Lead Teacher - Preschool $1,000 HIRING BONUS

SUMMARY:

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community.  The EHS program (ages 6 weeks to 3 years) and the preschool program (ages 3 years to 5 years) promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families.

The Lead Teacher in the preschool classrooms is responsible for the planning, implementation, and coordination of a comprehensive education program. The Lead Teacher ensures the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets children's individual needs as well as program standards of Educare of Lincoln, Head Start/Early Head Start, Sixpence, and the Nebraska Department of Education.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

Child Development

• Observe, assess and document each child's skills, behavior, growth, and development using Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Coordinate referrals for children with developmental concerns with the Coaching, Training, and Disabilities Coordinator.
• Contribute to and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Support the child and family as the child transitions from the infant and toddler program to the preschool program and from the preschool program to kindergarten.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom.

Classroom Management

• Develop and maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Supports.

Curriculum

• Utilize Creative Curriculum to plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities.
• Participate in interpreting and analyzing assessment results and utilize data to plan individual and classroom experiences as well as intentionally share information with families.

Parent Involvement

• Schedule a minimum of two home visits per year with each child's family.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities.
• Communicate with parents (informal conversations, newsletters, personal notes) regarding his/her child's involvement in classroom activities and progress towards learning goals.

Administration

• Participate in regular reflective supervision with the Program Manager.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Participate in a coaching process to promote high-quality instructions.
• Provide leadership for the classroom team.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding each child and family.
• Maintain daily attendance and CACFP food counts.
• Ensure the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.

Other

QUALIFICATIONS:

The NDE waiver requires one of the following:

1. Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education; or
2. Bachelor’s degree or higher that includes at least 12 undergraduate credit hours in Early Childhood Education ; or
3. 12 graduate credit hours or more in Early Childhood Education.

*Employees hired under the NDE waiver are required to complete their Nebraska Teaching Certificate with an Early Childhood Endorsement within four years of hire.  They will be designated as “Acting” Lead Teacher until that time.

• Endorsement in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Preschool Disabilities, or Early Childhood Education Unified per NDE Rule 11 required within four years of hire.
• Two years of early childhood experience in a group setting preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, and Pyramid practices.
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Willingness to participate in Educare's commitment to continuously review, analyze, and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern, and openness to change.
• Ability to take or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one's own culture, beliefs, and values.
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, all while inside or outside the facility.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.