Preschool Lead Teacher - Conway

Pediatrics Plus•Conway, AR

About The Position

The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for managing the classroom, assessing clients, ensuring treatment plans are implemented, and supervising Classroom Teaching Assistants. The role includes managing and participating in classroom activities such as circle time, curriculum and center time, arrivals and departures, transitions, academic activities, recess, meals, nap time, and other activities determined by leadership. The teacher implements and modifies daily lesson plans, ensures their completion, and keeps required reports and classroom billing up to date. The teacher maintains visual supervision and completes headcounts during transitions, supports a positive emotional climate, and follows classroom management and behavioral engagement techniques approved by Pediatrics Plus. The role involves active participation with clients throughout scheduled activities, including moving around the classroom, sitting on the floor, and playing indoors and on the playground. Teaching takes place through curriculum and playful experiences, with the teacher ensuring Teaching Assistants support these activities. The position includes coordinating with leadership and clinical staff about treatment plans and referrals for additional services, communicating with families and team members, attending center functions and one-on-one meetings, and helping train and support new hires. The teacher maintains a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary environment, reports health and safety concerns, protects confidential information, follows company and regulatory requirements, and completes 15 hours of relevant approved in-service training per fiscal year. 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 with 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 documents such as safety rules, policies, and other company documents.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of families or company team members.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammatic instructions.
Dress appropriately for work and comply with company dress-code policies.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Complete tasks in a timely manner.
Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas through sight and hearing.
Ability to walk, run, jump, sit, stand, stoop, twist, bend, kneel, crouch, and crawl, and to use hands and fingers to handle, lift, reach, and feel.
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.
One year of successful classroom experience working with developmentally at-risk clients, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
If working at a Farm location, comfort around standard farm animals, including minimal allergies to touching, smelling, feeding, and engaging with animals.

Responsibilities

Manage the classroom, assess clients, ensure treatment plans are carried out, and supervise Classroom Teaching Assistants.
Manage and participate in classroom activities, including circle time, curriculum and center time, arrivals, departures, transitions, academic activities, recess, meals, and nap time.
Review client treatment plans and make suggestions for changes to the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach as requested.
Ensure client treatment plans are implemented to maximize treatment, and refer clients for additional clinical services as needed in collaboration with the Director and appropriate leadership.
Implement and modify daily lesson plans and ensure their completion.
Ensure required reports are updated, completed, and submitted on time.
Complete classroom billing in deTASO by signing daily.
Ensure classroom supplies are stocked daily.
Maintain visual supervision of clients and complete headcounts during each transition.
Promote a positive emotional climate through respectful interactions, harmonious relationships, and appropriate approved discipline techniques.
Follow Pediatrics Plus classroom management techniques under the guidance of the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach or leadership.
Maintain an environment conducive to preventative discipline through engagement and teachable moments throughout the day.
Communicate in a pleasant, caring, and professional manner with clients, parents, and team members.
Attend and actively participate in job-related center functions, including parent-teacher conferences, parent/team meetings, graduation ceremonies, and Training Day.
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 other materials daily.
Actively participate with clients during physical activities to promote gross and fine motor development.
Immediately report health and safety concerns to the Director of Preschool Services or Nurse.
Complete 15 hours of relevant and approved in-service training per fiscal year.
Follow company policies, procedures, guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements, including EIDT, Arkansas Childcare Licensing, and the Arkansas Health Department.
Respect the rights of clients and families, maintain confidentiality, and respond to information requests according to clinic policy.
Perform housekeeping or janitorial functions when requested.
Participate in one-on-one meetings with the leader and assist with training and supporting new classroom hires.
Engage with clients during scheduled classroom activities, including circle time, center time, theme time, and meals, through active participation indoors and on the playground.
Teach through daily curriculum activities and playful experiences, ensuring Teaching Assistants support this work.
Use Pediatrics Plus-approved techniques for engagement, teaching, and behavioral redirection.
Perform other related or non-related duties as assigned.