Lead Teacher

Berea-College; Berea (KY); Presencial; USD 32.000 - 42.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Berea College’s Child Development Laboratory (CDL) seeks a Lead Teacher to guide inquiry-based learning with young children in a democratic setting. You will observe, document, and plan emergent curriculum based on children’s interests, partnering with families and a teaching team.

You will mentor assistants, maintain daily schedules, and ensure a safe, engaging environment while aligning with CDL policies and state regulations.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Two years related experience in childcare or an early childhood education classroom.
• Knowledge of emergent curriculum and Reggio Emilia inspired practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers and students.
• Willingness to mentor and lead a teaching team.

Responsabilidades

• Model ethical and best practices in the early childhood profession.
• Engage with children in intentional ways.
• Observe and document children’s play and development, continually assessing children, and developing emergent curriculum.
• Organize and maintain a safe, stimulating learning environment for diverse ages and abilities.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a daily schedule of activities for young children.
• Lead and supervise Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides and Labor Students.
• Maintain open, respectful communication with families and colleagues.
• Participate in mentoring, feedback, and evaluation of classroom staff and students.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop innovative practices and participate in conferences and training.

Conocimientos

Child development knowledge

Observation & documentation

Family communication

Team leadership

Crisis management

Educación

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Descripción del empleo

The Berea College Child Development Laboratory (CDL) serves as a training facility for professionals who work with young children and their families. The CDL is a democratic, early learning environment that seeks to make the learning of children visible to others. The Lead Teacher facilitates child-led, inquiry-based learning, acting as a co-learner and researcher who observes, documents, and plans emergent curriculum based on children's interests, fostering critical thinking and collaboration within a rich, stimulating environment (the "third teacher"). Key duties involve creating provocations, documenting learning through photos/stories, communicating with families, mentoring and collaborating with a teaching team (including aspiring professionals), and maintaining a safe, respectful space that honors the child's "hundred languages" of expression.

Teachers are expected to adhere to CDL policies and procedures, program philosophy, state childcare regulations, and NAEYC and KY ALLSTARS standards. Teachers will engage in research with college faculty to develop new and innovative classroom methods. Teachers are expected to participate in ongoing professional development and have the disposition of a lifelong learner and researcher. Teachers are also expected to view children as competent, capable beings and commit to revealing and supporting children’s competence.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.

• Serve as a model of ethical and best practices in the early childhood profession.
• Engage with children in intentional ways.
• Intentionally observe and write documentation about children’s play and development, continually assessing children, and developing and implementing emergent curriculum to engage children.
• Organize and maintain a safe, clutter-free, and stimulating learning environment appropriate for children of diverse ages and ability levels.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate a daily schedule of activities appropriate for young children.
• Utilize positive guidance strategies and best practices.
• Maintain a portfolio on each child that includes copies of required documents, ongoing documentation and work samples as a record of the child’s development.
• Perform housekeeping tasks as necessary for all indoor and outdoor play spaces.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the classroom. This includes providing leadership and oversight to Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides and Labor Students.
• Keep up to date records on attendance, accidents, incidents, etc., in accordance with licensing regulations and program policies.
• Practice open, respectful communication with families, co-workers, and supervisors at all times.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with children, families, all classroom support staff, college students, and CDL administration.
• Inform and engage families in curriculum and decision-making regarding children.
• Participate in IFSP/IEP team meetings.
• Meet regularly with classroom team to develop weekly classroom plans and appropriate curriculum and to confer about classroom issues and concerns.
• Participate in mentoring, constructive feedback, and evaluation to classroom support staff and college students.
• Supervise and assist college students in completing assignments and requirements for coursework, including reading and providing feedback on documentation and planning.
• Attend and present at various conferences, trainings and workshops to continue professional development.
• Assist faculty in evaluating college student performance for coursework.
• Work collaboratively with faculty to develop new and innovative practices
• Work on publications with faculty
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and required college training and orientation meetings.

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field Required

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Two years related experience (paid and/or supervised in childcare or an early childhood education classroom)

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of child development and early childhood emergent curriculum and methods
• Knowledge of state childcare regulations
• Ability and willingness to learn and implement Reggio Emilia inspired practices
• Ability to organize and maintain a safe and stimulating learning environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers and students
• Ability to work alone and to lead a teaching team
• Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm during a crisis

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Ability to meet state licensing requirements
• Complete orientation I & II training and a minimum of 15 hours Professional Development annually
• Clear criminal background check
• Clear child abuse and neglect check
• Clear TB skin test
• Clear Drug Screen
• Obtain Adult/Infant/Child CPR & First Aid
• Obtain Food Handler Certification

Physical requirements:

• Ability to lift 35 pounds and move swiftly
• Ability to be aware of all children in your care at all times

Environmental conditions:

• Work in well-lighted, temperature-controlled building with reasonable space and equipment
• Work with children outdoors in various weather conditions

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Personal Vehicle
• Laptop Computer
• Printer