Teacher Birth-Three

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

ORGANIZATION: Marillac St. Vincent Family Services  

CUSTOMARY HOURS:  

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt                    HOURS/WEEK:  40                                   DIVISION:                                 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 oneself 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 these initiatives 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

Under the guidance of Lead Teachers:

 Administration

• In conjunction with Lead Teacher and assistant teacher , develop and maintain confidential education information for children.
• In the absences of Lead Teacher, facilitate and document weekly team meetings.
• In conjunction with Lead Teacher, monitor and ensure that daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed.
• Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher.
• Ensure all confidential information is protected.
• Work collaboratively with Asst. Director and Lead Teacher to assess strengths, challenges and develop goals annually. 
• Work collaboratively with Assistant Teacher to develop professional goals and review quarterly to make necessary adjustments. 
• 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

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities which will promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
• In conjunction with Lead Teacher and Assistant teacher , develop lesson plans with goals, objectives activities, and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, and parent involvement into the plans.
• Work with support staff to integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood Education.
• Work collaboratively with teaching team and support staff to integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.

Classroom Environment

• Assume responsibility for the management of the classroom during the Lead Teacher’s absence.
• In conjunction with Lead Teacher, 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.
• Ensure that all children are always under appropriate supervision.
• In conjunction with Lead Teacher, maintain an attractive, clean, safe, and engaging environment that encourages children’s independence and self-selection of activities. 
• Establish and create a secure environment that invites learning through exploration and discovery. 
• Ensure that all children are always under appropriate supervision.
• Maintain and care for equipment and materials. 
• Notify supervisor and appropriate parties of any needed repairs or maintenance in classroom, playground, gym, and large motor room.

Parent Involvement

• In coordination with Assistant Director, Lead Teacher, and Family Support: 
  1. Schedule and ensure completion of at least two Parent Teacher conferences for each child.
  2. In conjunction with Assistant Director and Lead Teacher, encourage parent participation in the program.
  3. Develop effective partnerships with families.
  4. Provide examples and ideas for educational activities for parent/child participation at home.
  5. In conjunction with Lead Teacher, encourage family engagement, including participation in quarterly Family Engagement Events.
  6. Develop effective partnerships with families.

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.

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD), IT Credential Level 4 and ECE credential level 4
• Member of Illinois  Gateways
• Three (3) years prior teaching experience in relevant early childhood group setting
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages birth to 3 years

 Qualifications

• Ability to establish a respectful and trustworthy relationship with toddlers, twos, and their families. 
• Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with Teacher Assistants, including assisting them in increasing their professional knowledge and skills regarding developmentally appropriate practices for toddlers and two’s.
• 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.