Early Childhood - Preschool Lead Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

The Teacher is accountable for spearheading a collaborative teaching team, harmonizing the curriculum, and overseeing daily classroom operations. To create a safe, stimulating, and engaging environment, Teachers must grasp the complexities of children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Effective communication with both children and adults is essential to meet the needs of the children, guide teacher assistants, and address parental concerns.

• Plan and execute educational curriculum by creating engaging classroom activities aligned with developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.
• Model success and lead the teaching team by providing coaching and support.
• Design age-appropriate activities to encourage social, cognitive, and emotional growth in individual and group settings.
• Regularly communicate with parents through casual conversations, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences to ensure they are informed and involved.
• Ensure all center policies and state regulations are strictly adhered to.
• Maintain a healthy classroom environment, including upholding proper hygiene and cleanliness standards, and ensuring the safety and security of children.
• Supervise teacher assistants and classroom volunteers to guarantee they are following planned activities, hygiene, and safety protocols.
• Maintain accurate records, forms, and files in a timely and organized manner.
• Develop and maintain a personal professional development plan to consistently enhance teaching quality.

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• A strong understanding of child development is required.
• High energy and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• Associate’s Degree in early childhood education or related field of study with a minimum of 30 Credits in ECE.
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional child care experience.
• A strong understanding of child development is required.
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
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• May also be required to kneel, bend, squat or crawl.
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
• A specific vision ability will be required including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Requirements include the ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
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• A specific vision ability will be required including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.

Nevertheless, the following qualities are highly valued:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Our Mission

The Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center provides a creative and culturally diverse environment that fosters the emotional, social, and intellectual development of children. Our successes are achieved through family, staff, and community support and collaboration.