Early Childhood Lead Teacher

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Lead Teacher               

EMPLOYMENT TERM: 10-Month

SUPERVISOR: Director of Educational Services 

CLASSIFICATION: Classified 

JOB SUMMARY

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, weekly plans, and implements age appropriate curriculum (lesson plan) to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development in their care. 
• Provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children’s learning and growth. 
• Perform on-going developmental evaluations of children as required by funding sources and develop lesson plans and follow curriculum implementation that addresses the individual needs of each child. 
• On an on-going basis, plan, evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child. 
• Provide 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. 
• Prepare developmental progress reports as needed.
• Demonstrate 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. 
• Exchange information and serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary intervention/prevention team.
• Completes child transition and orientation of the classroom with parents.
• Maintain ongoing, open communication with parents/ caregivers.
• Provide a classroom environment that encourages parent participation.
• Ensure that each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experience clear communication with teaching staff. 
• Plan periodical parent conferences to discuss children's developmental progress, needs and interests.
• Liaison with children's families to ensure smooth transition from home to child care setting and transitions from classroom to classroom when needed. 
• Assist families with children's transitions from toddler to preschool and from preschool to kindergarten.
• Maintain accurate, complete and timely client and agency records; Completes daily meal and attendance records. 
• Maintains up to date emergency forms, curriculum plans, individual child development profile and other records as needed. 
• Completes and reports any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or child abuse hotline.
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well being of the children.Completes DRDP and ITERS/ ECERS with Associate Teacher and prepare developmental progress reports as needed. 
• Assures a healthy, safe, clean and developmentally appropriate environment for children.
• Assist with functioning and monitoring of nutrition and food service.
• Assist with the supervision of staff and volunteers for child care setting.
• Conducts supervision on a weekly basis with Associate Teachers and Assistant Teachers.
• Ensures that the Associate Teacher and Assistant Teachers are kept updated in all matters concerning the classroom and program, i.e. Lead Teacher Meetings, lesson plans, policies & procedures, training received. 
• Completes yearly performance evaluations.
• Provides functional training and guidance to staff, interns, substitutes and volunteers assigned to the classroom. 
• Reports all staffing and classroom concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Reports family changes in schedules and excessive absences to administration in a timely manner.
• Participate in on-going in-service and educational development opportunities provided by the Agency.
• Participate in ongoing development and evaluation of center’s goals and objectives.
• In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description. 
• Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission statements.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Considered highly qualified with two-years of experience.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Certified Development Associate.
• Associates and/or Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

SKILLED IN

• Effective written and oral communication skills. 
• Ability to interact with a variety of persons in a positive and solution based attitude. 
• Effective teaching skills to lead a positive learning environment that supports student growth. 
• Ability to work with a team to develop an overall progressive and positive learning program. 
• Willingness to personally grow and learn for consistent professional development. 

CORE COMPETENTCIES 
? Accountability ? Analytical Thinking ? Integrity ? Advocacy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
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 and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. The employee must use hands, arms and fingers to input data, handle, feel or reach; employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs. such as boxes, supplies, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud and can vary in temperature. The nature of this position is fast-paced and may occasionally be thought of as stressful. Through interaction with the public and other district employees, the employee may encounter different scents.

ABOUT US
We have a great group of dedicated staff and hard-working students who work together to achieve academic success within in our district. Our campuses are located in Wittmann and Surprise, Arizona, where we value and invest in our local community.
Our Mission is to graduate all students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and ethics necessary to succeed in the colleges or careers of their choice. Our Vision is to provide a quality education for every student, every day.

NOTICES
The statements in this job description describe the essential function and requirements as assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Job descriptions are subject to change. Employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and extensive fingerprint and background check. Discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability or any individual by reason of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity gender expression, age, or national origin is prohibited. Efforts will be made in recruitment and employment to ensure equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons. NUSD is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the district office at (623) 250-7746 at least 3 days in advance.

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT US
Our rural community offers a close-knit feel.
We offer job-embedded professional development and career pathways.
We have an exciting STEM program with amazing community partners.
Our University partners offer discounted tuition.
Discounted childcare is available for all employees.