CDC Lead Teacher - Community Engagement

Job Summary:

The CDC Lead Teacher - Community Engagement is responsible for creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports children’s growth and development while fostering relationships with families and the community. This role combines teaching responsibilities with a focus on community cultivation, recruitment efforts, and operational support, ensuring a holistic approach to education and engagement. The position requires flexibility, initiative, and collaboration to meet the evolving needs of the program.

Key Responsibilities:

Educational Duties:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and engaging curriculum tailored to the developmental needs of each child.

• Create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, learning, and growth.

• Plan and execute age-appropriate activities and lessons designed to spark curiosity and facilitate development.

• Monitor and assess children’s progress, documenting achievements and providing regular feedback to families.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and child-friendly classroom that complies with health and safety standards.

• Establish positive relationships with children and families, fostering effective communication and collaboration.

• Collaborate with other teachers and staff members to build a cohesive and supportive educational environment.

• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills and stay current with best practices in early childhood education.

Community Engagement Duties:

• Build and maintain relationships with local agencies that serve young parents and families in the community.

• Represent the school at community events, promoting awareness of Phoenix Charter Academy and its daycare services.

• Make weekly outreach calls to engage with community members and strengthen partnerships.

• Collaborate with the school recruitment team to support enrollment efforts through community connections and activities.

Operational Support Duties:

• Assist the Operations team by covering the front desk as needed and providing support for special projects.

• Participate in initiatives aimed at improving program operations and enhancing family experiences.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned to address the dynamic needs of the program and the school community.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in child development, Early Childhood Education or equivalent experience (60 college credits with 30 hours in ECE), Lead Teacher Qualified by EEC
• Previous experience working in a childcare setting, preferably as a Lead Teacher.
• Excellent knowledge of child development theories and practices.
• Strong understanding of early childhood curriculum planning and implementation.
• Ability to create a positive and nurturing learning environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with children, families, and colleagues.
• Patience, compassion, and empathy for young children and their unique needs.
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Knowledge of state licensing regulations and ability to ensure compliance.

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.

At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups.

At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.

At Phoenix we do not just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualities of Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering belief in our students - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.
• Continuous Improvement - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement.
• Eager to Learn - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

What You’ll Bring:

• Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference.
• Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done.
• Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work independently and in a team environment

What You’ll Get

We want you to be the best you can so you’ll receive professional development, coaching, and the resources needed for you to succeed. An open, curious, and celebratory culture that embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice, and Equity working group. Competitive market comp, medical, dental, vision, mental health, and wellness plans, a 403b, and employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**