SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

The Teacher is responsible for ensuring the care and education of a group of children as a part of a teaching team. He/she assists with the planning and implementation of the curriculum.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintains a Safe and Healthy Environment

1. Maintain safe and orderly learning environment.
2. Promote healthy eating practices by eating with children.
3. Post necessary health and safety information.
4. Share routine duties with other staff (supervision on playground, toileting, cleanup, classroom maintenance).
5. Assist in keeping room and other areas neat and clean.
6. Interact with children in activities he/she is supervising.
7. Perform health checks on children daily.
8. Perform monthly classroom and playground safety checks and report deficiencies to Lead Teacher.
9. Perform appropriate hand washing and sanitizing procedures.

Demonstrates Physical & Cognitive Competence

1. Provide balance between child/teacher-initiated activities.
2. Use equipment/materials to promote physical development.
3. Provide balance between quiet/active learning activities.
4. Involve children in planning and implementing activities.
5. Provide an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children.
6. Plan and implement activities that promote the acquisition of number concepts.
7. Plan and implement experiences that promote language and literacy development.
8. Consider outdoors as a part of the learning environment.
9. Assess program supplies and materials needed prior to implementing activities.
10. Assist Lead Techer with written plans on a daily basis.
11. Assess children’s needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis.
12. Use the results of assessments to plan activities for children based on their developmental level.
13. Prepare activities ahead of time so materials are in order when needed and follow through with planned activities.
14. Use knowledge of children’s developmental stages to plan age appropriate activities.

Supports Social and Emotional Development and Provides Positive Guidance

1. Plan and implement hands-on activities that develop self-esteem.
2. Plan and implement hands-on activities that develop social skills.
3. Plan and implement culturally appropriate experiences.
4. Use positive guidance techniques/strategies.
5. Establish routines with smooth transition periods.
6. Encourage children to be independent in decision making and self-care (dressing, toileting, etc.).
7. Greet children upon arrival and departure.
8. Show each child affection and attention daily.
9. Encourage children to problem solve, explore and discover.
10. Help children work out problems by encouraging them to talk about their feelings (anger, sadness, fear etc.) and express them appropriately.
11. Be willing to work with children with special needs their and families.

Establishes Positive and Productive Relationships with Families

1. Greet parents and other visitors with a smile and friendly manner.
2. Take time to explain classroom activities and projects to parents.
3. Provide verbal and/or written communication to parent’s daily regarding child’s activities.
4. Relate assessment information to parents and offers support for dealing with children at different developmental stages.
5. Encourage parents to participate in the program.

Maintains a Commitment to Professionalism

1. Attend staff and parent leadership meetings.
2. Attend conference and in-service training.
3. Make observable use of knowledge gained from conferences and courses.
4. Share new ideas and skills with other staff members.
5. Promote the Center’s philosophy and educational objectives.
6. Report to the Center Director before workday begins when planning to be absent.
7. Have a good attendance record.
8. Report to classroom according to schedule.
9. Follow center rules regarding breaks, telephones, clocking in and out, etc.
10. Be competent in required job skills and knowledge.
11. Exhibit ability to learn and apply new skills.
12. Keep current on developments in the field of ECE.
13. Require minimal supervision.
14. Use resources effectively.
15. Display understanding of State Licensing Regulations.
16. Display understanding of NAEYC Standards.
17. Display knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards.
18. Display positive outlook and pleasant manner.
19. Assume leadership role in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
20. Help supervise substitutes and volunteers working in the classroom.

Teamwork

1. Display the ability to work as a team member.
2. Establish and maintain effective relationships with center staff.
3. Actively work to resolve conflict.
4. Be adaptable to change.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:

1. Be able to sit on the floor and interact with children.
2. Hear children from a distance of at least 70 feet.
3. Lift and carry at least 30 lbs unassisted and 50 lbs with assistance.
4. Visually observe children from all areas of the classroom and playground from a distance of at least 70 feet.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Associate’s degree: Early Childhood Education or closely related field preferred
• Bachelor’s degree: Early Childhood Education or closely related field preferred

OR 

• Master’s degree: Early Childhood Education or closely related field preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The Teacher may be required to lift and carry children and equipment. Teacher will at times spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. The Teacher will be expected to clean and maintain equipment and facility, and move throughout the community with children. The Teacher may come in contact with children who are ill and/or contagious, and must take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, staff and themselves. The Teacher will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment where there may be a number of activities and situations happening at once.

Performing General Physical Activities – The Teacher will be expected to perform physical activities that require considerable use of their arms and legs and moving their whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated consistent with Sheltering Arms evaluation policy.

Date Established:
Date(s) Revised:

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by leadership. Sheltering Arms reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.