Lead Teacher -Jr. Pre-K

Job Title: Lead Teacher– Jr. Pre-K

Program: Early Childhood Education

Classification: Full Time- Non-Exempt

Location: Upshur; Washington, DC

Reports to: Early Childhood Site Director

Salary: up to $21.50/hr. according to credentials and experience

Job Summary:

The Jr. Pre-K Lead Teacher is responsible for the development and social-emotional, academic growth of all children in the classroom; instructs the children using creative methods such as music, hands-on learning, and art; provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for the children that offers opportunities for learning and development through the implementation of a developmentally appropriate high quality program. Additionally, the Jr. Pre-K Lead teacher will be responsible to meet with the team to create age appropriate weekly lesson plans using the Creative Curriculum, conduct TS-GOLD observations, and meet the checkpoints deadlines. The position is also expected to foster a positive relationship with families in order to support children’s development.

Essential responsibilities:

Professionalism:

• Punctuality
• Follow policies from CentroNía’s Employee Handbook
• Comply with licensing and health regulations and procedures
• Check children’s well-being every day, especially for signs of neglect or abuse
• Report suspected abuse or neglect using appropriate procedures and venues
• Demonstrate respect for diversity with children, families, and staff
• Respond positively to constructive feedback and demonstrate effort for improvement
• Develop a positive team relationship with all teachers.

Learning environment:

• Design and create a dynamic classroom environment based on learning objectives and curriculum goals
• Select, create, prepare, acquire, and use developmentally appropriate equipment and materials that support children’s learning and development
• Use the environment to support children’s learning and interests by integrating attractive and engaging learning centers and experiences
• Design and create displays of children’s art and writing efforts

Teacher-child interaction:

• Build relationships with each child
• Support and stimulate children’s language development and learning intentionally
• Engage children in age-appropriate activities that support the Early Learning Standards, the curriculum goals, and the CentroNía model

Assessment:

· Observe and document progress of children – establish a plan for daily and weekly observations in different scenarios and contexts

· Reflect on observations based on Early Learning Standards and curriculum objectives

· Collect sample of children’s work to document progress

· Obtain input from parents on their child’s interests, characteristics, and development.

· Ensure that observations are completed in a timely manner and complete checkpoints for GOLD assessment system three times per year

Lesson plans:

• Develop annual, weekly, and daily lesson plans based on children’s interests and developmental level that respond to the Early Learning Standards and curriculum
• Integrate result of reflections into lesson plans by responding to children’s interests and needs
• Integrate the area of study throughout the learning centers and daily schedule
• Identify Early Learning Standards that will be addressed for the whole group, small groups, and individual children
• Arrange field trips that are connected to the content and are developmentally appropriate for children’s interests and skill levels

Family Involvement:

• Prepare monthly newsletters for parents in English and Spanish with Director approval
• Develop a relationship with the family members
• Communicate frequently with parents, either in person, written form, or by telephone
• Send home ideas of activities parents/family members can do to support the Early Learning Standards being addressed in the classroom
• Implement strategies to involve parents in the classroom (reading stories, making materials, participating in field trips, speaking to the children about their culture, celebrations, jobs, etc)
• Conduct two Parent-Teacher Conferences per year to share and discuss the children’s developmental checklist, differentiation plan, the regular observations records of the children throughout the semester, and the children’s individual portfolios

Professional Development:

• Develop a professional portfolio to document training certificates, copies of lesson plans, significant achievements, photographs from the classroom that demonstrate competence
• Identify areas for professional growth
• Attend workshops, training events, resources that support professional growth areas
• Pursue professional development by enrolling in higher education programs
• Apply new knowledge into the classroom setting to build competence

Health and Safety:

• Monitor the health, safety, physical and emotional welfare of the children at all times
• Provide active and engaged adult supervision at all times
• Be alert to changes in behavior and physical appearance throughout the day
• Support children during meal times, by encouraging them to eat, helping them with utensils and foods, promoting communication among them, and encouraging appropriate table manners.
• Provide rest periods for the children and monitor their behavior
• Maintain the environment clean, free of hazards, with the materials in order, and aesthetically pleasing
• Inform parents and administrators of accidents and incidents by filling out accident and/or incident reports when needed

Required Core Competencies:

1. Bilingual preferred
2. Demonstrate initiative, self-motivation, and continual learning.
3. Practice professional and effective interpersonal communication skills.
4. Ability to carry out all responsibilities, tasks and projects as assigned.
5. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with team.
6. Propensity for problem solving.
7. Nurturing character that enables the building of respectful, trusting and collaborative relationships with children and their families
8. Ethical and professional conduct that facilities the building of a respectful, trusting and collaborative relationship with all center staff.
9. Modeling of appropriate behavior for children parents and other staff.
10. Respect for family information and confidentiality.

Key Qualifications – Required experience and education

• 4 or more years of experience in the care and education of young children in a group care setting.
• AA Degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or child and family studies, or;
• Effective communication skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to work in an individual and in a team setting.
• Flexibility in regards to schedules, sharing of tasks and changes in routines and plans.
• Ability to contribute new ideas and diverse methods of problem-solving to team.

Expected Work hours:

A maximum of 40 hours a week.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

CentroNía participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization of employees. This position requires submission of required fingerprint background check.

EEO Statement

CentroNía provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CentroNía complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Physical Demands

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, it is necessary to specify the physical, mental and environmental conditions of the Essential Duties of the job. The following codes are used to explain the frequency of physical activity: "F" for frequently; "O" for occasionally; "N" for not at all

On the job the employee must be able to carry/lift loads of: ( F ) Light (up to 25lbs.) ( F ) Moderate (25-50lbs.) ( O ) Heavy (over 50lbs.)

On the job the employee must:

( F ) Bend ( O ) Sit ( F ) Squat and Kneel ( F ) Stand ( F ) Crawl ( F ) Walk ( O ) Climb ( F ) Push/Pull ( F ) Handle objects (Manual Dexterity) ( O ) Reach above shoulder level ( F ) Use fine finger movements.

Work Environment:

Community-based organization with a safe, stable and healthy environment. CentroNía has a very diverse staff, and Spanish/English bilingualism is essential to conduct business and serve clients.

Safety Hazards:

None