Head Teacher

The Salvation Army•Jersey City, NJ

About The Position

The Head Teacher supports the Childcare Director in creating a caring and safe environment for children and improving the quality of care and education. The role helps staff implement a quality early childhood and school-age educational program, builds positive relationships with children and parents, observes and coaches staff, and supports family engagement initiatives under the Director’s direction. The Head Teacher ensures program activities and practices align with The Salvation Army, New Jersey Office of Licensing, Grow NJ Kids, and New Jersey School Age Care Coalition standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Healthcare, Nursing, or another field related to Child Growth & Development, or a teaching certification from the Department of Education in Elementary, Nursery School, Pre-School through Third Grade, or Teacher of the Handicapped.
At least 2 years of professional education experience; classroom teaching experience is preferred.
High energy and ability to work well with others.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Understanding of child development.
Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lift 30 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.
Infant/Child and Adult CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to attain certification within 90 days.
Must clear a full criminal background check, CARI check, and fingerprinting.
Must provide health screening, including physical and TB results, within the first 90 days.
Must understand and support The Salvation Army’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Classroom teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Ensure the development and implementation of activities for all children align with The Salvation Army, New Jersey Office of Licensing, Grow NJ Kids, and New Jersey School Age Care Coalition standards.
Collaborate with the Childcare Director to ensure daily schedules, activities, and the physical environment are developmentally appropriate and support children’s growth.
Assist the Childcare Director in maintaining current and accurate childcare center records.
Collaborate with the Childcare Director to identify, develop, or schedule staff training and workshops to meet Grow NJ Kids standards.
Assist with recruiting and orienting volunteers and teachers, providing guidance as needed.
Work with Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and volunteers to develop and use their skills in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
Coordinate children’s transitions between classrooms and eventually to kindergarten.
Plan, discuss, and evaluate staff implementation of activities and lessons for all groups of children, following State requirements, Grow NJ Kids, and NJSACC standards to promote physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development.
Assist teachers in regularly evaluating children’s development and curriculum goals.
Conduct observations and individual instructional coaching for Lead Teachers to support proper curriculum implementation and developmental assessments.
Establish and document weekly meetings with Lead Teachers covering pertinent program and child-related information.
Assist with planning and implementing family engagement programs.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences and parents’ meetings to keep parents informed of their child’s progress.
Notify the Director if a child shows signs of abuse or neglect.
Maintain positive relationships and cooperative interactions with other staff members.
Ensure staff follow center policies and procedures and notify the Director when they do not.
Complete 20 hours of annual ECEC training as required by the New Jersey DHS Manual of Requirements for Childcare Centers.
Perform other related responsibilities as requested by the immediate supervisor.