Job Title: Preschool Co-Lead Teacher (threes and fours)

Reports to: ECE Director and ECE Assistant Director

Location: Atlanta, GA

Salary: $37,000 - $42,500 ($17.79 - $20.43/hour)

Benefits: Paid holidays, PTO, 403(b) plan options, 100% Employer paid healthcare

Who We Are:

The Atlanta Children’s Shelter (ACS) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for families facing homelessness by building pathways to long-term self-sufficiency. Since 1986, ACS has provided quality early childhood education and family services, free of charge, to address the needs of the entire family.

About the Role:

Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education Director and Assistant Director, the Co-Lead Teachers work collaboratively and are responsible for the delivery of a high-quality educational experience for the children and families under his/her care, including meeting the educational, safety, hygiene, nutrition, and nurturing needs of the children and utilizing the appropriate treatment and discipline procedures. The Co-Lead Teachers will also maintain compliance with all Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning / Bright from the Start, Quality Rated, and NAEYC rules and regulations.

Application Process and Additional Information

Atlanta Children’s Shelter provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, service in the military, veteran status, and any other classifications protected by law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and any other term or condition of employment. Violations of this policy will not be tolerated. We strongly value a diverse workforce and inclusive culture for all employees.



Candidates must include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

What You’ll Do:

Prepare and implement the curriculum: Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum

· Utilize the curriculum goals and objectives to develop and implement lesson plans to support the early learning standards, including a wide variety of educational experiences in language/literacy, math, cognitive development, social and emotional learning, and physical development per the Georgia Early Learning Development Standards (GELDS).

· Arrange the learning environment to support learning content areas per the Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS) criteria.

· Utilize weekly collaborative planning time to develop lesson plans and other tasks to support the overall program goals.

· Work with the Curriculum Coordinator to ensure adequate materials, supplies, and equipment are available in classrooms.

Provide meaningful instruction and age-appropriate experiences for children

· Plan and implement activities that promote the acquisition of number concepts, language and literacy development.

· Create activities that relate to the weekly theme and extend the knowledge and interest of each student and their families.

· Plan and prepare activities ahead of time.

· Implement family-style meal experiences, sitting down and eating meals with the children and engaging them in conversation.

· Facilitate and encourage children to be independent in age-appropriate decision-making and self-care routines (i.e., dressing and toileting).

· Display an understanding of state licensing regulations, NAEYC standards, and Quality Rated expectations.

Prepare and execute assessments for children

· Assess and maintain records of children’s needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis using provided assessment tools (Brigance Screenings and Teaching Strategies Gold Checkpoints).

· Ensure that all children’s assessments are completed according to Atlanta Children’s Shelter timeline for evaluation.

· Use the results of the assessments to plan activities for children based on their developmental levels/needs.

· Provide updates regarding each student’s development and learning during parent/teacher conferences at least two times per year.

· Provide feedback as requested by ECE Director, ECE Assistant Director, and Curriculum Coordinator.

Maintain positive communication and contribute positively to work culture.

· Develop individual relationships with children by providing care that is responsive, attentive, consistent, comforting, supportive, and culturally sensitive.

· Create a nurturing environment that discourages challenging or disruptive behaviors through classroom strategies/designs, effective transitions, and active engagement.

· Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with parents.

· Collaborate with ACS partners to deliver services to students including but not limited to speech and language, occupational therapy, play therapy, music therapy, P.E., and dance.

· Provide and promote verbal/written communication to parents daily regarding each child’s activities using the Tadpoles app.

· Work cooperatively in a flexible, teamwork approach with other staff, volunteers, and families.

· Maintain a commitment to professionalism.

Additional duties and responsibilities

· Provide adequate supervision as defined by Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Bright from the Start, Quality Rated, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

· Work collaboratively and in conjunction with the co-lead teacher in a positive learning environment to fulfill all duties and responsibilities, ensuring high standards of planning, instruction, assessment, and engagement and that the needs of all children are met.

· Share with other ECE staff the classroom/center housekeeping and rotational responsibilities.

· Attend scheduled/required meetings and professional learning sessions, including but not limited to earning 18 hours of approved training annually (not including CPR and First Aid training).

· Perform other duties as assigned by ECE Director and ECE Assistant Director.

· Maintain regular, punctual consistent attendance.

What You’ll Need:

Education

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with parents and volunteers

· Computer proficiency (MS Office – Word and Outlook)

· Must possess a CDA, AA, or TCC degree in Early Childhood Education or higher credential (BA or BS or MA or MS in Early Childhood Education or closely related field; degrees or certifications in non-ECE fields must be accompanied by a current CDA or TCC)

Experience

· Have at least 2 years of experience working with children younger than six years old in a state-licensed childcare facility

· Familiarity with the Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning Bright from the Start Rules & Regulations

· Experience with NAEYC and Quality Rated evaluation/accreditation preferred

There may be some Physical Demands:

This position works in a typical childcare setting. There may be extended periods of sitting, standing and/or bending; listening, talking and/or visual concentration; writing and/or computer use. This position would normally have routine opportunities to alter physical position or change eye focus. Lifting should not normally exceed 50 pounds.

Location: Early learning center physically located at 607 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Occasional in-region travel to meetings and events.

Schedule: 40 hours standard weekly, typically Monday - Friday. Occasional evenings or weekend hours may be required.

This role may be a fit for you if:

· You are a self-starter with strong organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills.

· You are passionate about working with young children facing homelessness.

· You can work independently and carry out assignments to completion within the parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.

· You have an authentic desire to connect with and expand our team and our stakeholders, including community partners, donors, and volunteers.

Paid holidays, PTO, 403(b) plan options, 100% Employer paid healthcare