Lead Teacher: Birth to Three

JOB TITLE:      Lead Teacher- Birth-Three                STATUS:    Full Time

ORGANIZATION: Marillac St. Vincent Family Services             

FLSA STATUS:    Non-Exempt                         HOURS/WEEK:  40            

DIVISION:     St. Vincent de Paul Center

DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Programs

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:  

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES:  None

Mission

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens, empowers and gives voice to those in need – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people

     Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

Team Behaviors

1.    Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.

2.    A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals. 

3.    Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.

4.    Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.

5.    Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.

General Summary

Background

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services has been providing high quality social services to the communities of Chicago since 1914.  We strengthen, empower and give voice to those in need – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.  Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.  

In the Birth to Three Child Development Program we provide high quality full day early learning experiences utilizing the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos, and Teaching Strategies Gold. We keep class sizes small, minimize transitions, and practice continuity of care and primary caregiving to reinforce stable relationships, which are an essential component for young children’s learning. Through the continuity of care model children stay with the same team of teachers as they grow, and each child is assigned to one caregiver who is principally responsible for that child. At the heart of our program is a commitment that respects the differing cultures, lifestyles, preferences, abilities, learning styles and needs of the infants, toddlers, and families we serve.

Duties & Responsibilities

Job Description Summary For Lead

Under the guidance of a Child Development Manager Infant-Toddler Specialist, our Lead Teachers:

•    Ensure their teaching teams work cooperatively to plan and implement individual educational plans for young children ages birth through 3 years. These educational plans must encourage every child’s social, emotional, physical, and language development in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development.

•    Ensure that all necessary paperwork for classroom is completed accurately and turned into manager on time.

•    Ensure that all information that is entered into TSG is accurate and done weekly by all team members 

•    Ensure the teaching team provides a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment enriched by high quality language experiences with an emphasis on social and emotional growth.  

•    Implement all program requirements in adherence to performance and outcome standards as prescribed by the requirements of the center’s multiple funding partners and in accordance with each child’s ability, the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) core components, and the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines

•    Ensure that  we  make appointments and complete home visits and parent teacher conferences

Coaching

•    Coach Teacher Assistants in the classroom

•    Model developmentally appropriate practice 

•     Coaching responsibility including:

o    Complete and execute collaborative staff goal setting and implementation.

o    Goal setting includes:

    Strengthening teacher child interactions, curriculum development, child assessments, observation and documentation, integrating content through studies and partnering with families.

o    Review staff goals quarterly, develop new goals (if applicable), and provide feedback and guidance.

o    Guide, direct and evaluate Teacher Assistants, Foster Grandparent, and Child Development students.

o    Conduct team and individual reflective guidance meetings.

o    Work collaboratively with team on time off requests.

Administration

•     Work Collaboratively with team to ensure that they develop and maintain confidential education information for each child.

•    Facilitate and document weekly team meetings

•    Ensure all required program documentation is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner

•    Monitor and ensure that daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed.

•    Ensure all confidential information is protected.

•    Work collaboratively with Supervisor and Director to assess strengths, challenges and develop goals annually.  

•    Input classroom data into appropriate information systems.

Child Development

•    Observe, assess and document each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.

•    Provide opportunities for the children to develop positive self-images and experience success.

•    Ensure the development of individualized education for each child is documented.

•    Ensure the development and implementation of individualized educational activities is incorporated into lessons plan for each child.

•    Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.

Curriculum

•    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood Education.

•    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Infant and toddler development

•    Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities which will promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.

•    Work collaboratively with team to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives activities, and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement into the plans.

•    In collaboration with the Birth to 3 manager implement and help assess the program’s educational plan.

•    Work collaboratively with support staff to integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.

Classroom Environment

•    Establish and maintain a classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques that meets state and local licensing regulations, NAEYC performance standards and St. Vincent’s philosophy and curriculum.

•    Establish and create a secure environment that invites learning through exploration and discovery.  

•    Ensure that all children are always under appropriate supervision.

•    Develop and maintain an attractive, clean, safe, and engaging environment that encourages children’s independence and self-selection of activities. 

•    Work collaboratively with team to ensure they care for equipment and materials. 

•    Notify supervisor and appropriate parties of any needed repairs or maintenance in classroom, playground, gym, and large motor room.

•    Ensure that daily, weekly and monthly health and safety policies and procedures are implemented and documented 

Parent Involvement

•    In coordination with birth to 3 manager, teaching team and Family Support: 

o    Schedule and ensure completion of at least two Parent Teacher conferences for each child.

o    Encourage and provide opportunities for parent participation in the program.

o    Provide examples and ideas for educational activities for parent/child participation at home.

o    Encourage family engagement, including quarterly Family Engagement Events.

o    Develop effective partnerships with families.

o    Ensure that teaching team is sending information and activities via Remind App and TSG family

Other

•    Attend all required meetings and trainings, including mentoring and coaching trainings.

•    Regularly participate and make contributions at Teacher meetings, trainings, supervision, weekly team meetings; etc.

Complete a minimal of (20) CEU’s annually to meet DCFS and Accreditation continuing education with infant and toddler focus

•    Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

o    Track the utilization of materials, recommends supplies, equipment and supplies needed for program.

o    Provide classroom coverage as needed to ensure teacher, child ratios.

o    Provide recommendations in the evaluations and corrective actions of Teacher Assistants.

o    Complete required documentation for monthly State Pre-K reports.

•    Follow all mandates of NAEYC, state and local licensing and St. Vincent’s philosophy and curriculum.

Act with integrity and aspire to model our Core Values in the delivery of all services

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

Education/Experience

•  Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Family Studies or Equivalent and an IT credential Level 5 and ECE Level 5 required

•    Three (3) years prior teaching experience with birth to 3-year-old children 

•    Three (3) year experience working in early childhood setting

•    Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold

•    Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 15 months to 3 years

Qualifications

•    Ability to establish a respectful and trustworthy relationship with birth to three and their families 

•    Ability to establish a respectful, cooperative and collaborative relationship with co-teachers

•    Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with Teacher Assistants, including assisting them in increasing their professional knowledge and skills regarding developmentally appropriate practices for birth to three

•    Ability to take a leadership role in classroom to ensure that paperwork is accurate and timely

•    Ability to read and speak English proficiently

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.

1.    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  

2.    Possess the ability to fulfill and any all office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to: remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.)

3.    The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-25 pounds. 

4.    At times, may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position. 

5.    Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

1.    Internal office space.  

2.    The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.