Lead Teacher

Berea College•Berea, KY

About The Position

The Lead Teacher works in Berea College’s Child Development Laboratory (CDL), a training facility for professionals who work with young children and their families. The CDL is a democratic, early learning environment that makes children’s learning visible. The Lead Teacher facilitates child-led, inquiry-based learning as a co-learner and researcher, observing and documenting children’s play and development and planning emergent curriculum based on their interests. The role supports critical thinking, collaboration, and expression in a rich, stimulating environment. The Lead Teacher manages classroom operations and provides leadership to Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Labor Students. The position includes developing and maintaining children’s portfolios, communicating and making decisions with families, mentoring and supporting college students and classroom staff, and collaborating with faculty on research and innovative classroom practices. The teacher maintains a safe, respectful learning environment and follows CDL policies and philosophy, state childcare regulations, and NAEYC and KY ALLSTARS standards. Ongoing professional development and a lifelong-learning and research disposition are expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
Two years of related experience, paid and/or supervised, in childcare or an early childhood education classroom.
Knowledge of child development, early childhood emergent curriculum, and methods.
Knowledge of state childcare regulations.
Ability and willingness to learn and implement Reggio Emilia-inspired practices.
Ability to organize and maintain a safe, stimulating learning environment.
Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers, and students.
Ability to work independently and lead a teaching team.
Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm during a crisis.
Ability to meet state licensing requirements.
Complete Orientation I and II training and a minimum of 15 hours of professional development annually.
Clear criminal background check, child abuse and neglect check, TB skin test, and drug screen.
Obtain Adult/Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification.
Obtain Food Handler Certification.
Ability to lift 35 pounds and move swiftly.
Ability to remain aware of all children in your care at all times.
Regular and predictable attendance.

Responsibilities

Model ethical and best practices in the early childhood profession and engage intentionally with children.
Observe and document children’s play and development, continually assess their learning, and develop and implement emergent curriculum.
Organize and maintain a safe, clutter-free, stimulating learning environment appropriate for children of diverse ages and ability levels.
Plan, implement, and evaluate a daily schedule of activities appropriate for young children.
Use positive guidance strategies and best practices.
Maintain a portfolio for each child, including required documents, ongoing documentation, and work samples.
Perform housekeeping tasks as necessary in indoor and outdoor play spaces.
Manage day-to-day classroom operations and provide leadership and oversight to Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Labor Students.
Maintain records of attendance, accidents, incidents, and other matters in accordance with licensing regulations and program policies.
Communicate openly and respectfully with families, co-workers, and supervisors; work collaboratively with children, families, classroom support staff, college students, and CDL administration.
Inform and engage families in curriculum and decision-making regarding children.
Participate in IFSP/IEP team meetings.
Meet regularly with the classroom team to develop weekly plans and curriculum and discuss classroom issues and concerns.
Mentor classroom support staff and college students through constructive feedback and evaluation.
Supervise and assist college students with coursework assignments and requirements, including reviewing and providing feedback on documentation and planning.
Attend and present at conferences, trainings, and workshops, and participate in ongoing professional development.
Assist faculty in evaluating college student performance for coursework.
Collaborate with faculty to develop new and innovative practices and work on publications with faculty.
Attend scheduled staff meetings and required college training and orientation meetings.
Follow CDL policies and procedures, program philosophy, state childcare regulations, and NAEYC and KY ALLSTARS standards.
Perform other assigned duties that support the College’s goals and a positive, respectful learning environment.