Lead Teacher

Easterseals Iowa Careers; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals Iowa is seeking a Lead Teacher to oversee daily classroom operations, plan and guide assistant staff, track student development, and maintain a safe, nurturing environment while building strong relationships with families.

This full-time role requires a two-year degree (bachelor’s preferred) in early childhood or related field; experience with children and with disabilities; and ability to lead a team and coordinate activities, training, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred in related field.
• Experience with children, including those with disabilities.
• Ability to guide assistant teachers and staff.
• CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and supervise curriculum for young children.
• Work with families and providers to support program goals.
• Plan classroom activities and field trips aligned with Center policies.
• Use instruction methods to motivate each child toward learning objectives.
• Maintain lesson plans and daily progress notes.
• Provide guidance to day-to-day activities and training for assistants.
• Coordinate housekeeping duties and documentation in Life Cubby.
• Be a positive role model and uphold Easterseals values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

Two-year degree; bachelor's preferred

Job description

Description

Easterseals Iowa is currently looking for a Lead Teacher to oversee the daily operations of the classroom by planning and guiding assistant staff, tracking individual student development, and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment while building strong relationships with families.

CURRENT SIGN ON BONUS OF $750.00 AFTER SUCCESSFUL 90-DAY ORIENTATION!

Principle Accountabilities Include:

• Plan, implement, evaluate and supervise a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for young children.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary framework with teachers, family and other providers and the children to ensure effective program implementation.
• Plan classroom program activities (i.e. field trips, guest speakers) in accordance with the philosophies and policies of the Center and best practices.
• Plan for and use instructional methods that motivate and enable each child to achieve learning objectives.
• Establish and maintain the environment required to motivate and enable each child to achieve learning objectives.
• Maintain weekly lesson plans and daily progress notes.
• Provide guidance in day-to-day activities and input regarding performance improvement and development for Assistant Teachers.
• Assist in planning team member training, parent meetings/training and workshops as requested.
• Coordinate general classroom housekeeping duties, including: preparing snacks, feeding children, toileting, and general clean up.
• Complete and maintain all other required documentation and records (i.e. Entering daily information in the Life Cubby app, incident reports, check-in/check-out materials, etc.).
• Provide a positive role model to staff and present a positive image to children and parents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Easterseals Values Accountabilities:

People-Focus: Create relationships with the child and family. Learn family’s desire for their child’s experience and assist them to achieve. See the strengths of each child and provided them with the opportunity to grow.

Excellence: Anticipate family’s needs, respond to parent/guardian questions with urgency; provide an environment where children thrive by using best practices and creativity in curriculum development and implementation.

Shared Purpose: Work together with other teachers and children in the center for the benefit of all people in our building.

Integrity: Honor commitments including reporting to work as schedule; represent your skills accurately and always be solution focused.

Philanthropy: Participate in agency events, invite parents to attend special events.

Stewardship: Take care of equipment and supplies. Share stories of success and thank parents for choosing Easterseals as their provider.

Independence: Create an environment where children are excited to learn and feel safe trying new things.

Respect: Develop relationships with each child and treat each and every child individually.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements:

• Two-year degree required, prefer four year degree in early childhood. Bachelor’s degree in family services, education, child development or other related field or equivalent relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience working with children.
• Two years previous experience working with persons who have disabilities or other special needs preferred.
• Ability to guide and work collaboratively with assistant teacher’s room assistant(s).
• Certification in CPR (Adult, Child and Infant), First Aid, or ability to receive certification during first 90 days.
• Ability to successfully complete Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse within first 30 days.
• Ability to effectively solve problems and handle emergencies.
• Ability to relate to a diverse group of children and their families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, maintain accuracy and meet deadlines.
• Ability to move independently around a camp environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (i.e. some mornings, some afternoons, etc.).
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds up to 20 times per day.
• Access to reliable transportation for regular participation at work.

This position is for: Full-time, Monday-Friday opening working with the 4/5 year olds

Interview process consists of a phone interview and 2nd interview with the Child Development Team Leader.