Summary
The Teacher is responsible for developing a cohesive teaching team, coordinating the curriculum, and managing the day-to-day operational activities of the classroom. Teachers must understand children's cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in order to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed. The Teacher must be skilled in communicating with both children and adults in order to meet the needs of the children, effectively guide teacher assistants, and resolve parental concerns.
Duties

• Coordinate and implement Creative Curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.
• Actively use methods from Conscious Discipline.
• Ensure standards of Quality Counts are met.
• Use the ASQ for developmental insight.
• Lead by example.
• 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, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
• 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.
• Supervise teacher assistants and classroom volunteers to ensure they are following planned activities, hygiene and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Requirements

• A 4 year degree in Early Care and Education is preferred,
• Or a 4 year degree in Teacher Education in any field , with at least 6 documented hours in early childhood education and/or child development,
• Or 4 year degree in a related field with at least 6 documented credit hours in early care and education and/or child development, and evidence of a continuing early care and education degree,
• Or a 2 year degree in early child care or related field, and be enrolled in and demonstrating progress toward the completion of a teacher education program within 4 years.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in early child care and education.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
• High energy and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development.
• Current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Must clear full background check and must pass health screening.
• Requirements include the ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels. May also be required to kneel, bend, squat or crawl.
• A specific vision ability will be required including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in early childhood education
• Additional college credit hours in early childhood education

Benefits

• Quality trainings offered by Spartanburg Quality Counts free of charge.
• Professional development opportunities from First Steps free of charge.
• Dental, Vision, Health insurance available through brokerage.