Location: Salisbury, NC, 28144

Department: Head Start

Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Center Director

Schedule: FT / 10 month position

Position Summary: Lead Teachers are responsible for providing a successful, safe, and supervised educational setting for children enrolled in SRCAA Head Start/Early Head Start programs. The Lead Teacher actively promotes school readiness and sets appropriate goals that address the five essential domains (social-emotional, cognitive, language/literacy, perceptual motor and physical development, and approaches to learning). This position also develops individual learning goals and provides ongoing assessment of the developmental process in order to facilitate the transition into kindergarten. This position also encourages parent/family/community engagement in all aspect of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide supervision, guidance and support to teacher, related to classroom responsibilities.
Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate, multi-cultural curriculum for children.
Works cooperatively with support staff (Center Director) in the provision of direct services and the development of goals for children with disabilities.
Performs duties in accordance with CLASS and School Readiness goals and requirements.
Participates in team planning of curriculum with teacher, using and encouraging appropriate input from parents;
Implements federal, state, and local health and safety policies and procedures; NC Day Care regulations.
Ensure the learning environment supports the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
Responsible for planning and implementing plans for individual children, small, and large groups, with input from Teacher.
Supervises children at all times by providing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment.
Develop and utilize integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of the children enrolled.
Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small/large group experiences, choice time, music/movement, large/small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and ask open-ended questions, provide quality feedback and listen respectfully.
Directs classroom activities and maintains discipline in an appropriate manner.
Encourages all children to participate fully in activities at all levels of interest and ability.
Supports the development of relationships between children and their families.
Prepare classroom materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans; create and change learning centers as needed
Support the development of relationships between children and their families
Oversees maintenance, upkeep, inventory of classroom supplies, materials and equipment
Responsible for conducting two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences annually for each child enrolled.
Responsible for working in the Extended Day Care Program as assigned by the Center Director.
Assumes the responsibilities of teachers and/or other Lead Teacher in their absence, as assigned.
Responsible for utilizing volunteers, substitutes, or other staff members in the absence of bus monitor, nutrition assistant or custodian.
Willingness and ability to assist and support center operations as deemed necessary by program management.

Daily Responsibilities:

Maintaining daily attendance record of children
Conducting morning health check
Completing anecdotal notes
Performing playground checks
Providing a stimulating learning environment with age-appropriate activities and materials based on best practices.

Weekly Responsibilities:

Meeting with Teacher to complete lesson plans
Attending center meetings

Monthly Responsibilities:

Completing Statistical reports
Contributing to and compiling center newsletter
Completing Work Sampling Portfolio

Quarterly Responsibilities:

Completing the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment online
Completing child outcomes

Parent and Community Engagement:

Conducts home visits and parent/teacher conferences as required by Head Start performance standards;
Supervises and trains parents, staff, and volunteers;
Participates in workshops, meetings, community events, etc. (e.g. partner meetings, conferences, etc.) for the purpose of receiving and/or presenting information.
Serves as an advocate for children, families, and communities.
Responsible for attending parent functions as deemed necessary and encouraging parent involvement

Compliance and Reporting:

Responsible for maintaining compliance by adhering to Agency Policy and Procedures, Administration for Children and Families, Performance Standards, North Carolina Day Care rules and regulations.
Completes and maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start performance standards.
Establish and monitor services that ensure program quality and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
Responsible for reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (*whether witnessed or made aware of) to immediate supervisor (Center Director) and/or Head Start/EHS Director within one hour of activity.
Responsible for maintaining training hours as directed by the Division of Child Development and Day Care Licensing requirements through Agency pre-service and in service, workshops, conferences, etc. (as applicable to position).
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide quality, seamless customer service.

