Early Education Program LEAD TEACHER (PRESCHOOL)

General Description

The Lead Teacher oversees the education of each of their children in the classroom, developing an environment and curriculum that supports optimal development. The Lead Teacher works with the Center Director to plan and implement all center programs and to supervise and support their classroom staff. They may assume responsibility for the center in the absence of the Center Director.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum based on child assessment data.
• Oversee ongoing child assessment, using tools provided by the agency; supports other classroom staff in the use of the tools.
• Develop/implement individual plans for children based on child assessment data.
• Develop and implement successful teaching strategies.
• Oversee the completion of all required family and progress reports
• Identify child developmental concerns, consult with Center Director, Family Support Clinicians, and others to develop/implement individual accommodation plans.
• Develop a classroom environment that supports the social/emotional development of all children.
• Organizes and maintains a stimulating and nurturing classroom environment in compliance with all licensing, accreditation, and agency standards.
• Supervise, monitor, and interact with children throughout the day, maintaining their safety.
• Develop warm nurturing relationships with all children.
• Maintain all required documentation of classroom activities and children’s progress in compliance with licensing, accreditation, and agency standards.
• Maintain open and supportive communication with families.
• Refer concerns expressed by families to Director and share observations regarding parent-child interactions.
• Hold conferences with families.
• Communicate with families through daily contact, bi-weekly reports, newsletters, etc. and maintain documentation of all communication.
• Develop/complete annual Professional Development Plan. (also under supervisory)
• Develops an annual Classroom Action Plan utilizing program evaluation and child assessment data. Provides leadership in completing Action Plan goals.
• Attend staff, team, and curriculum meetings, training and supervision as required.
• Help organize and attend Center family meetings and other Center events.
• Actively participate in and facilitate Team, curriculum and other classroom meetings.
• Assist in food preparation and clean up, participate in mealtimes.
• Follow all agency policies and procedures and document as required.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• All other assigned duties.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Serves as the team leader and a role model for classroom staff.
• Plans and facilitates regular teaching team curriculum meetings.
• Provides on-going supervision of classroom staff.
• Completes with Center Director performance evaluations of teachers and teacher assistants including a professional development plan, supporting staff in reaching their goals.
• Assists Center Director orienting and supervising all volunteers and student interns.
  
  

Family Communication/Enrollment Responsibilities

• Communicates with families through daily contact/notes, bi-weekly reports and newsletters, maintaining documentation of all communication.
• Meets with parents/guardians at least every three months, regarding their child’s development.
• Provides parents/guardians with initial adjustment report and developmental reports every three months.
• Encourages parents’/guardian’s involvement in planning for their child and classroom activities.
• Develops/implements activities that link home with classroom activities.
• And any other duties as required.
  
  

Qualifications

• DEEC Lead Teacher Preschool Certified – Required
• DEEC Lead Teacher Infant/Toddler Certified – Preferred
• Two years of experience teaching preschool – Required
• BA in Early Childhood Education or a BA out of field with 36 ECE credits – Preferred
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences and MA Curriculum Frameworks. – Required
• Knowledge of and familiarity with using the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers. - Preferred
• Demonstrated ability to successfully complete all job description responsibilities.
• Warm and nurturing personality.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Demonstrated classroom management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to developmentally appropriate practice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child assessment and ability to use data to develop/implement individual plans.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise classroom team members.
• Commitment to agency’s mission of supporting low-income families and at-risk children.
• All South Shore Stars employees should be able to lift at least 40 lbs and work in a non-sedentary environment.
  
  

Reports to: Center Director

• This is a full-year, full-time position with a guaranteed 40 hours per week. 8 ½ hour workday,
  
  

with one ½ hour unpaid break. Shift could change based on program needs.

This is a physically active position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

South Shore Stars is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and agency need.

Mission

South Shore Stars provides comprehensive early education and youth development programs that enhance the optimal growth of children from economically and culturally diverse families, using a family support approach in collaboration with schools and other service providers.

Four core goals form the foundation of our work:

• Enable parents to work
• Help each child reach their full development potential
• Facilitate positive youth development
• Improve academic achievement for students at-risk of academic failure
  
  

At Stars, we are working to build an inclusive culture where difference is valued and the diverse voices of our employees are encouraged, supported, and celebrated. We believe diversity benefits and enriches the development of our staff, the children, and families we serve and the communities we serve. At Stars, we will work to find intentional ways to grow in our understanding and support of others, based on: Age ~ gender and gender identity ~ race ~socio-economic status ~ sexual orientation ~ physical or mental ability~ ethnicity~ veteran status ~education status ~religious or spiritual beliefs At Stars, we believe the power of diversity enriches us all by exposing us to a range of ways to understand and embrace the world. We commit to do the work of including diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work. We understand that our work around this is on-going, and we pledge to continually find new ways of growing into this statement.