Preschool Lead Teacher - Russellville

Pediatrics Plus•Russellville, AR

About The Position

The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for managing the classroom, assessing clients, ensuring treatment plans are carried out, and supervising Classroom Teaching Assistants. The teacher manages and participates in classroom activities, implements and modifies daily lesson plans, maintains required records and billing, and ensures client safety, engagement, and appropriate supervision throughout the day. The role supports children from birth to age seven and their families, including families at risk, in a specialized pediatric healthcare and education setting. The teacher helps maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary learning environment; supports clients’ development through curriculum, play, and physical activity; and follows approved classroom-management, engagement, teaching, and behavioral-redirection techniques. The position also involves communicating with families and colleagues, attending center functions and meetings, completing required training, supporting new hires, and following company policies and applicable regulatory requirements. Other related or unrelated duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people.
Ability to work with clients from birth to age seven and families who are at risk.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy.
Computer skills, including working knowledge of databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and internet software.
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy environment.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, policies, and other company documents.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before groups of families or team members.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions.
Appropriate workplace dress and compliance with company dress-code policies.
Regular and punctual attendance and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
Frequently communicate information and ideas through sight and hearing.
Regularly move, including walking, running, jumping, and sitting; use hands and fingers to handle, lift, reach, and feel; and stand, stoop, twist, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Required vision abilities include near and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preferred.
One year of successful classroom experience working with developmentally at-risk clients, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred.
For team members working at a Farm location: comfort around standard farm animals, including touching, smelling, feeding, and engaging with animals, with minimal allergies.

Responsibilities

Manage the classroom, assess clients, ensure treatment plans are implemented, and supervise Classroom Teaching Assistants.
Manage and participate in classroom activities, including circle time, curriculum, centers, arrivals and departures, transitions, academic activities, recess, meals, and nap time.
Review client treatment plans and suggest changes to the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach as requested.
Refer clients for additional clinical services when needed, in collaboration with the Director and other appropriate leadership.
Implement and modify daily lesson plans and ensure their completion.
Keep required reports updated, complete, and submitted on time; complete classroom billing in deTASO by signing daily.
Ensure classroom supplies are stocked and maintain visual supervision and headcounts during transitions.
Promote a positive emotional climate through respectful interactions, appropriate discipline techniques, and engagement in teachable moments.
Follow classroom-management techniques under guidance from the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach or leadership.
Attend and actively participate in job-related center functions, including parent-teacher conferences, parent/team meetings, graduation ceremonies, and training days.
Represent the program positively to parents, visitors, and the public.
Maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary learning environment; keep clients clean, change clothing when necessary, and disinfect toys and materials daily.
Engage actively with clients during classroom activities and play, including on the playground, and promote gross and fine motor development during physical activity.
Report health and safety concerns immediately to the Director of Preschool Services or Nurse.
Complete 15 hours of relevant, approved in-service training per fiscal year.
Follow company policies and requirements of regulatory agencies, including EIDT, Arkansas Childcare Licensing, and the Arkansas Health Department.
Protect client and family rights and maintain confidentiality of client and team-member information; respond to information requests according to clinic policy.
Participate in one-on-one meetings with the leader and assist with training and supporting new hires assigned to the classroom.
Perform housekeeping or janitorial functions and other assigned duties as needed.