Lead Preschool Teacher - Toppenish

Supervisory and Other Relationships

The Lead Preschool Teacher reports to the Center Manager and works closely with the Assistant Preschool Teacher, School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, Center Staff, ECE Specialists, Leads, Parents and Children. This position will guide and direct the Assistant Preschool Teacher.

Responsibilities

• Develop developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for the preschool classroom, including Home Learning Tasks.
• Evaluate and document children’s progress in the classroom.
• Model appropriate instructional techniques for Assistant Preschool Teachers, Substitutes, Floaters, and Volunteers while ensuring classroom ratios are met at all times.
• Provide input on performance evaluations of Assistant Preschool Teachers and Floaters.
• Analyze children and classroom outcome reports and implement and monitor school readiness goals for the classroom.
• Ensure completion of all required documentation within set timelines, including Daily Assessment forms, Meal Guides, Health Checks, Home Visits, and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
• Complete daily USDA Meal counts and ensure safe release of children.
• Provide a safe and healthy learning environment for children, following all state and federal regulations regarding instruction practices, fire, health, and safety standards (e.g., hand washing, laundry, and housekeeping practices).
• Enhance physical and intellectual competence in children by promoting physical, cognitive, language, and creative skills, including for children who require special services.
• Attend Teacher Meetings as scheduled to facilitate mentoring of classroom staff in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
• Reinforce positive communication, respect, and interaction between children and adults.
• Communicate with and actively involve parents in all aspects of center activities through Home Visits, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Open House, Make-n-Take, and Brainstorming sessions.
• Follow established program curriculums, procedures, documentation, and service plans.
• In coordination with the School Readiness Liaison, Early Learning Mentor Coaches, and program support ECE Specialists, monitor and provide technical assistance to teaching staff.
• Perform administrative duties as assigned.
• Participate in age-appropriate interactions and classroom activities such as free play, mealtime, floor time, and classroom activities, which may include bathing and diaper changing for special needs children.
• Follow center procedures to receive and discharge children.
• Administer educational screenings, identify, and refer children with potential high risk of health, disability, or behavioral concerns.
• Maintain confidentiality of program and client-related information at all times.
• Contribute to procedures or activities that foster in-kind funds, including requesting goods, services, cash donations, and encouraging professional, community members, and parents to volunteer time to the program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate of Arts (AA) Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or an Associate’s Degree with 30 ECE-related college credits and experience teaching infant/toddler and/or preschool children.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices.
• Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment.
• Experience with policy and procedure processes.
• Experience planning and facilitating groups.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience with classroom risk management.
• Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems.
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to gather and analyze data for reports.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Knowledge of personal computers, including Microsoft Office.
• Accurate data, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
• Typically acquired through a combination of education, training, and experience, including at least six (6) months of experience in a child care setting.
• Candidates who do not meet the minimal education requirement must hold a current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate, enroll in a higher education institution toward an AA in ECE, and be on an approved waiver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Head Start experience.
• English/Spanish bilingual fluency.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
• BA degree in a related field with thirty (30) or more ECE college credits.

Position Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Proof of automobile insurance.
• Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities.
• Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background checks.
• Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check.
• Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance (present within forty-five (45) days of employment).
• Current Food Handler card (obtain training within thirty (30) days of employment).
• Current First Aid/CPR cards (obtain training within thirty (30) days of employment).
• Subject to initial and periodic TB screen.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) training (obtain within thirty (30) days of employment).
• Blood Borne Pathogen training (obtain within thirty (30) days of employment).
• Subject to random drug screen.
• Obtain required initial STARS/MERIT training within six (6) months of employment.
• Obtain fifteen (15) hours of continuing in-service training annually.
• Obtain ten (10) hours of continuing STARS/MERIT training annually.
• Sign an Educational Professional Development Plan (PDP) to obtain a BA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
• Sign a Professional Development Plan (PDP) to learn to read, write, and speak English (recommended).
• Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
• Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis.