Lead Teachers and Assistants in the following classrooms:
- Infant
- Toddler
- Preschool
- Pre-K
- Explorers Club
A Lead Teacher at LITTLE EXPLORERS ACADEMY is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally, a Lead Teacher is responsible to work together with an Assistant Teacher and in conjunction with the entire staff.
Depends upon experience, availability, and qualifications.
Responsible for the safety of all children in the group ranging in age from Newborn to 12 months; 13 months to 18 months; 19 months to 24 months; 2 years; 3 years; 4 years; 5 years; 6 years to 12 years.
- Classroom management: Provide a Structured Academic Setting to ensure students are retaining learning concepts from our Montessori, Reggio Emilia, STEAM and FROG STREET based curriculum.
- Plan and implement activities that promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of all children.
- Responsible for the care, hygiene, learning, and developmental activities, and specialized programs.
- Communicates directly with parents regarding their child’s accomplishment, academic progress and daily activities.
- Maintain classroom records, cleanliness, and orderliness to align with state regulations, state standards and Center Policies.
- Demonstrated skills in early childhood curriculum and implementation.
- Actively engaged with the children at all times while serving as a role model through appearance and actions.
- Provide a loving and nurturing environment for all children.
- Follow lesson plans outlined in the developed curriculum.
- Develop opportunities to positively impact children’s self-esteem.
- Maintain an environment (both indoors and outdoors) that is safe, clean, and inviting.
All candidates, who wish to be considered for the position of Lead Teacher must meet one or more of the following criteria, in addition to any/all requirements that may be mandated by their state and/or local licensing authorities:
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development.
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
- An Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or a related field.
- An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
- A current CDA or Early Childhood Teaching Credential.
- Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.
- Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
- Establish and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment.
- Design an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom.
- Develop an appropriate classroom management system to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom.
- Ensure that classroom equipment is in good repair.
- Understand and implement Little Explorers Academy emergency procedure(s).
- Promote healthy eating practices at breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack times.
- Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements.
- Perform nominal cleaning responsibilities (e.g., spills, etc.) immediately.
- Perform major cleaning during times when children are not present.
- Post a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes a routine and learning opportunities.
- Post and adhere to all LEA Health and Safety policies and procedures.
- Adapt program to meet the individual needs of each child.
- Create a multi-cultural learning environment.
- Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials.
- Interaction with the children to support play, exploration and learning.
- Encourage children to talk with each other and with the faculty.
- Present age and developmentally appropriate expectations for all children.
- Create a print-rich environment in order for children to learn about books, literature and writing.
- Encourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play, gardening, manipulatives and blocks.
- Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities.
- Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play.
- Integrate LEA resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plans.
- Understand and adhere to the LEA Behavior Policy.
- Plan and implement activities to develop children’s self-esteem and social skills.
- Plan and implement activities to enable children’s feeling of security.
- Encourage empathetic and respectful feelings for others, as well as the environment, through positive modeling.
- Respect cultural and ethnic diversity.
- Communicate, in a professional manner, with families and faculty.
- Encourage families to become an integral part of their children’s learning experiences.
- Provide opportunities (e.g., conferences) in which families are made to feel a part of their children’s learning experiences.
- Prepare a Daily Activity Report for each child.
- Maintain a portfolio/file for each child.
- Maintain the classroom Parent Board.
- Assess supplies and materials needed to implement activities.
- Build teamwork.
- Develop lesson plan books and posted lesson plans.
- Manage classrooms according to GSI QA Standards.
- Perform child observations and document in their portfolios.
- Use assessment tools (e.g., Progress Reports, Children’s Progress).
- Promote LEA Christian philosophy and educational objectives.
- Support a code of ethical conduct.
- Pursue professional development/continuing education requirements each year.
- Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth opportunities as scheduled.
- CPR and First Aid Certification Required.
- Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education Preferred.
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education Preferred.
- Must meet or exceed state licensing requirements for age, education, and experience.
- 2+ years of early childhood education experience Preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to be flexible in assignment and work hours, including nights and weekends.
- Ability to work on their feet for long periods of time.
- Proficient in writing and interpersonal skills.
- Health, Dental, and Vision
- Direct Deposit
- Childcare Discount
- Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time
- Growth Opportunities
