Lead Teacher

First Learning•Hamburg, NY

11d•$18 - $21

About The Position

The Lead Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate programming for an assigned classroom, monitors each child’s development, and plans activities to maximize skill development. The role includes providing daily care and supervision, communicating regularly with families about children’s development, and coordinating with supervisors and co-workers to ensure effective service delivery. The Lead Teacher promotes children’s self-esteem and independence, uses appropriate language and tone, provides warmth and affection, and follows developmentally appropriate practices. The role supports daily information exchange with families, accommodates family care instructions when possible, holds twice-yearly parent-teacher conferences, maintains confidentiality, and shares classroom information with prospective families during tours. The position also provides leadership to assistant teachers and other co-workers, contributes to a cooperative team, attends staff meetings, and participates in the annual program evaluation. The Lead Teacher completes required professional development and stays current with Generations policies, Office of Children and Family Services regulations, National Accreditation guidelines, and other applicable requirements. Daily communication and written records cover children’s care and development, accidents, illnesses, and medication administration.

Requirements

A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or 12 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, with a plan to continue further education.
At least 1 year of program experience.
Thorough knowledge of early childhood developmentally appropriate practices.
Working knowledge of the regulatory environment.
Foundations in Health and Safety Certificate, or willingness to complete the training within the first week of hire.
Current CPR, First Aid, and Medical Administration Training (MAT) certifications, or willingness to complete them within the first year of employment.
Strong leadership skills and ability to communicate effectively with parents, children, staff, and supervisors.
Flexibility with varied assignments, a positive attitude, and ability to work as part of a team toward Generations’ mission and goals.
Physical and mental ability to provide children’s daily routine care, supervise children by sight and sound, and react quickly to safety concerns in an emergency.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate programming for the assigned classroom.
Monitor children’s development and plan programming to maximize skill development.
Provide competent supervision and daily care to all children in the assigned classroom.
Use appropriate language and tone with children, promote self-esteem and self-help skills, and show warmth and affection.
Promote daily information exchange with families about children’s activities and progress.
Accommodate family instructions for daily care routines when possible and follow developmentally appropriate practices.
Hold bi-annual parent-teacher conferences and be available to meet with families at other times as needed.
Maintain confidentiality when discussing matters relating to children.
Communicate classroom-specific information to prospective families during tours.
Develop and maintain a cooperative team approach and provide leadership to assistant teachers and other co-workers.
Participate in regular staff meetings and the yearly program evaluation.
Attend required workshops and training, including the annual requirement of 30 training hours, and pursue additional professional development as appropriate.
Stay current with Generations policies, OCFS regulations, National Accreditation guidelines, and other relevant regulations, including CACFP and Health Department requirements.
Communicate daily in person with families, co-workers, and supervisors about the care and development of children.
Prepare written records concerning child development, accidents, illnesses, medication administration, and other pertinent information.