Lead Teacher

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Lead Teacher is responsible for but is not limited to providing high quality education and care for the well-being and developmental growth of children in Toddlers and Transition classrooms as well as positive interactions with staff and families to ensure the program goals are being met. The Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining compliance with all reporting agencies such as DFPS Minimum Standards, CCS/TRS Rising Star requirements, CACFP, SA Metro Health regulations, and NAEYC criteria; implementing the daily lessons and schedules; and maintaining the classroom climate to promote learning, creativity, and growth of the individual child and the group.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position requires face to face interactions with co-workers, families, children, and the general public on a daily basis to accomplish all essential functions of the position.

• Responsible for direct, active, and adaptive supervision of the children to always ensure the safety of the group in care. Responsible for the management of the classroom environment and curriculum to include planning, preparing, and implementing monthly & weekly developmentally appropriate lesson plans based on each individual child’s developmental goals; creating and providing a warm, safe, and caring environment; maintaining an orderly, clean, and appealing classroom which allows the child to grow and explore; plans, prepares, and implements daily activities (indoor/outdoor) as they relate to the curriculum; interacts with the children and encourages their involvement in scheduled routines and daily activities; maintains ongoing developmental records for each child in the classroom by tracking & documenting all developing skills based on the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment tool,  maintaining “portfolios” of each child’s progress to include photographs, samples of artwork, writing, benchmarks, etc.; inputs bi-annual data from all assessments to track progress of program goals; and is responsible for the health, welfare, and safety of the children at all times. The Lead Teacher is responsible for the progress and development of the children in his/her care and will work with and coordinate with the Behavior & Inclusion Specialist, the Pediatric Therapy Clinic Manager, and the SESS Manager to ensure the development and education of the children in their classroom is maximized.  (55%)
• Responsible for positive face to face interactions with child(ren), parents, and staff.  Maintains great customer service as well as positive and professional communication with parents daily using the ProCare system, and/or verbally.  Ability to work with other staff members to form a positive, supportive team atmosphere; and ensures confidentiality of privileged information.  Oversees, trains, mentors, and utilizes support teachers (and volunteer’s) skills and abilities to ensure compliance of all regulatory agencies as well as Brighton Center policies and procedures. Collaborates proactively and intentionally with other Lead Teachers in the classroom, support teachers and supervisors to ensure effective communication, planning, organization, understanding, and compliance. Ability to take direction and feedback from ECE management as well as co-teachers. While the Lead Teacher is responsible for ensuring the interactions with children and parents in the classroom align with program standards, he/she will be responsible for all communication, as appropriate. (20%)
• Maintains all required reporting agency documents and reports pertaining to the class and/or individual children such as child daily reports, attendance reports, meal counts, cleaning checklists, etc.  This includes completing proper documentation of Teaching Strategies Gold assessments and progress reports for children (November & May); prepares and conducts Parent/Teacher Conferences twice annually in November & May for the children in their primary care group; and responsible for holding or initiating parent conference/meetings should a need arise. (10%)

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for compliance and understanding of the guidelines and general requirements needed for the program to include attending workshops, conferences, & any in-service training in order to maintain all required in-service training hours and completes an annual Individual Professional Development Plan.  The Lead Teacher is expected to select professional development seminars/courses that provide insight, knowledge and strategies that support the particular age group and development of the children in their assigned primary care group. (5%)
• Attends all staff meetings (Exact meeting dates and times TBD); all supervisory meetings, team planning meetings, and curriculum meetings as scheduled by the Program Director. (5%)
• Responsible for performing all other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to maintaining overall quality, following all precautions, procedures, tasks related to compliance, health, safety, and ensuring deadlines given are met. (5%)

• Required: Must be 18 years of age or older and have a High School Diploma or equivalent. Must be meet all mental and physical demands listed with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Required: Bachelor’s in education or related field of study with two (2) or more years of experience working in a licensed and/or accredited childcare center, special and/or early childhood education, or other experience working with children 0-5 years of age; or Associates of Applied Science in Child Development with six (6) years of experience working in a licensed and/or accredited childcare center, special and/or early childhood education, or other experience working with children 0-5 years of age; or ten (10) years or more of experience working in a licensed and/or accredited childcare center, special and/or early childhood education, or other experience working with children 0-5 years of age.

• NECESSARY SKILLS

• Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Core Values which are at the heart of our organization and are embedded in all roles.
• High quality of work; organization and planning skills; problem solving and decision-making skills; self-improvement and initiative; adaptability and flexibility; excellent communication skills; ability to work well with others and independently; and professionalism.
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices within the program.
• Ability to effectively interact and relate to children in a developmentally appropriate manner; must be sensitive to individual children’s differences and needs; and be willing to adjust the program & curriculum to meet those individual needs.
• Ability to use positive methods and supportive interactions that align with positive guidance and model the behaviors intended to be taught.
• Must be motivated to learn and grow in an educational environment; and be willing to continually increase knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Education.
• Must be able to relate with and speak to parents in a respectful and courteous manner; must be willing to work in a team environment to include willingness to share ideas & open to other’s ideas; and be flexible & willing to compromise.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with families, staff, and community.
• Ability to work with others in a supportive, professional, and cooperative manner.
• Demonstrates behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access as well as Adobe products.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply rules and regulations.

• MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress and empathize with families.
• Ability to ensure personal accountability, and compute and compile reports.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize under pressure.
• Ability to be flexible when there is unforeseen change or when the need for change presents.
• Ability to meet the physical demand of working with young children, such as twisting, lifting, moving, and sitting on the floor.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and work outdoors.
• Ability to work regular hours and some evenings or weekends as required.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb up and down stairs.

• TOP COMPETENCIES:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Comfort Around Authority
• Customer Focus
• Compassion
• Intellectual Acumen & Adaptability (Learning on the Fly)
• Integrity and Trust
• Personal Learning and Development / Technical Learning
• Creativity