working Conditions

Normal working conditions with the absence of disagreeable elements