Environmental Health and Safety:

Responsible for the operation and maintenance of a safe, clean, healthy and productive work environment.
Responsible for adhering to NC Sanitation regulation (i.e. floors cleaned, trash cans covered, bathrooms cleaned, water temperature maintained, rugs vacuumed, toys and equipment sanitized)
Responsible for ensuring that staff/child ratio is maintained and that adequate supervision takes place in the learning environment and while on the playground.
Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate procedure for mixing sanitation solution (*If applicable)
Responsible for ensuring playground safety checks are conducted daily
Demonstrate knowledge of center safety requirements (tornado, fire drills, fire extinguisher inspection, and fire inspections).
Responsible for securing and maintaining an emergency preparedness plan
Responsible to ensure the following star rated license, current sanitation certification and fire drill record are posted in a common area in the center.

Professional and Ethical Standard:

Assist in maintaining staff/child ratio at all times.
Responsible for reporting potential abuse and neglect according to the Head Start/Early Start Policies and Procedures.
Responsible for adhering to professional development plan including renewal of annual credentials (*which are required for continued employment in this position).
Must be able to periodically attend out of town conferences and training sessions.

ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance/Participation)

Support enrollment and attendance to assure full program capacity (enrollment)
Support recruitment plans to assure full enrollment in program

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Principles of early childhood development and the learning process.
Basic computer skills and experience with computer applications, (includes; Microsoft Office; Word, Excel and Power Point).
Knowledge and skill in the use of Child Plus is required within 12 months of hire.
Must obtain a First Aid and Infant/Child CPR card within 90 days of hiring and keep current.
Occasionally lifting up to 50lbls in classroom setting and in assisting children into their seats on the bus
Frequent kneeling, bending at waist and neck, and sitting on floor; frequent getting up and down from seat to assist children.
Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, recordkeeping, and staff and parent communications.
Ability to relate effectively with children, families, community members, and staff of diverse backgrounds.
Interest and ability to advocate with and on behalf of low-income, diverse families.
Work cooperatively with parents and staff.
Comprehend and make inferences from written materials.
Communicate by telephone or in person in a one-to-one or group setting.
Produce documents written in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
Must have access to a personal vehicle with insurance coverage (unless the agency provides a vehicle) and have a valid North Carolina State driver's license.

Qualifications:

Minimum: Computer literate, 2 years' experience teaching pre-school children, training in communication with infants, toddlers, parents and staff, training in safety issues, good oral, written and organization skills. All NC Pre-K Lead Teachers shall hold, or be working toward a North Carolina (NC) Birth through Kindergarten (BK) Initial or Continuing 5 year license (formerly SP II) or a Preschool Add-on license. NC Pre-K Lead Teachers working toward the required education and license shall hold a minimum of a BA/BS degree and the following requirements:

NC Initial Provisional Lateral Entry BK license, or
A NC K-6 license and a provisional Preschool Add-on license, or
Another NC or other state's license and a NC Provisional BK license, or
A BA/BS Degree in Education - Birth through Kindergarten (without licensure), child development, child and family development, early childhood education or an ECE related field to include child and family studies, human development and family studies, human growth and development, human growth and family studies and psychology and be eligible for a NC Initial Provisional Lateral Entry B-K license.

All NC Pre-K Lead Teachers employed in a nonpublic school must be enrolled with the Early Educator Support, Licensure & Professional Development (EESLPD) Unit of the Division of Child Development and Early Education. All NC Pre-K Lead Teachers with a BA/BS degree and no license shall make progress toward BK licensure by completing a minimum of six (6) documented semester hours per year and achieve the BK license within three (3) years. NC Pre-K Lead Teachers who hold a NC Initial Lateral Entry BK license or a NC Provisional BK or Preschool Add-on license must submit unofficial transcripts to the EESLPD Unit verifying completion of at least a minimum of six (6) documented semester hours per year. NC Pre-K Lead Teachers who hold a Continuing 5 year license (formerly SP II) are required to meet professional development requirements during the five-year renewal cycle per their individual professional development plan. * Transcripts required to validate degrees/classes; may require confirmation of up to 16 credit hours of coursework relating to Early Childhood Education.

This position is funded with Head Start / Early Head Start funds and is subject to the availability of those funds.

SRCAA is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected classes.

Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Inc is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled

Employment contingent upon the results of the following: background check and drug screen.