What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Teacher position at Park Place Children's Center?
Job Summary
The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of all classroom activities and daily routines within an assigned age group. This role includes classroom management, lesson planning, student engagement, and mentoring of assistant and part-time staff. The Lead Teacher ensures a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment in alignment with Park Place Children’s Center’s values and early childhood standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Build strong, positive relationships with children and families.
- Conduct annual parent-teacher conferences and additional conferences as needed.
- Supervise, assign tasks to, and mentor assistant teachers and part-time classroom staff.
- Develop and maintain a working knowledge of:
- Indiana state regulations
- Paths to Quality requirements
- Conscious Discipline approach
- Attend all required staff meetings and professional development workshops.
- Complete at least 20 hours of training annually.
- Create and implement weekly, theme-based lesson plans using the provided template.
- Set up and maintain 10 learning centers, including:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- Dramatic Play
- Art
- Sensory
- Blocks
- Fine Motor
- Music/Movement
- Teach developmentally appropriate skills across cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual domains.
- Manage the classroom using Conscious Discipline and clearly defined routines and expectations.
- Greet each child and family during arrival and maintain connection through dismissal.
- Actively engage with children during all classroom activities.
- Communicate daily and effectively with parents.
- Maintain constant awareness of child-to-staff ratios and ensure proper supervision at all times.
- Facilitate mealtimes, including food service, modeling appropriate behaviors, documentation, and cleanup.
- Assist with diapering, toileting, and hand washing as needed.
- Clean and sanitize classroom items such as tables, changing tables, and toys to maintain a healthy environment.
Qualifications & Competencies
Required Skills and Attributes:
- Genuine love of children and passion for teaching
- Creativity, assertiveness, and quick thinking
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Dependability, trustworthiness, and flexibility
- Ability to stay calm and focused in a variety of situations
- Excellent time management and teamwork skills
Education Requirements:
- Must possess or be actively working toward one of the following:
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
- Degree in Early Childhood Education
- Degree in Elementary Education
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to bend, kneel, and move easily throughout the day.
- Must be able to lift and carry 35–50 lbs.