Lead Teacher - Preschool

SUMMARY:
Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 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 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, the Nebraska Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:
Child Development

• Observe, assess and document each child's skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Bring to attention those children with special needs. Coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Mentor Teacher.
• Contribute to and participate in child and family reviews, Mental Health staffing, and/or Individualized Education Plans/Individualized Family Service Plans.
• Assist the child and family as 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 child's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Supports and Touchpoints strategies.

Curriculum

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance language and literacy development, (2) cognition and general knowledge, (3) approaches toward learning, (4) physical well-being and motor development, and (5) social and emotional development of each child
• Participate in interpreting and analyzing assessment results and utilize data to plan individual and classroom experiences as well as intentionally share information with families.
• Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and implement them intentionally.
• Intentionally integrate other areas, i.e., health/physical activity, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, transition, safety and parent involvement, into the education plan.
• Create documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

Parent Involvement

• Schedule and meet with parents regularly about their child's progress, including at least two Parent/Staff Conferences per year.
• Schedule a minimum of two home visits per year with each child's family to clarify child and family needs.
• Collaboratively plan with Family Engagement Specialist (FES) staff and facilitate monthly informational/activity meetings for parents for sharing data with families and responding to their identified interests and/or needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home and in the community.
• Communicate with parents (informal conversations, newsletters, personal notes) regarding his/her child's involvement in classroom activities and progress towards learning goals.

Supervision / Administration

• Participate in regular reflective supervision with the Mentor Teacher.
• Participate in ongoing professional development (including peer learning activities.)
• Collaboratively implement and participate in a coaching process with the Mentor Teacher to promote high quality instruction.
• Support the implementation of new strategies gained through training.
• Provide leadership for the classroom team (e.g., plan for and lead team planning sessions, monitor teammates' observation notes and appropriate goal identification, advocate for and support Best Practices in the classroom.)
• Supervise student teachers, practicum students, and volunteers as needed.
• Serve as a mentor/model to Associate Teacher and Teacher Aide.
• Delegate responsibilities to the Associate Teacher and Teacher Aide.
• 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.
• Participate in the interviewing process of Associate Teachers and Teacher Aides.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Education (preferably Early Childhood Education) with a Nebraska Teaching Certificate required, OR the ability to qualify for the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Waiver.

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 curriculum, principles, and best practices of early childhood education.
• 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 an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
• Ability to effectively communicate, 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 floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of 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.
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve.
• Maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• 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.