Lead Teacher 

Purpose

To establish a partnership with families to support their children’s development.

Key Responsibilities

To include but are not limited to: 

Children

  • Exercise appropriate and positive discipline as established by school policy.
  • Maintain records, notes, and ongoing observations for the classroom and administration.
  • Nurture children to develop independence through a positive environment according to the school’s philosophy.
  • Provide ongoing screening and assessment of each child’s development through screening tools and individual portfolios that coincide with Illinois Learning Standards.
  • Understand and maintain ratios at all times.
  • Keep children in sight and sound for proper supervision per age level requirements. Kindergartners may be out of sight and sound for up to 10 min. if they are in a safe environment (i.e. going to the bathroom, going to the office.)
  • Be aware and understand the children's special medical needs (i.e. asthma, allergies, chronic illness, seizures.
  • Sensitivity to children's socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and individual needs and capabilities.

Families

  • Provide sensitive support to families (understand how they feel but do not take action until there is a discussion with the coordinator or program director.)
  • Develop a trustful relationship with families through intake conferences, written communication and touch-base phone calls (program guidelines differ).
  • Plan, conduct, and document parent conferences in writing.
  • Accept responsibility for assisting and participating in the termination of a family from the school.
  • Maintain communication with family counselors and the administration regarding these situations.
  • Help plan and attend parent meetings and family activities as required.

Staff

  • Self-monitoring of the classroom.  It is the responsibility of every staff member to be aware of the classroom atmosphere and what is best for the children.  Any inappropriate behavior towards a child should be reported immediately to a supervisor.
  • Participate as a supportive team member at every level.
  • Attend and take an active role in staff meetings.
  • Accept additional responsibilities as delegated by the Age Level Coordinator, Human Resource Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant, and Director.
  • Perform ongoing training, supervision, and evaluation of all staff (classroom, floaters, and substitutes) with consistent written or verbal feedback.
  • Develop a cooperative, individualized training plan, including goals, with each classroom staff member.
  • Conduct weekly meetings with classroom staff and circulate notes to Age Level Coordinators.
  • Develop a classroom "team" that is positive and supportive of the entire school program, understanding that there are always compromises.
  • Delegate responsibilities to other staff to maintain the classroom.  This will be individualized according to staff capabilities.
  • Model appropriate interaction with children, parents, and staff.
  • Accept responsibility for assisting and participating in the hiring and termination of an employee.
  • Communicate concerns or potential problems about parents or children in writing to administration.
  • Understand that changes in classroom staff may be necessary to benefit the school or an individual, while they may be disruptive to a classroom.

Program

  • Prepare the weekly lesson plans for themes and projects and provide the materials necessary to implement these plans.
  • Use documentation to reveal children’s learning and for reflection to plan curriculum and assess children’s development and interests.
  • Keep hallway documentation current reflecting the children in the classroom and their activities. (Documentation panels should be updated a minimum of every other month)
  • Ensure that the program goals and philosophy are implemented.
  • Maintain a room arrangement that is safe, inviting, interesting, and stimulating.
  • Maintain a classroom schedule that meets the group and individualized needs of the classroom.
  • Continue professional enrichment by attending conferences, meetings, and seminars.
  • Assist in school and classroom maintenance.
  • Develop, maintain, and modify a daily schedule according to the group’s needs.
  • Write newsletters, including developmental topics,that are responsive to the parents’ needs.
  • Meet IDCFS standards in the classroom.
  • Meet NAEYC accreditation criteria in the classroom.
  • Fill out weekly coordinator communication forms in detail and route to Age Level Coordinator

Mandatory Professional Involvement

  • Read all routed professional development magazines and articles.
  • Attend the all school staff training day (currently scheduled in June).
  • Attend meetings, training and conferences for further professional development.
  • Present a training session at a Full Time Classroom Assistant (FTCA) meeting at least once a year.
  • Attend all family activities: E.g.,Art & Sensory Festival, Fall Festival, and Intergenerational Picnic.(On these days your classroom hours will be 7-3. Staff may choose to take a short break and be back before 3 p.m. to set up for the festival.

Reporting Relationships

  • Report to Age Level Coordinator.
  • In absence of Coordinator, report to Director or the Director’s designated substitute.

Limits of Authority

  • May take action without informing supervisor to discipline a child and discuss a child's play activities with a parent (NOT behavioral problems).
  • May take action but must inform supervisor in writing: when calling parents about a sick child or discussing a child's behavior problems.
  • Behavioral problems should be handled according to school policy and on an individual child basis.
  • Must have prior commitment from supervisor to:  remove a staff person, change work time, take time off, remove a child from the classroom, playground, or mini gym.

Qualifications

Illinois Licensing

  • 18 years of age.
  • 2 years college and 6 semester hours of early childhood courses.
  • Minimum CDA or equivalent.
  • Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education/ Child Development or related fieldpreferred.
  • A warm and friendly personality.
  • Sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.
  • Able to relate well to children and adults.
  • Willing to fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the school’s educational philosophy and program. 

Requirements

  • Evidence of emotional maturity and stability.
  • Decision making skills and judgment to handle crisis situations.
  • Physical stamina to maintain the rigorous pace of a full-day child care program (including inside and outside activities on a daily basis, year round).
  • A sincere commitment to maintain the highest quality program possible.
  • Ability to take directions and work in a team setting.
  • Ability to lift and carry a 40 pound child to safety.
  • A physical every 2 years with a T.B. clearance.
  • Experience in the all-school floater position at GBNCCLC.
  • Experience in an assistant teacher position at GBNCCLC.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Obtain 15 hours of professional training every school year
  • Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification  

Time Commitment

  • 40 hours a week or as needed.
  • Exempt Status.