What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preschool Teacher position at Cortland County Community Action Program?
Job Posting OPEN
Preschool Teacher
Position: Preschool Teacher (3 open positions)
Program: Early Childhood Development
Reports to: Classroom Supervisor
Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 37.5 hours/week, 52 weeks per year
Starting Wage: $19.90 - $20.69 per hour
Incentive: Eligible for $1000 Sign-On Incentive (to be paid at 90 days and 6 months)
Job Function: Responsible for conducting an educational, social/emotional, developmentally appropriate center-based program for enrolled children by implementing the NYS Child Care Regulations and other applicable mandates. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the classroom by performing the following duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Make decisions about the education of children based on information regarding:
o Child development and how children learn
o Individual strengths, needs, and interests of each child
o The cultures of each child’s family and community
Follow and practice the following fundamental principles:
o Positive interactions and relationships with adults provides a critical foundation for successful learning
o Social-emotional competence is a significant factor in school success
o Constructive, purposeful play supports learning
o The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions
o Teacher and family partnerships promote development and learning
Administer cognitive and social emotional screenings of enrolled children according to Program guidelines. Develop ongoing individualized educational goals for each child. Integrate services with all functional areas to implement each child’s goals.- Observe, record, and file observations of children. Keep ongoing records of the child’s progress. Complete child assessments following the CAPCO Early Childhood Program planning calendar.
- Conduct classroom conferences with families throughout the year as per the CAPCO Early Childhood Program planning calendar to discuss the child’s progress and include family members in creating child development goals.
- Arrange and prepare classroom to facilitate curriculum according to Program guidelines. Plans and executes daily lesson plans. Adds activities to lesson plans to maximize classroom experiences.
- Utilize the Pyramid Model framework to enhance the social and emotional development of young children.
- Promote a literacy rich environment which encourages the development of the children’s language skills.
- Engages children in active learning experiences. Provide positive behavior guidance, reflective of classroom and individual children’s needs.
- Engage with children, showing affection, interest and respect.
- Engage in positive interactions with families daily, informing the family about child while in the classroom and asking applicable and appropriate questions about home life.
- Must provide for daily supervision of children, always keeping appropriate teacher – to – child ratio. Keep the classroom supervisor/center manager informed of any issues and/or problems that affect classroom operations.
- Acts as advocate for early childhood developmentally appropriate practices.
- Hold overall responsibility for day-to-day required paperwork as per each functional area.
- Fill out required forms for children referred to CPSE committee meeting, attending committee meetings as needed.
- Add appropriate documentation to Program database on routine basis per Program guidelines.
- Adhere to Program’s confidentiality policies and procedures.
- Complete all applicable end-of-month paperwork timely per Program guidelines.
- Actively participate in Family Engagement activities, including classroom-specific, Program-specific, and overall Agency activities.
- Work collaboratively with classroom team (i.e. Teacher Assistant & Classroom Aides), taking the lead role in mentoring new staff in the classroom.
- Must work jointly with all CAPCO Early Childhood Program staff, volunteers, interns, and providers to promote a team approach of the delivery of Early Childhood services to all enrolled children, their families and the community at large.
- Monitor and complete multiple assessments for practicum students as necessary.
- Must have the ability to adapt to last-minute staff and daily schedule adjustments.
- Must follow agency procedures for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.
- Promptly notify Early Childhood Education leadership staff (supervisor, center manager, Health Services RN and/or Coordinator) in the event of an emergency health concern while adhering to all Program guidelines and standards, including but not limited to standard set forth by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
- Must attend required trainings and all requested staff or community meetings.
- May be requested to work one-on-one with students as needed in the classroom to support the overall curriculum, behaviors, and classroom functions.
- May be re-assigned to alternate classrooms throughout the Program to provide support as needed. Assignments may be temporary or long-term dependent on Program-need.
Head Start Specific Essential Duties and Responsibities
- Be knowledgeable of and follow Head Start Performance Standards.
- Provide materials and activities in all modalities of Head Start Birth to Five Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
- Collect, track and maintain In-Kind information and data for Program reporting.
Physical Demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
Education and/or Experience
Child Care Teachers must hold a valid Child Development Associate in Preschool. Head Start Teachers must possess an Associate's degree (A. A.) in Early Childhood or Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or equivalent coursework in early childhood education. UPK Teachers must have Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and possess a NYS Birth – 2 initial or professional teaching certificate, or submit an approved plan of study leading to NYS Birth-2 teaching certificate within five years from date of hire.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
NYS Driver's License. Clearance through the NYS Maltreatment Registry. Must complete Daycare regulation trainings as required.
Other qualifications: Physical Examination, TB Testing upon hire. Fingerprinting for criminal background per the standards set forth by daycare licensing. Must be able to travel to all sites, training, visits, etc. as necessary and requested.
Interested candidates should apply below or forward a resume and letter of interest via email to hiring@capco.org or at the CAPCO Main Office, 32 N. Main St., Cortland, NY 13045.
CAPCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, and physical or mental disability. CAPCO will make reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates in adherence of the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York Human Rights Act.
Salary : $20 - $21