Reports To: Director of Early Learning Center

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, School Calendar Year

General Description

Under the supervision of the Director, the Lead Teacher will nurture curiosity through purposeful learning experiences to guide in helping create a future full of lifelong learners, while preparing students for kindergarten. Meeting the needs of diversity of students and their families, while embracing students and families. The ideal candidate understands and embraces the importance of creating a healthy mental and emotional environment to assist the students in acclimating to the next level of education. 

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide and maintain appropriate, safe, nurturing classroom guidance, classroom management,
• Supervising children at all times: seeing and hearing children both indoors & outdoors 
• Ability to apply/understand emergency procedures 
• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment
• Ability to relate positively to young children
• Implements CACFP procedures and complies with all USDA laws
• Participate in scheduled staff meetings and parent-teacher conferences
• Assist the lead teacher with the planning and facilitation of field trips and/or special visitors
• Care for and meet the needs of all children in your care
• Classroom Management, Intentional Planning, and Meaningful Assessment
• Be able to communicate openly and positively with children, families, colleagues, and staff.
• Computer literacy: Word processing, database, Internet, spreadsheets, and e-mail
• Continue professional development
• Must understand child development and the manner in which children learn 
• Demonstrates evidence of sufficient emotional and social maturity and stability to function responsibly in a crisis or stressful situation 
• Understand the sensitivity to children’s individual needs, including learning, emotional, social, physical, and creative needs 
• Endorse and implement Indiana Early Learning Standards preparing students for Kindergarten
• Follow all state regulations and MCAS policies
• Enriches the educational program that enhances the cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, and physical development of young children.
• Responsible for maintaining required reports and documentation, that are accurate and correct including but not limited to, assessment data, developmental screening, behavior intervention plans, and conference notes.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in regards to children, parents, staff, students, and volunteers, following guidelines established by MCAS policies and articulated by the center’s director and MCAS policies
• Moves quickly to intervene in unsafe or dangerous situations. 
• Organize and prepare opportunities for children and families to create meaningful connections with the community.
• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities/lessons
• Develops and implements weekly lesson and unit plans that support each child's identified goals which reflect an integrated approach across all content areas.
• Uphold all responsibilities for mandated reporting as legally required by the State of Indiana

Education, Experience and Requirements

• 18 years of age 
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Meet all State Requirements
• Two year or four year degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field 
• Previous experience working with children in a group setting 
• Physically able to lift children or items up to or in excess 50 pounds 
• Ability to meet the physical demands of supervising and supporting children 
• Successful completion of First Aid Training, Universal Precautions, ILEAD, one hour of Jason Foundation Suicide Prevention Training and annual CPR

• All staff are required to have 12 hours of training annually 

• Annually receive a negative intradermal TB test
• Must pass a criminal background check and fingerprint screening
• Must pass drug test upon hire and subsequent random drug-testing

Salary and Benefits

Payment Type: $20.00 to $25.00 per hour commensurate with education

Benefits: No benefits, grant-funded

The Michigan City Area Schools does not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by Federal and/or State law (collectively, "Protected Classes"). This includes the Corporation's employment opportunities, programs, and/or activities, or, if initially occurring off Corporation grounds or outside the Corporation's employment opportunities, programs and activities, affecting the Corporation's environment. For further information, clarification, or complaint, please contact the MCAS School Administration, 408 S. Carroll Avenue, Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000 for Title IX (gender equity related issues); or Special Education Director , 408 S. Carroll Avenue, Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000 for Section 504 (non-discrimination/disability issues and Americans with Disabilities). Any other information concerning the above policies may be obtained by contacting the Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, 408 S. Carroll Ave., Michigan City, Indiana 46360 at (219) 873-2000.