JOB TITLE: Teacher – Infant Program
EXEMPT: No
REPORTS TO: Program Supervisor
SUMMARY: The Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. The Teacher ensures that all aspects of the classroom are operated in accordance with Trinity Early Learning Center and state licensing (DCYF) standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following as well as other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.
I. CHILD SUPERVISION AND INTERACTION
· Relates to all children in a friendly, positive and encouraging manner
· Responsible for a group of children with a minimum of seven and a maximum of 14 children per class
· Follows DCYF regulations and all TELC policies including but not limited to, group size, staff to child ratios, curriculum/activities, caregiver-child interaction, health and safety, physical environment, nutrition/meals, safety and security procedures
· Maintains records and reports on each child including attendance, health and safety
· Develops strategies and interventions as needed to deal appropriately and effectively with behavior and/or emotional problems ranging from mild to severe. Effectively implements strategies and communication methods with staff assigned to the room to meet the needs of all children including special needs children and children with allergies in the classroom according to established procedures and criteria
· Communicates effectively to ensure that children know what is expected of them; including the classroom rules, center rules, safety rules, behavior expectations and daily routine. This includes behaviors and rules such as using walking feet in the classroom, hallways and sidewalks, keeping hands and feet off the walls, using indoor talking voices, putting toys and equipment away in designated area when finished, how to properly care for and use materials and equipment, etc
· Promotes good habits in eating, playing, resting, diapering, toileting, self-help, hygiene and health care
· Assists in teaching children to become responsible for their decisions and actions
· Guides children’s behavior in a positive way that teaches self-respect along with respect for others and the community around them
· Communicates directly with each child at the child’s level
· Engages and communicates constructively with individual children during activities and routines
II. CURRICULUM PLANNING
· Prepares and implements age appropriate lesson plans and classroom schedules for daily activities that follow TELC curriculum and lesson planning standards
· Maintains an attractive, clean, fresh, inviting organized classroom environment that showcases children’s achievements and projects
· Completes and posts weekly lesson plans according to established curriculum criteria
· Demonstrates respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, materials, equipment and experiences which reflect TELC community
· Plans a daily schedule which provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc
· Plans curriculum yet maintains flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children’s interest
· Records major changes and reasons for change on lesson plans as needed
III. INTERACTION WITH CLASSROOM STAFF
· Fosters a sense of community in the classroom. Communicates respect, shares knowledge of curriculum practice and child development and learning
· Ensures that all staff working in the classroom are included as part of the classroom team, they understand what is expected of them, including the classroom rules, center rules, safety rules, job duties and daily routine
· Effectively models and ensures TELC and state licensing standards are met within the classroom and offers input on the job performance of all staff working in the classroom
· Communicates regularly to ensure that staff members are aware of the classroom schedule, break and lunch schedule, upcoming center events, field trips, activities, news or announcements, updates on staff changes, policy changes, child changes, etc
· Ensures that staff assigned to monitor the classroom during nap periods have tasks to be completed during naptime
IV. PARENT COMMUNICATION
· Maintains professional and regular communication with parents, including dailies/weeklies, parent conferences and developmental assessments
· Communicates appropriately with parents and keeps them informed of their child’s progress in a positive and supportive manner
V. INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM
· Meets regularly with the Program Supervisor and/or Director to discuss ideas, needs, concerns, feedback, classroom move-ups, etc
· Relates to other staff with courtesy, respect and acceptance
· Models appropriate behavior and communication skills
· Demonstrates interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships
· Shows ability to communicate in situations requiring tact and poise; skilled in confidentiality and discretion
· Communicates directly, works to resolve conflicts quickly, avoids gossip and looks for ways to be helpful to others
· Receives constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve
· Gives and receives feedback in a respectful manner
· Ability to communicate and work effectively with people of diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds
VI. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
· Takes responsibility for general classroom clean up and facility maintenance, assuming an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of staff. This includes the facility, classrooms, playgrounds, kitchen, laundry, staff room and special projects
· Meets established work deadlines including curriculum planning, training checklists, newsletter articles, parent communication, assessments, conference planning and other deadlines as assigned.
· Ensures that TELC Standards and Criteria and Code of Ethics are met at all times
· Completes the minimum required hours of professional development to maintain the annual training hour requirements as set forth in the DCYF regulations
· Attends and participates in all staff meetings and any required training for Teachers
· Maintains required current certification in First Aid and CPR and the Food Workers Card
· Completes Mandated Reporter of Child Abuse, and other DCYF Mandatory trainings
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
· Knowledge of, and agreement with, the goals, objectives and standards of TELC and its approach toward meeting the needs of working families in the communities we serve
· Requires general knowledge of child care and associated development, including federal and state regulations and laws governing child care and safety; knowledge of sound techniques in all aspects of child care and development
· Demonstrates knowledge of ages and stages of child development
· Understands the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for designated age group
· Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices.
· Displays a positive attitude and is highly motivated
· Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to delivering a quality early care and education program
· Utilizes positive classroom management techniques
· Enforces TELC policies with tact and courtesy
· Must be organized, creative, independent and self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, detail-oriented, flexible in scheduling and prioritization and driven by excellence
· Presents a neat, professional appearance
· Must be able to adjust tasks and focus with composure, and in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities
· Requires a good sense of humor and belief in working as a professional, cohesive team member
EDUCATION
· An Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field is preferred
EXPERIENCE
· At least one (1) year of Infant teaching experience with children ages 6 weeks- 12 months
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met (or may be encountered) by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
· Physical Demands Never/Rarely At Times Often/Constant
o Sitting (on chairs and on floor at child’s level) X
o Walking, Standing, Squatting, Stooping X
o Kneeling, Bending, Crouching X
o Reaching with hands and arms X
o Climbing or balancing X
o Lifting/carrying – light (up to 15 lbs) X
o Lifting/carrying – medium (15-25 lbs) X
o Lifting/carrying – heavy (over 25 lbs) X
o Perform CPR and Rescue Breathing X
o Able to see and hear and ability to react quickly X
o Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision X
o Depth perception, ability to adjust focus X
· Work Environment
o Working outdoors in outdoor weather conditions X
o Contact with hazardous materials
§ Blood borne pathogens, bacteria, viruses
and other substances requiring use of protective gloves X
o Dust, smoke X
o Odors X
o Moderate noise X
o Travel X
Pay: $18.24 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
