Head Teacher

Summary

Friends Center is an early childhood education center providing year-round, full-time care for children ages 3 months to 5 years. We offer a child-centered, hands-on learning experience in a safe and nurturing environment. At the Center, children learn through creative play and a wide range of developmentally-appropriate activities. We are a non-sectarian organization whose value-based curriculum is guided and enhanced by its foundations in the Quaker principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and stewardship. As a cooperative organization, parents and teachers at the Center work together to create a diverse and supportive community. Our mission is: educate children, empower families, inspire teachers, engage community, embrace diversity.

The Head Teacher is responsible for the general supervision and management of all the children and all curricula as related to the center. The Head Teacher will implement the mission of FCfC by providing best practices in childcare using a cooperative model and the Quaker principles of simplicity, peaceful resolution of conflicts, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. The Head Teacher is responsible for the supervision of all teaching staff in their classroom.

Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Teaching:

• In coordination with other teachers; plans, supervises, and implements curriculum. The curriculum will reflect the Quaker values as outlined above, as well as best practices guidelines. The curriculum framework will be guided by children’s interests and developmental needs, resulting in daily activities that are reflective of the mission of FCfC
• Meets the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive needs of all children in the center
• Provides center materials for children that are reflective of FCfC philosophy
• Keeps classrooms organized, clean, and appealing, including changing the materials on the walls and/or bulletin boards on a bi-monthly basis based on developmental needs and interests
  
  

Modeling:

• Maintains a positive emotional attitude with the Executive Director, School Director, families and other teachers
• Mentors all teaching staff and models best practices for parent-cooperative volunteers
• Models child guidelines for teachers, assistant teachers, aides, and parents
• Works to build positive relationships among staff/parents/guardians/volunteers
  
  

Supervision:

• Communicates with families and other teachers daily and documents children’s daily progress
• Conducts weekly meetings with teachers for the purposes of, including but not limited to: curriculum planning, student observations, and communication between teachers
• Supervises teachers, assistant teachers, parents/guardians, and volunteers with the group
• Meets with weekly to discuss children, families, and teaching teams
• Provides feedback to the and School Director for formal observations of teachers in the classroom
  
  

Assessment:

• Participates in ongoing evaluation of assessment of children through, but not limited to, daily observations, collecting weekly work samples, and written assessments
• Conferences with families biannually, or as needed, and develops goals for each child with the family
• Provides ongoing evaluation as needed to assess the developmental levels of the children
• In consultation with the School Director and the Emotional Well-Being Coordinator, supports referrals for families as needed for evaluation and/or services
  
  

Professional Development:

• Attends all staff meetings.
• Maintains required continuing education hours and knows current theory and best practices.
• Participates in all required early childhood meetings, conferences, and/or events.
• Includes all continuing education certificates in the personnel file
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and/or Education.
• CPR certified or ability to complete training.
• Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Two years of Early Childhood Education experience.
• Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with a diverse population.
• Experience working in a cooperative model a plus.
• Fluency in Spanish or other second language preferred.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Vision and hearing must be within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.
• Ability to bend, sit on the floor for prolonged periods and get up again is required.
  
  

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish

Benefits

• Benefits: Health Insurance; 403B Retirement Plan, 10 days PTO in addition 30 center closings (holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s), Paid Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement for ECE coursework, Emergency Financial Hardship Support (teacher loans or grants), Emotional Wellbeing Hardship Support, Free Teacher Housing, and Tuition discount for employee children attending FCfC.