Summer Camp Teacher

Description:
The Summer Camp Teacher is responsible for caring for and educating a group of children for our summer program. The teacher plans and implements the curriculum and, with the active participation of other teaching team members, works with parents and assesses the needs of individual children.

Accountability:
The Summer Camp Teacher reports to the Director.

Summer Camp Teacher Key Responsibilities:

Coordinate and implement educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.

• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive, and emotional growth.
• Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions and progress reports.
• Ensure all center policies and state regulations are met.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment - including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Maintain accurate records, forms, and files.
  

Maintains professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must have a minimum of at least 24 units in ECE/Child Development, including core courses and two (2) adult supervision units, and at least three (3) years of documented experience in an early childhood setting, a child development permit; must have physical, current CPR Certificate, current First Aid certificate, fingerprints, and TB skin test.

Must have a thorough knowledge of and be able to implement a developmental constructivist approach. Be professionally prepared as a teacher of young children. Must have a warm, nurturing, and friendly personality, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, and relate well with children. In addition, he/she must be willing to fulfill his/her responsibilities in accordance with the center’s educational philosophy.

Responsibilities:

To establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

• Establish and maintain an environment for children that is clean, safe, stimulating, and appropriate for each child’s developmental level.
• Be responsible for the classroom's appearance, décor, and learning environment.
• Assume an equal share of the housekeeping responsibilities of the staff.
• Design appropriate room arrangements to support the goals of the classroom.
• Promote healthy eating practices through participating in family-style meals and planning and implementing nutritional activities.
• Meet and maintain licensing requirements for ratio.

To advance physical and intellectual competence.

• Interacts with children in accordance with developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to manage the classroom through positive redirection, problem-solving, setting appropriate limits, and active learning.

To advance motor and intellectual competence.

• Supporting emerging literacy and language development in response to each individual child’s interest through whole language experience.
• Implement a curriculum that fosters the construction of mathematical knowledge through hands-on activities.
• Design and implement activities that foster the development of physical knowledge.
• Provide an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children.
• Use indoor and outdoor play equipment and materials to promote children’s fine and gross motor development.

To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.

• Gear the program to the individual child's needs and pace of learning.
• Consider the individual child in relation to his/her culture and socioeconomic background.
• Treat each child, co-worker, and parent with dignity and respect.
• Help each child become aware of his/her role as an integral group member.
• Plan and implement a curriculum that reflects the group’s cultural diversity.
• Provide an environment that provides the development of self-esteem.

To establish positive and productive relationships with families.

• View the parent-teacher relationship as a partnership, focusing on each child’s individual strengths and abilities.
• Plan and implement hands-on activities that develop self-esteem.
• Use and promote positive guidance techniques and various creative and expressive activities.
• Responsible for coordinating with the Associate Teacher and Teacher Aide.
• Gather information from team members for feedback to families.
• Parent concerns should be directed and handled by the Lead Teacher.

To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs.

• Planning, supervising, and implementing the curriculum in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the program.
• Access support services and resources relating to the individual needs of the families.
• Maintain daily, weekly, and monthly written plans that reflect the individual interest and abilities of the children.
• Observations and documentation of individual progress through anecdotal notes, developmental checklists, portfolio assessments, and other designated screenings.
• All documentation must be completed within the center’s guidelines and time limits.
• Responsible for supervising the Associate Teacher, Teacher Aide, and volunteers in their classroom.
• Assist the director in evaluating classroom staff.
• Facilitate weekly staff meetings to address children's development and needed environmental adaptations.

To maintain a commitment to professionalism.

• Attending all staff meetings, parent meetings, and other mandatory or required in-service.
• Promote the center's code of ethics.
• Maintain flexibility and consistency with all staff.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding staff, families, and children constantly.
• Relate to families positively and respectfully.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a team.
• Always maintain a professional attitude and loyalty to the program.
• Address concerns regarding program issues (i.e., staffing, safety, program, operations) to the Director.
• Other duties as assigned.