Lead Teacher, Head Start

Job Description

Job Title : Lead Teacher, Head Start

Department : Early Childhood Education

FLSA Status : Exempt (Salary)

Employment Type : Full-time

Location : Chicago, IL 60647

SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher provides direct care to children in a group setting and is responsible for developing educational / recreational lesson plans for each assigned child. He / she participates in the planning and supervision of seasonal family activities, gives program information to clients, engages in weekly staff meetings and client charting and provides direction to classroom assistant(s) and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for daily classroom instruction utilizing best practices as defined by NAEYC and COA accreditation standards, and for meeting state licensing requirements for the program in the structuring of the classroom.
• Responsible for keeping NAEYC classroom portfolio up-to-date and completing a new portfolio with each new program year.
• Ensures that developmental screenings (ASQ, ASQ-SE and ESI-R) are completed within 45 days of a child's entry or re-enrollment into the center.
• Uses Creative Curriculum GOLD assessment tool, completes weekly lesson plans based on each child's individual interests and needs and plans field trips and activities to ensure appropriate development of all children.
• Using observations, anecdotal records and assessments, provides a balanced daily program of child initiated and adult directed activities designed to enhance the healthy social / emotional, cognitive, language and motor development of each child and to modify and enrich the learning environment.
• Conducts regular observations and recordings of each child's progress as related to his / her IEP, IFSP and / or individualized goals, and completes appropriate referrals for developmental purposes.
• Reflects the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of all children in materials, equipment and learning experiences.
• Facilitates development of self control in children by using positive guidance techniques.
• Listens and responds to children and parents positively and with attention and respect.
• Facilitates ways for parents to be involved in the daily program in meaningful ways, which may include encouraging parents to participate in lesson planning and developmental portfolios and / or provide input into planning menus, field trips, etc.
• Encourages parents to attend monthly parent meetings, home visits, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings / activities
• Assists parents in transition activities within the Early Learning Center, or related to entering or leaving Children's Place.
• Participates in All Staff Meetings and ongoing training opportunities available through Children's Place.
• Effectively trains, supervises and utilizes Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers; encourages staff development.
• Participates in bi-annual staffing meetings held on each child; works as part of a multidisciplinary team to identify and meet service needs of the child and family.
• Through participation in off-site trainings and meetings (for a minimum of 15 in-service hours), stays current in the field of early childhood education or child development.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information and records related to children and families in the 0-5 early childhood program at all times.
• Reports any child abuse or neglect to Program Manager; informs School Nurse of any change or concern in the medical condition or care of any child.
• Works as part of a team, seeking support and offering support when indicated; promotes team building and collaborative partnership among staff.
• Participates in Children's Place quality assurance initiatives as needed and appropriate to improve service quality and ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation and contractual standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet new funding requirements or as assigned by the Program Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

In conjunction with the Program Manager and Education Coordinator, the Lead Teacher will supervise Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers in the classroom.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and / or harassment based on religious, marital, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation or other differences. Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive work environment.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE :

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb. Employee must be able to sit on the floor. Employee may also have to change diapers, bathe children and / or clean up bodily fluids.

The employee must frequently lift up to 40 pounds. Specific vision requirements for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may become loud at times. As appropriate to the job, the work environment may include any or all of the following : working with others, verbal contact with others and face-to-face contact; working inside; working outside.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and / or skills required of all employees so classified.