CLC Head Teacher

CLC Head Teacher 

New London, CT, US 

Mitchell College is seeking to hire a Head Teacher for The Children’s Learning Center. The Children’s Learning Center is a preschool program that serves the children and families in Southeastern Connecticut. The program provides multiple opportunities to address a family’s need for quality education. Emphasis is placed on family involvement, creating a link between the home and school, and ensuring that family members are actively involved in their child’s early educational experience. The curriculum infuses a Reggio Emilia inspired approach based on principles that make children partners in the learning process. The classroom environment is shaped by each child’s unique curiosity. As a laboratory school, the Children’s Learning Center guides Mitchell College students to achieve their educational and professional goals through diverse and challenging internships. 

The Head Teacher demonstrates leadership abilities by creating and maintaining a positive learning environment for all families enrolled. The Head Teacher, along with other teaching staff, assist each other and the Director in operating the center in accordance with Mitchell College policies, procedures and state licensing standards to provide an educational environment for children, staff and families that is nurturing and safe. The person in this position works collaboratively to develop and implement weekly plans that are age-appropriate and used to stimulate all domains of child development while supporting a creative classroom environment that reflects the children’s learning and growth. In the absence of the Director, the Head Teacher will assume Director responsibilities and duties, and is responsible for all daily school operations in order to deliver exceptional customer service to families enrolled at the school.  

Responsibilities and Duties:  

• Assists in the implementation of developmentally appropriate inquiry-based curriculum; knowledge of a Reggio Emilia Approach to learning is preferable.
• Infuses creativity into all aspects of the children’s educational day;
• Performs ongoing developmental evaluations of children as required and develops lesson plans and follows curriculum implementation that addresses the individual needs of each child;
• On an on-going basis, plans, evaluates and improves the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child;
• Provides responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group;
• Prepares developmental progress reports as needed;
• Demonstrates cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans;
• Collaborates with the faculty liaison of the Education Department to place and supervise Education intern students in the preschool.
• Advocates for center needs through the college and community;
• Provides information and support to families whose children are in care including referrals to support agencies, parenting/family counseling resources and other counseling resources;
• Participates in college-wide meetings and committees, as requested;
• May be asked to conduct tours and provide interested families with information about our program;
• Understands and assists student workers and teacher’s assistants with developmentally appropriate practice in Early Childhood Education;
• Implements and supervises staff members with CLC and Mitchell College policies and procedures;
• Supervises closing staff and ensures building is secure at the end of each day; 
• Complies with, and may implement OEC regulations regarding the care of children;
• Orders and keeps inventory of school supplies;
• Informs the Director of any necessary information regarding the care and safety of children;
• Assists and accepts temporary responsibility for other daily center duties in the event other personnel are not available;
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, center events, and parent meetings as required;
• Responds immediately to unusual or crisis situations; and
• Functions effectively in an inclusive work environment.

Required Education and Experience:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Studies, or Human Development Family Studies or related field. Current teacher certification in ECE/Special Education preferred. Transcripts are required prior to offer.
• Two to three years of professional teaching experience.
• Prior supervisory experience required, this may include classroom leadership responsibilities (working in a team), supervising an assistant/paraprofessional, and/or administration experience in a child care center or preschool.
• Child CPR and First Aid certified preferred.
• Proof of a physical examination within the last six months, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by the OEC/DPH licensing.
• Knowledge of CT-ELDS and a Reggio Emilia inspired approach to curriculum.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, and parents.

Key Skills / Knowledge: 

• Standard computer skills (Word, Excel, etc)
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills

Physical Demands:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to pick up 25 pounds, have the ability to sit on the floor and rise from that position, and move with young children.  

Mitchell is committed to the broader community through building strong, creative, and cooperative partnerships. Located on a beautiful waterfront campus in historic New London, CT, it is also home to championship NCAA Division III athletics and the Duquès Academic Success Center, which includes the renowned Bentsen Learning Center. 

Mitchell College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.