Lead Teacher (Infant/Toddler)

We are looking to hire energetic teachers that want to make a difference in a child's life. We like to think of our team as a family. If you are looking to work in a fun, fast-paced, environment, this may be the job for you!
Overview
A Lead Teacher at The Goddard School is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally a Lead Teacher is responsible to work together with an Assistant Teacher and in conjunction with the entire faculty.
General Qualifications
A Lead Teacher must meet the qualifications of his/her state and those set forth in the National Standards for hiring (see www.bls.gov), including the following:

• Ability to see and read newsprint, with or without corrective lenses
• Lead Teacher educational requirements are the same as Director educational requirements (see Director educational requirements or one of several other criteria listed below)
• Ability to speak and be understood under normal circumstances
• Ability to respond immediately to emergency situations
• Ability to use arms, hands, legs, and feet, with or without corrective devices; this includes the ability to evacuate the building during emergencies
• Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid
• Ability to handle crisis situations, especially where children are involved

Educational Qualifications
All candidates, who wish to be considered for the position of Lead Teacher must meet one or more of the following criteria, in addition to any/all requirements that may be mandated by their state and/or local licensing authorities:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development.
• Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• A current CDA or Early Childhood Teaching Credential.
• An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
• An Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or a related field1.
• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
• Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.

RN or LPN with emphasis on the young child including at least one class in Child Development or Human Growth Development (For Infant, Toddler, Get Set only).
Lead Teacher Responsibilities
A Lead Teacher’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Establish and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment

• Post and adhere to all GSI Health and Safety policies and procedures
• Promote healthy eating practices at lunch and snack times
• Perform nominal cleaning responsibilities (eg, spills) immediately
• Understand and implement The Goddard School® emergency procedure(s)
• Perform major cleaning during times when children are not present
• Design an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom
• Develop an appropriate classroom management system to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom
• Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements
• Post a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes a routine and learning opportunities
• Ensure that classroom equipment is in good repair

Advance children’s physical and intellectual competence

• Adapt program to meet the individual needs of each child
• Encourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play and blocks
• Create a multi-cultural learning environment
• Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities
• Encourage children to talk with each other and with the faculty
• Integrate GSI resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plans
• Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials
• Interact with the children to support play, exploration and learning
• Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play
• Present age- and developmentally-appropriate expectations for all children
• Create a print-rich environment in order for children to learn about books, literature and writing

Support each child’s social and emotional development and provide positive guidance

• Plan and implement activities to develop children’s self-esteem and social skills
• Encourage empathetic and respectful feelings for others, as well as the environment, through positive modeling
• Plan and implement activities to enable children’s feeling of security
• Understand and adhere to the GSI Behavior Policy
• Respect cultural and ethnic diversity

Establish positive and effective family relations

• Encourage families to become an integral part of their children’s learning experiences
• Prepare a Daily Activity Report for each child
• Communicate, in a professional manner, with families and faculty
• Maintain the classroom Parent Board
• Maintain a portfolio for each child
• Provide opportunities (e.g., conferences) in which families are made to feel a part of their children’s learning experiences

Ensure an effective program, responsive to children’s needs

• Build teamwork
• Assess supplies and materials needed to implement activities
• Manage classrooms according to GSI QA Standards
• Use assessment tools (eg, Progress Reports, Children’s Progress)
• Develop lesson plan books and posted lesson plans
• Perform child observations and document in their portfolios

Maintain professional commitment

• Promote GSI philosophy and educational objectives
• Pursue professional development/continuing education
• Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth opportunities
• Support a code of ethical conduct

FOREIGN DEGREES

• All foreign degrees MUST be converted to U.S. credits.
• All foreign courses and/or credit hours must be converted to U.S. standards.

Related Degrees Include, But May Not Be Limited To

• Special Education
• Home Economics
• Child Psychology
• Child Development
• Child Life
• Psychology or Sociology with a minor in Education
• Elementary Education

Relevant Coursework

• Methods: Age Birth to 8 years
• Child Care Administration
• Health and Safety
• Developmental Assessment of Young Children
• Child Development
• Human Growth and Development
• Nutrition
• Child Psychology
• Measurement and Evaluation
• Educational Psychology
• Student Teaching: Kindergarten; 1st Grade; 2nd Grade
• Children’s Literature