Preschool Lead Teacher

Job Title: Lead Teacher

Classification: Full-Time, Permanent, Non-Exempt

Department: Children Services

Reports to: ECDS

Designation: Non-Safety Sensitive

Job Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the development and implementation of a developmentally appropriate classroom, which provides for the maximum learning of all children. Related responsibilities of this position include: Parent conferencing, working with an inter-disciplinary team, classroom management and organization and working cooperatively with other agencies to provide comprehensive, individualized habilitation programs. It is essential that they demonstrate professionalism, a respect for confidentiality and a commitment to the agency's mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Sees to the welfare, health, and safety of each child.

2. Understands and observes all licensing requirements pertaining to the management of assigned classroom.

3. Develops and maintains a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that facilitates the learning/growth of all children.

4. Maintains a friendly, warm classroom environment with a variety of toys, play equipment and activities.

5. Develops daily lesson plan reflecting a unit theme, utilizing a variety of hands-on activities.

6. Utilizes an interdisciplinary team approach to implement each child’s program so that it is well coordinated.

7. Works cooperatively with the ECDS to develop and implement services appropriate to the individual needs of each child and family.

8. Participates in Annual Review and I.T.P. Conferences and completes documentation.

9. Maintains open communication with pertinent staff and professionals through individual and/or group staff meetings.

10. Develops and maintains cooperation/communication with parents and other family members regarding their needs and the students’ needs, goals, and progress.

11. Listens to and works cooperatively with family members to assist them as they attempt to meet their son/daughter’s needs.

12. Conducts conferences in a manner that encourages participation by all members.

13. Implements and evaluates individualized habilitation programs that reflect the needs of each student.

14. Participates in the assessment of each student in appropriate domains (as listed below) to determine current functioning level using formal and/or informal instruments.

a. Social (attention, turn taking)

b. Self-Help (feeding, toileting, dressing, hygiene)

c. Academic/Cognitive

d. Communication/Language

e. Fine Motor & Gross Motor

15. Assists in the development of functional and measurable I.T.P.’s that reflect each student’s current level of performance, chronological age and needs.

16. Supervises Teacher Assistant, Classroom Support Staff, and/or volunteers in carrying out instructional programs and plans.

17. Adheres to the agency’s confidentiality policy.

Other duties and responsibilities:

1. Provides individual, small group and/or group instruction using appropriate teaching and behavior management techniques.

2. Requests instructional materials and equipment, as needed, to provide for group and individual student needs and keeps up-to-date inventory of instructional equipment and materials.

3. Develops and maintains a classroom management system to carry out individualized goals.

4. Works cooperatively with other team members to implement therapy programs in the classroom.

5. Monitors each student’s progress daily and makes modifications or changes to facilitate learning.

6. Completes necessary progress reports that contain specific information regarding each student’s progress.

7. Maintains student files and documents in compliance with agency procedures.

8. Participates in 25 hours of staff development and training activities annually, based on an individual staff development plan to be updated annually.

9. Other duties as assigned that support the mission of Sunshine School.

This job description and the enumerated Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to provide general guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and tasks may be assigned by the incumbent’s supervisor, or the agency as deemed appropriate.

Qualifications:

1. Education: Minimum High School diploma – Required

One of the following is preferred: CDA or enrolled in a program, bachelor’s degree in special education, Elementary Education or Child Development, an Associate of Arts Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood.

2. One year of teaching experience in special education and/or early childhood education.

3. Background clearance from the Child and Adult Abuse and Maltreatment Central Registry and Arkansas State Police criminal background check.

4. Meet agency’s drug screening requirements.

5. Essential physical and mental requirements to perform the duties of this position include: Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and concentrate for long periods of time. Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers; handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must often lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Days/hours: Monday – Friday, 7:15 AM – 3:15 PM or 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, as assigned per supervisor. This position’s work requirements are based on the annual, in-center staff calendar.

This job description does not represent a contract of employment and is not meant to alter the at-will status of an employee’s employment in any way. It is subject to change at any time, without prior notice, as needed to support the agency mission.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Early Childhood Education: 1 year (Preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person