Lead Preschool Teacher - Connell

Inspire•Connell, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Preschool Teacher reports to the Center Manager and works closely with the Assistant Preschool Teacher, School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, Center Staff, ECE Specialists, Leads, Parents and Children. This position will guide and direct the Assistant Preschool Teacher. The role involves developmental appropriate curriculum planning for a preschool classroom, formulating lesson plans, and evaluating/documenting children's progress. The Lead Preschool Teacher models appropriate instructional techniques, provides input on performance evaluations of the Assistant Preschool Teacher and Floaters, and analyzes children and classroom outcome reports to implement school readiness goals. Ensuring the completion of all appropriate documentation, such as Daily Assessment forms, Meal Guides, Health Checks, Home Visits, and Parent/Teacher Conferences within set timelines is crucial. This includes daily completion of USDA Meal count and the safe release of children. The position requires providing a safe and healthy learning environment, following all state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards, including specific hygiene practices. Enhancing children's physical and intellectual competence by promoting various skills, including for children with special services, is a key responsibility. Attending Teacher Meetings to facilitate mentoring classroom staff in ECE, reinforcing positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults are also important. Active communication and involvement with parents through various activities like Home Visits, Parent Teacher Conferences, and Open House are expected. The role follows established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans, and monitors/provides technical assistance to teaching staff in coordination with other specialists. Active participation in age-appropriate interactions and classroom activities, including potential care for special needs children, is required. Administering educational screenings and identifying/referring children with potential concerns are part of the role. Maintaining confidentiality of program and client information is essential. The position also involves contributing to in-kind contributions through various means, including encouraging donations and volunteer time.

Requirements

AA Degree in ECE or an Associate’s Degree, with 30 ECE related college credits with experience in teaching infant/toddler and/or preschool children
Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices
Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment
Experience in policy and procedure processes
Experience in planning and facilitating groups
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
Experience in the classroom risk management
Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems
Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
Ability to gather and analyze data for reports
Strong customer service focus
Ability to work with culturally diverse population
Knowledge with personal computer, including Microsoft Office
Accurate data, documentation and recordkeeping skills
At least six (6) months experience in a child care setting
Candidates who do not meet the minimal education requirement would need to hold a current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate, enroll in a higher education institution towards an AA in ECE, and additionally be on an approved waiver.
Must be at least 18 years of age
Valid Washington State driver’s license
Proof of automobile insurance
Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities
Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check
Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check
Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment)
Current Food Handler card; (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment)
Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment)
Subject to initial and periodic TB screen
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment)
Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment)
Subject to random drug screen
Obtain required initial STARS/MERIT training within six (6) months of employment of position
Obtain Fifteen (15) hours continuing in-service training annually
Obtain Ten (10) hours continuing STARS/MERIT training annually
Sign an Educational Professional Development Plan (PDP) to obtain an BA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Sign a Professional Development Plan (PDP) to learn to read, write and speak English (recommended)
Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement
Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis

Nice To Haves

Previous Head Start experience
English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency
BA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE); or BA degree in a related field with thirty (30) or more ECE college credits

Responsibilities

Developmental appropriate curriculum planning for preschool classroom.
Formulates lesson plans for classroom activities and Home Learning Tasks.
Evaluates and documents progress of children in the classroom.
Models appropriate instructional techniques for Assistant Preschool Teacher, Substitutes, Floaters and Volunteers while ensuring that classroom ratios being met at all times.
Provides input on performance evaluations of Assistant Preschool Teacher and Floaters.
Analyzes children and classroom outcome reports and implements and monitors school readiness goals for the classroom.
Ensures completion of all appropriate documentation: i.e. Daily Assessment form, Meal Guide, Health Checks, Home Visits, and Parent/Teacher Conferences are completed within set timelines.
Responsible for the daily completion of USDA Meal count and the safe release of children.
Provides a safe and healthy learning environment for children.
Follows all state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards; to include hand washing, laundry, and housekeeping practices.
Enhances physical and cognitive, language, and creative skills in children, including those who require special services.
Attend Teacher Meetings as scheduled to facilitate mentoring classroom staff in ECE.
Reinforces positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
Communicates with and actively involves parents in all aspects of center activities, through Home Visits, Parent Teacher Conferences, Open House, Make-n-Take, and Brainstorming sessions.
Follows established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans.
In coordination with School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, and program support ECE Specialists, monitors and provides technical assistance to teaching staff.
Perform administrative duties as assigned.
Actively participates with age appropriate interactions and classroom activities such as free play, mealtime, floor time and class room activities.
May include bathing, diaper changing for special needs children.
Follows center procedures to receive and discharge the children.
Administer educational screenings, identify, and refer children with potential high risk of health, disability or behavioral concerns.
Maintains confidentiality of program and client related information at all times.
Responsible for contributing in any procedure or activity that fosters the contribution of in-kind funds, through the request of goods, services, cash donations, and/or through encouraging professional, community members and parents to volunteer time to the program.