Job Title: Lead Teacher Supervisor’s Title: Director of Education
Status: Non-Exempt
Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of the Teacher is to provide a safe, loving and nurturing environment for children that will encourage their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development by providing developmentally appropriate curriculum at the child’s individual learning level.
Responsibilities:
Faculty/Children Interactions
· Respect and observe children’s interests to enhance children’s play with language, toys, and activities
· Intervene during play when needed to maintain safety and teach problem-solving
· Communicate directly with each child at the child’s level
· Be available and responsive to children’s needs, questions, and requests
· Interact frequently, respectfully and affectionately with all children, scaffolding their play and learning during work times, small group, outside time and transitions
· Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally appropriate
· Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ages and stages of development, and the general areas of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development
· Practice positive discipline techniques according to Positive Behavior Support and Conscious Discipline including the Six Steps of Conflict Resolution.
Curriculum
· Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum utilizing Learning Beyond Paper that reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with families
· Design an environment that responds to children’s individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs, and current interests
· Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities that foster social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question, and experiment
· Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices
· Encourage creative expression among students in the classroom, through conversations, art, music and dramatic play
· Plan a daily schedule that provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc.
· Plan and implement child-oriented, self-initiated activities while limiting large group, teacher-initiated activities
· Provide more than one option during group activities and maintain flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children’s interests
· Create documentation of children’s accomplishments through anecdotal notes, ProCare assessments and portfolios
Faculty/Parent Interactions
· Acknowledge families and all classroom visitors in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner
· Respond to families’ comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest and respect
· Establish and maintain a primary caregiving relationship with individual children and their families that includes initial meeting with families during orientation period
· Invite input from families regarding their child’s development and care
· Communicate verbally and in writing with families, daily, regarding the development, behavior, and specific activities of the children in their primary care
· Plan and facilitate regular conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child’s development based on appropriate assessment tools
· Assist in planning and attending school/classroom events and meetings
· Plan ways for all families to be involved in the classroom and their child’s learning
· Share resources with families through discussions, articles, community boards, newsletters, and community contacts
· Keep relationships with families friendly, but professional
Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition
· Ensure that minor maintenance work is completed in the classroom and on playground, including but not limited to: pulling weeds and vines, tightening screws and table legs, plunging toilets, or changing light bulbs
· Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the school
· Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of the entire group while working with a small group or individuals
· Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times
· Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day on daily tracking sheets
· Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices
· Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive by encouraging respect for classroom materials
· Notify the designated individual in advance when supplies are needed
· Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e. accident reports, daily reports, food counts, etc.) in a timely and efficient manner
· Arrange space in clearly defined, well-organized activity areas
· Organize and frequently rotate a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently
Professionalism/Teamwork
· Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, and arranging and communicating leave requests in advance
· Adhere to all policies concerning work schedules, absences, and tardiness as outlined in the WPDN Personnel Manual
· Maintain confidentiality according to the organization’s policies
· Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies to children, parents, co-workers, and the community
· Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in child care practices
· Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and other school events
· Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature
· Establish and maintain a relationship of cooperation and respect with co-workers
· Assume a fair share of work. Demonstrate initiative
· Provide direct, sandwich feedback to other teaching staff in a positive, respectful manner
· Offer and share ideas and materials with co-workers
· Communicate directly, work to resolve conflicts quickly, and avoid gossip
· Exhibit respect for diversity by utilizing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images and experiences
· You are expected to be cognizant that you are representing the Winter Park Day Nursery at all times both at work as well as outside of work
· Give feedback in a respectful manner
Physical Demands
· Follow state, federal, and Winter Park Day Nursery guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety trainings
· Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds: Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds
· Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions
· Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities
· Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies
· Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements
Requirements
· Must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school degree or GED.
· Meet federal as well as individual state requirements (i.e. physical health clearance, OSHA and CPR /1st aid) and maintain credentials for the position (i.e. ongoing training)
· Complete state mandated training and pass all tests within the required time frame
· Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum practice
· Knowledgeable in using basic technology such as Microsoft Word, tablets, computers, etc.
· Have two years child development work experience in a school, kindergarten, or licensed child care/family child care setting. One supervised teaching practicum is equal to one-year child development work experience. With Executive Director approval, extensive teaching experience may substitute for education requirements, provided professional development plan is in place.
· Preferred educational requirements:
· Related Degree (Bachelor’s or Associate’s) in Child Development, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child and Family Studies or related field including Elementary Education, Special Education, or Psychology with relevant course work
· Child Development Associate (CDA/FCCP)
· Unrelated Degree (Bachelor’s or Associate’s) with state required three college credit hours in early childhood curriculum and three college credit hours in child development birth to eight
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.60 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
