Lead Teacher Job Description

Job Overview

The position of Lead Teacher includes fostering an environment that promotes whole child development at All Aboard Child Development Center. Lead teachers will provide quality early childhood edcuation in balance with social and intellectual experiences through play and engaging activities. With appropriate guidance, children will excel in the care of Lead Teachers and Teacher Assistants.

Essential Duties and Functions: *For all duties and functions, reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Day to Day Caretaker

Create a safe and welcoming environment for children in care

Feed children healthy, approved food from a designated, parent-approved menu

Change children’s diapers at least every two hours or more often as needed. Take potty-trained children to the restroom on an as-needed basis. Apply diaper cream as needed

Use the Brightwheel app on their classroom tablet/ipad to record all meals, toileting/diapering, and naps

Use the Brightwheel app on their classroom tablet/ipad to take at least one picture of each child for parent viewing

Comfort children who are struggling with any aspect of their self-regulation ability (feeling sad, angry, hurt, etc.)

Report any injuries to the director immediately and provide care according to your ability

Assist children in falling asleep- this may mean rubbing backs, rocking, etc.

Provide individualized care for each child, but especially infants. Infants should be fed according to a schedule provided by parents and sleep according to a schedule provided by parents.

Education/Behavior Management

Lead the planning of age-appropriate lesson plans for classroom in the areas of art, sensory, science, math, and literacy

Help to create an environment that fosters learning through play by having activities available to children all day, every day. Determine what materials are needed for classroom success.

Incorporate process-based art in the classroom and have open ended art available

Always have a sensory-play option available for children (water, rice, dirt, etc.)

Use appropriate, positive behavior management techniques for children in care

Help to decorate room and create spaces/boards that represent the themes of curriculum

Refrain from negative discipline, yelling, or any type of corporal punishment. This is a zero-tolerance policy and failing to comply will result in immediate termination.

Collaborate with other teachers in the room to determine correct form of behavior management

Provide direction to teacher assistants and support staff in all areas of program development

Communicate with parents face to face, at conferences, and via Brightwheel

Training & Compliance

Follow procedures and guidelines for any regulation-based portion of the day (diapering, sunscreen, behavior management, etc.)

Maintain required training hours (on and off-site)

Seek out additional training in areas of interest/need

Maintain ratios at all times- this means you may not leave the classroom without another staff member stepping in

Refrain from using your cell phone in classrooms

RequirementsEssential qualifications:

✓ Associate’s Degree with at least 9 credit hours in early childhood education or related field OR CDA (Child Development Associate) Preferred

✓ 3+ years experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age

✓ Must pass background checks

✓ Strong written oral communication skills

✓ Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others

✓ Ability to solve problems and act quickly in a crisis Additional Competencies:

✓ Must be able to multi-task and work in a high-stress, loud environment ✓ Must have strong decision-making skills ✓ Must pay attention to detail and reflection ✓ Must have reliable transportation

✓ Must maintain a professional appearance and attitude ✓ Must be willing to be flexible and adaptable

Physical Requirements:

The demands of this job require the candidate to sit, stand, walk, bend, jump, reach, and lift equipment and children up to 50 pounds. This position often requires the candidate to be outdoors, to drive, to crawl, stoop, balance, walk up and down stairs, and run.

This job description is an overview of the tasks that are required. It is not a complete list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. At any time, management may add to, take away, or change the functions of the position.