Lead Teacher- Preschool - Educare Center

OFFICIAL TITLE :

• Lead Teacher    SUPERVISOR :                               Center Director SALARY RANGE :                     In accordance with Sheltering Arms Salary Schedules TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT :      Full time, full year overtime exempt _____________________________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY DESCRIPTION : The Lead Teacher is responsible for ensuring the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team.  They assist with the planning and implementation of the curriculum.     PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES :       Maintains a Safe and Healthy Environment  Maintain an orderly learning environment.  Promote healthy eating practices by eating with children.  Help children maintain proper dental hygiene according to regulations.  Post necessary health and safety information.  Share routine duties with other staff (supervision on playground, toileting, cleanup, classroom maintenance).  Assist in keeping room and other areas neat and clean.  Interact with children in activities they are supervising.  Perform health checks on children daily.  Perform daily classroom and playground safety checks and report deficiencies to Curriculum       Specialist / Center Director.  Perform appropriate hand washing and sanitizing procedures.   Ensure that Active Supervision policies are followed at all times to ensure safety of children while under our care.        Demonstrates Physical & Cognitive Competence  Provide balance between child / teacher-initiated activities.  Use equipment / materials to promote physical development.  Provide balance between quiet / active learning activities.  Involve children in planning and implementing activities.  Provide an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children.  Plan and implement activities that promote acquisition of number concepts.  Plan and implement experiences that promote language and literacy development.  Consider outdoors as a part of the learning environment.  Assess children’s needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis.  Maintain lesson plans on a weekly basis.  Use the results of assessments to plan activities for children based on their developmental level.  Prepare activities ahead of time so materials are in order when needed and follow through with planned activities.  Share knowledge of children’s developmental stages by planning age-appropriate activities.     Supports Social and Emotional Development and Provides Positive Guidance  Plan and implement hands-on activities that develop positive self-esteem.  Plan and implement hands-on activities that develop social skills.  Plan and implement culturally diverse experiences.  Promote the use of positive guidance techniques.  Provide a wide variety of creative / expressive activities.  Establish routines with smooth transition periods.  Encourage children to be independent in decision making and self-care (dressing, toileting, etc.)  Greet children upon arrival and departure.  Show each child affection and attention daily.  Encourage children to problem solve and discover.  Help children work out problems by encouraging them to talk about their feelings (anger, sadness, fear, etc.) and express them appropriately.  Must be willing to work with special needs children and families.        Establishes Positive and Productive Relationships with Families  Greet parents and other visitors with a smile and friendly manner.  Take time to explain classroom activities and projects to parents.  Provide verbal and / or written communication to parent’s daily regarding child’s activities.  Relate assessment information to parents and offer support for dealing with children at different developmental stages.  Plan and conducts home and / or personal visits.  Promote communication with parents through Procare, progress notes, monthly newsletters, and parent conferences.  Provide a variety of ways that families can participate in the program and encourage family engagement.     Maintain a Commitment to Professionalism  1.
• Attend staff and parent leadership meetings.  2.
• Attend conference and in-service training.  3.
• Make observable use of knowledge gained from conferences and courses.  4.
• Share new ideas and skills with other staff members.  5.
• Promote the Agency’s philosophy and educational objectives.  6.
• Report to the Center Director before workday begins when planning to be absent.  7.
• Maintain a good attendance record.  8.
• Report to classroom according to schedule.  9.
• Follow center rules regarding breaks, telephones, maintain timecard, etc.  10.
• Demonstrate proficiency in required job skills and knowledge.  11.

Exhibit ability to learn and apply new skills.  12.

Ensure that children’s developmental assessments are completed and on-going assessments are used for planning.  Teamwork :

There may be a number of situations happening at once, and the Lead Teacher must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.     EVALUATION :