Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher

CHS Harrisburg will be the second Center to open under the Catherine Hershey Schools organization, and is expected to open in 2024. The two-story, 48,692-square-foot building, located at the northeast corner of North 6th St. and Muench St., will include a Family Success Center, an Innovation Studio, and an experiential learning garden. The Center will accommodate 150 children from birth to age 5 and is expected to employ up to 80 employees and volunteers.

To prepare for the opening of CHS Harrisburg in 2024, teachers and staff will receive pre-opening professional development, coaching, training, and team building through the CHS Development Program. This is a unique opportunity for early childhood professionals to expand their knowledge, grow their careers, and launch a child-focused state-of-the-art early learning center.

The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher at CHS is an individual passionate about education, and excited about working with children to further their educational and emotional growth. The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher enjoys being in the classroom and creating a love of learning. This individual is responsible for implementing and supporting the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child’s family culture. This individual is responsible for directing and leading in planning and implementing the daily education program for children. The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher reports to the Assistant Director and gives them information should a risk or issue arise. Minimum starting salary is $46,750. A higher salary will be offered if candidate has a bachelor's degree, certification, and years of teaching experience.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting children’s self-help skills and development
• Meeting and communicating with families during designated conference times and as necessary
• Including children and families in the development of classroom experiences, rotate materials, and prepare instructional resources/materials for classroom activities in a timely manner
• Ensuring general classroom management, organization, cleanliness, and maintenance
• Caring for safety and hygiene of children
• Maintaining confidentiality as it pertains to program, staff, and families
• Enhancing social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-specific manipulatives, activities, and language experiences for children
• Maintaining developmental profiles for children
• Remaining compliant with all state licensing requirements as they pertain to health, safety, and professional requirements
• Supervising and providing a safe, nurturing environment for children
• Ensuring all required program documentation and reports are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner
• In collaboration with the Curriculum & Instruction Coaches, developing a coaching plan to inform professional development and learning
• Acting as a role model for child development
• Preparing and implementing classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines/schedules
• Collaborating and engaging in a teaming environment with Associate Teachers and Assistant Teachers serving as the leader of the classroom team
• Maintaining daily communication with families using multiple channels of communication

Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role working with this age group (preferred)
• Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
• Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and /or willingness to learn
• Ability to physically interact with children (e.g., talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, etc.) and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds
• U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances
• Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students
• Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
• Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, and educate teams
• Experience and knowledge in Early Childhood Education program and teaching standards, including code of ethics – NAEYC standards preferred
• Excels at engaging with parents/caregivers, including initiating discussions when necessary+
• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education (Bachelor’s Degree Preferred)
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families preferred
• List C certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway (preferred)
• Familiar with inquiry-based and project approach learning, as well as PBIS strategies preferred