Lead Teacher

Description

At Early Connections, we recognize the importance of responsible, educated, and creative teachers in our classrooms in order to maintain the high-quality programs we have worked so hard to achieve. We are a value-driven organization, committed to teamwork, collaboration, accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. We believe in outstanding customer service and continuous process improvement.

We are seeking dedicated individuals to share in our passion for children and families, values, and work ethic.

As a Lead Teacher with Early Connections, you will provide a nurturing and safe environment for young children to develop and reach age-appropriate milestones. Your days will include working directly with children in classrooms with lower teacher/child ratios than most centers.

Early Connections offers additional supports for our staff you won’t find in other early education organizations, including a Health & Nutrition Specialist and two Behavioral Health Specialists on staff to assist with children’s health and social emotional development. We also offer professional development opportunities and provide support for curriculum, assessment and family engagement.

Wage Range - $20.40 - $25.39 per hour PLUS a generous $1,000 Sign-On Bonus!

Employee Benefits (some benefits only available to full-time employees):

• Heath insurance
• Employer HRA $300 yearly deposit (when enrolled in medical plan)
• Life, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability and 403(b) available
• Child Care Discount for children ages 3 and up. Save up to $14,040 a year!
• Paid professional development
• Generous time off
• 12 paid holidays
• Free parking

Schedule:

• Day Shift
• Monday to Friday
• 8- and 10-hour shifts available

Education:

Must hold at minimum an AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. BA/BS in an unrelated field 6 credits in ECE and 9 months of classroom experience.

Essential Job Functions:

Lead Teachers plan and implement learning experiences that advance the development of the whole child. Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment by planning and implementing high quality learning experiences to advance the development of the whole child in partnership with families. Comply with all Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements and the National Association for The Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Standards. Implement a balance of group and individualized experiences to promote the development of school readiness skills.

• Assume full responsibility for classroom and children in the Co-Teacher’s absence. Assists and lead Co-Teacher with duties as delegated and accept supervision.
• Be a part of the planning and implementation of appropriate children’s learning activities to enhance skill development in all domains of learning.
• Ensure that the classroom environment (including outdoors) is clean, safe and appropriate, in accordance with CDHS Licensing, Health and Safety requirements, USDA food and sanitization requirements, NAEYC Cleaning and Sanitation Table, and Early Connections policies and procedures.
• Request, maintain, and prepare materials so they are adequate, appropriate, and safe. Maintain the outdoor area and classroom in a safe and clean manner, and meet all health and safety standards, including CACFP regulations.
• Demonstrate acceptance of all children (and their families) including those with special needs, behavioral challenges, diversity of culture, race, ethnicity and parental choices.
• Adhere to Early Connections policy of confidentiality.
• Engage in positive interactions with children, teachers, school personnel, Early Connections staff and families at all times.
• Present self and a professional in appearance, speech, attitude, values, and support of Early Connections’ mission at all times.
• Comply with all Early Connections policies and procedures, Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements, and NAEYC standards.
• Know, articulate, and apply concepts, principles, theory, and practices of Early Childhood Development. Be able to generalize in all situations, to support positive outcomes.
• Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, and numeric awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, and their problem-solving abilities.
• Individually document attendance, meal recording, NAEYC Accreditation data and the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment data (including input from families).
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for ethnic and economic backgrounds of families served.
• Facilitate family engagement and school readiness opportunities to include, Classroom Celebrations, Family Nights, and the GOLD Parent Site.
• Increase parents' knowledge about their child’s development via Parent/Teacher Conferences, Daily/Weekly Communication.
• Support the development of positive relationships between children and their families, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Communicate with appropriate staff (within all departments and community) to meet the needs of the classroom, children, families, and host schools.
• Share all information with co-workers and supervisors as appropriate and communicate openly and honestly.
• Use discretion and maintain confidentiality with matters of children, families, staff and program as appropriate.

Qualifications

Successful Candidates:

• Must hold at minimum an AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. BA/BS in an unrelated field 6 credits in ECE and 9 months of classroom experience.
• Documented experience teaching in the Early Childhood Education field working with children (birth to age six).
• Must meet Colorado minimum Rules and Regulations for Teachers. Must be Early Childhood Teacher qualified. (Additional coursework may be required based on classroom assignment.)
• Possess, or obtain within 60 days of hire, First Aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certifications

This position requires the ability to stand, sit, stoop, walk, climb, bend, and lift up to 20-25 pounds occasionally. The ability to actively participate with youth during program activities.

Note: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, sills, and abilities associated with the position.

Background Check Requirement:

• Criminal Check
• Employment Verification
• Education Check
• Pre-employment drug test
• Colorado Department of Human Services for fingerprints and background inquiry
• By position, Motor Vehicle Record

Early Connections is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $300 - $14,040