Preschool Lead Teacher

JOB SUMMARY

Position Title: Preschool Lead Teacher

Program: Preschool Lead Teacher

Classification: Full-time; Exempt

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES

Educational Services: promote cognitive development and + learning dispositions in ALL children.

• Uses the provided Creative Curriculum to structure the learning environment and daily routine

• Follows the standards of practice outlined by Thrive to 5 leadership in the standards manual and Education Binder.

• Provides environmental programming that aligns with Creative Curriculum learning centers

• Provides weekly written plans for instruction that are aligned with PA Early Learning Standards & Early Learning Outcomes Framework

• Provides individualized plans to meet the diverse needs of children

• Uses data collected on individual children to inform the development of lesson plans, selection of learning activities and units of study

• Performs required developmental screenings in appropriate time frames and shares results with families and uses results to inform lesson plans

• Uses the various tools with TSG GOLD to gather data on individual children and conduct fall, winter and spring assessments per required schedule

• Performs additional responsibilities as assigned by Education cabinet or supervisor

Health and Safety: promote healthy growth & habits in children and provide a safe environment.

• Follows all safety and health procedures and expectations as outlined by regulatory standards (DHS, STARS, EHS, or Head Start Performance standards).

• Provides adequate supervision of children at all times as defined in Thrive to Five policies and procedures.

• Provides daily planned grossed motor activities per day based on Thrive to Five policy

• Follow all meal service standards as outlined by CACFP.

• Follows all guidance to prevent the spread of illness as defined by Thrive to Five’s policies and procedures such as but not limited to: daily health checks, use of gloves and masks, etc.

• Uses meals & snacks times to teach about health, sanitation and proper nutrition

• Assists with ensuring all children receive the required dental, vision, hearing, and BMI screenings under the guidance of the lead teacher and the Health and Safety manager.

• Teaches children proper safety skills such as but not limited to: tooth brushing, hand washing, walking to/from spaces, using tissues, etc.

• Follows all procedures when assisting children with the toilet or changing a diaper.

• Follows all procedures when supervising and assisting children with rest time. IE, following safe sleep procedures for infants. Supervising rest time appropriately with older children.

Social Emotional: promotes healthy social and emotional growth in children.

• Implements PBIS universal practices established by Thrive to Five.

• Teaches and models social-emotional skills and practices.

• Implements interventions, such as, Teacher Support Plans and Safety Plans with support from intra/inter agency teams (Program Coordinators, Early Childhood Behavior Specialists (ECBS) or Mental Health Consultants).

• Maintains current knowledge about challenging behavior and mental health concerns.

• Implements behavior support plans as needed.

Family Engagement: promotes and facilitates respectful, mutually supportive relationships with families.

• Assists in providing a welcoming culturally inclusive environment for families. Models enthusiasm and promotes parent/child activities.

• Maintains parent/staff rapport and mutual confidence and trust with classroom team.

• Facilitates parent engagement events

Professionalism: promotes and maintains professional relationships.

• Follows all Community Action Partnership (CAP) and Thrive to Five policies, procedures and systems.

• Demonstrates the CAP Values.

• Works with Early Learning Coordinator ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and quality standards.

• Works with Early Learning Coordinator to reflect on coaching feedback and set professional development goals.

• Work with all staff to develop strategies to resolve interpersonal problems that affect program operation.

• Participates in program trainings, workshops and meetings related to professional development and job requirements.

• Foster supportive, collegial relationships with fellow co-workers, community partners, interns and volunteers such as but limited to coaching your teaching assistants, partnering with school district and community partners, hosting pre-service teachers and other interns.

• Supports their peers to understand program routines and expectations. Support and peer to peer coaching occurs to support collaboration and growth across the program

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Administrative:

• Preparation, updating and closure of classroom

• Lesson planning

• Attendance and all mandatory trainings and such optional training as necessary to maintain optimal performance

• Maintenance of all required certifications and licenses

• Active participation in committee work as needed

• Timely review and response to external and external communications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications: Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor’s degree in related field with a minimum of 18 credits of coursework in Early Childhood Education

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with PA Teaching Certificate

Other Qualifications:

• Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English; effective communication skills, both orally and written

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as performance standards, information memoranda and program guidance: ability to write reports and correspondence; ability to speak effectively in meetings with families, staff and community partners

• Ability to use data base software to enter child assessment and program data and Microsoft Office programs

• Positive recommendation from previous employer/supervisor regarding work performance and relevant knowledge and skills

• PA Act 33 and 34 certifiable, FBI clearances, NSOR clearances

• Current driver’s license and vehicle available to travel to Head Start sites and professional development

• Ability to work flexible hours and attend night and out-of-town meetings as necessary

• Respect and sensitivity toward cultural differences

• Demonstrated success in working as a team member

The physical demands described here are a representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions of the job.

• Ability to lift 25lbs and move 50lbs with the assistance of a wheeled cart.

• Reasonable close and distant visual acuity to conduct classroom observations.

• Ability to perform office functions, such as sitting and typing

**Please see attached for full job description**

WE Values our Team by uniting our employes with the mission. WE offer strong purpose with a compassion for work-life balance. Below is a glimpse of our robust benefits offered:

• Sign-on Bonus
• Benefits: Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage / 403(b) Plan / Life Insurance / EAP Program
• Generous number of PTO Days banked per year
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employer- Assisted First Time Homebuyer Program

Equal Employment Opportunity

CAP provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, veterans status or genetic information.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The agency will determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.