Description

ABOUT US

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age child care, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are committed to being an anti-racist, multicultural organization by exposing racism and fighting the constructs that perpetuate racism and affect all cultures. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Lead Teacher provides a learning experience for the children in their care that is developmentally appropriate and engaging. The lead teacher works closely with the teaching team to create a nurturing support system to provide each child with the highest level of care and the greatest opportunity for physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth and development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Models inclusive behaviors and embraces all dimensions of diversity
• Supports service line/department in actively working toward association-level objectives, as measured by identified goals/KPIs
• Participates in the budgeting process within their service line/department and serves as a good steward of association resources
• Establish & maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for children that comply with ECERS requirements.
• Setting an emotional tone for the room that is responsive to children, parents, and teachers.
• Have a firm understanding of child development.
• Is able to assess the educational and developmental needs of each child.
• Planning and implementing a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and will enhance the growth of the children in all domains.
• Develop and implement a daily schedule for children that all teachers follow.
• Provide constant supervision of the children, and take care of their welfare, health, and safety, being fully present and engaged with the children at all times.
• Educating and supporting parents as necessary.
• The teacher will approach issues and problems professionally and self-reflectively, work cooperatively with colleagues, attend staff meetings, and engage in ongoing staff development.

ABOUT YOU

Qualifications

• BA or AA in Early Childhood Education or childhood degree in related field with 22 Early Childhood Semester Hours, including NCECC
• Minimum of 1-year experience teaching in a preschool environment
• Current CRC letter of Qualification is preferred
• Current First Aid and CPR certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A solid grasp of child development, age-appropriate learning, and early childhood education principles
• Strong communication is vital for clear interaction with both young children and parents, fostering a positive learning environment
• Creating an organized and engaging classroom, implementing effective behavior management
• Building strong partnerships with parents and collaborating effectively with colleagues
• Being culturally competent and sensitive to diverse backgrounds helps create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

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

• Must be able to routinely perform the following moderate physical activities; climb, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, walk, and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Must possess finger dexterity, be able to grasp, and perform repetitive motion.
• Must be able to talk, hear, and have visual acuity.

Qualifications