Children's Lead Teacher

Easterseals West Georgia Inc; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals West Georgia Inc is seeking a dedicated professional to implement a comprehensive therapeutic child development program for children with and without special needs. You will plan daily activities to support individual learning and living-skill development aligned with ISP/POC, collaborating with ESWG administration to ensure program quality.

Responsibilities include designing ISPs/POCs, assisting assessments, planning and evaluating progress, and delivering curriculum across art,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• CDA credential, equivalent, or higher degree required.
• 1 year of related experience required.
• Obtain successful criminal background check clearance.
• Good Interpersonal skills with children and adults required.
• Communicate well orally and in writing.
• Interpret and carry out written or oral instructions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement Individual Service Plan (ISP) / Plan of Care (POC).
• Assists in participant assessments, planning and evaluation processes; attends POC/ISP meetings.
• Implements objectives in all areas of growth and development for all children.
• Collaborates with Children’s Director, Assessment Specialist, and VP of Programs to plan and organize activities promoting development and socialization.
• Produces daily lesson plans one week in advance including activities across arts, music, literature, science, nature, mathematics, and quiet activities.
• Assists children in developing nutritional habits and provides personal care support.
• Notifies supervisor of irregularities observed in a participant’s appearance or behavior.
• Maintains documentation and participant records; tracks changes relevant to goals and objectives.
• Ensures safety of participants by supervising activities and following safety standards.
• Attends training to maintain knowledge in special education, rehabilitation, and early childhood development; completes 20 hours/year.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Follow instructions

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA credential or higher

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive therapeutic child development program for children with and without special needs. Plans, conducts daily activities to facilitate individual learning experiences to assist in the development of living skills consistent with the participant’s objectives identified in the Individual Support Plan (ISP) / Plan of Care (POC) and with the program design. Works collaboratively with ESWG’s administration and other staff to ensure all aspects of the program development and delivery are consistent with ESWG’s mission.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Design and implement Individual Service Plan (ISP) / Plan of Care (POC).
2. Assists in participant assessments, planning and evaluation processes. Attends POC/ISP meetings. Assists participant in the development and implementation of his/her support plan.

3.Implements objectives in all areas of growth and development for all children.

4.Works with the Children’s Director, Assessment Specialist, and VP of Programs and Services to promote, plan, organize, and provide activities, which enhance all areas of development for each child, and provide activities to promote socialization skills, including community outings.

5.Produces completed daily lesson plans one week in advance of scheduled activities which include curriculum appropriate educational experiences with a variety of materials in fields of art, music, literature, science, nature, mathematics, and quiet activities.

6.Assists the children to develop good nutritional habits and performs physical care for each child.

7.Advises Children’s Director and VP of Programs and Services of any irregularities or changes observed in a participant’s appearance and/or behavior.

8. Provides assistance and instruction with personal care for participants which may include feeding, grooming and toileting.

9.Supervises all activities to ensure the children’s safety at all times. Follows established safety standards.

10.Attends in-service training to maintain and increase knowledge and skills in the fields of special education, rehabilitation, early intervention, and early childhood development.Successfully completes at least 20 hours of training per year.Maintains current First Aid and CPR certifications.

11.Maintains all assigned documentation and participant records. Tracks changes relevant to goals and objectives.

12.Reports any evidence of child abuse and/or neglect immediately to Children’s Director or a member of the Administrative Team (President / CEO, VP of Programs and Services, Children’s or Adult Director, VP of Facility Management and Development and Nurse/Safety Director).

13.Attends staff meetings as required.

14.Respects and preserves the dignity, personal safety and confidentially of all persons served by or employed by ESWG.

15.Greets parents, visitors, and volunteers to ensure a welcoming and warm environment.

16.Notifies supervisor of supplies needed before depletion, maintenance required, or equipment needing repair.

17.Adheres to ESWG's policies and procedures, and appropriate licensing and accreditation standards.

18.Maintains effective and co-operative work relations with others.

19.Performs routine housekeeping duties to keep assigned room, facility, and outdoor areas clean and neat.

20.Performs other duties as assigned by the Directors.

WORKING EXPECTATIONS:

Participants are supervised at all times. Under no circumstances are participants to be left unattended.

Staff will always exercise professionalism in the presence of participants, visitors and other staff.

Staff will ensure that all activities and conversations are always geared toward what is appropriate.

In addition to the indoor program, staff will tolerate an outdoor work environment inclusive of a variety of weather conditions.

To ensure quality of services provided, staff are expected to receive a rating of 20 (meets expectation) or higher on all performance reviews.Scoring under 20 will result in the staff member being placed on a 1-3 month probation until the level of quality is improved or termination may result.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, equivalent, or higher degree required.
• 1 year of related experience required.
• Obtain successful criminal background check clearance (local and fingerprint).
• Good Interpersonal skills with children and adults required.
• Communicate well orally and in writing.
• Interpret and carry out written or oral instructions.