Lead Teacher

About the role

The lead teacher provides children with a positive learning environment and varied experiences that will help them develop in all areas in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. The lead teacher works in collaboration with the assistant teacher and site team to enhance the parent's role as the principal influence on the child's education and development.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development of communication, mutual respect, mutual support, competence, and creativity among all members of the ECEAP staff.
• Provides leadership and support to assistant teacher(s).
• Supports and participates in ongoing recruitment efforts to ensure full enrollment.
• Plans and develops a daily schedule of classroom routines and activities.
• Prepares and implements lesson plans in accordance with the ECEAP program performance standards and program service plans.
• Provides an integrated, child-centered, comprehensive curriculum and multicultural environment, which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities.
• Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs.
• Collaborates with Assistant Teacher to prepare and organize the classroom and classroom materials in accordance with the planned classroom program.
• Communicates regularly and respectfully with families and involves them in the educational program. Encourages and supports families in working toward goals they have set for themselves. Collaborates with site team in planning and facilitating family events/meetings.
• Administers standardized screening tools on every child within 90 days of school entry. Re-screens and refers as necessary.
• Completes written observations of individual children throughout the year. Develops a learning plan for each child within 90 days of school entry. Maintains complete confidential records on each child.
• Teaches and oversees health habits in the classroom, i.e. handwashing, toothbrushing, etc. Administers first aid as needed. Checks indoor and outdoor environment for safety hazards. Works in collaboration with Mental Health Professional and Nurse Consultant as needed.
• Supervises, trains and supports preschool teaching assistants. Assists with recruitment and training of family/community volunteers to participate in the classroom.
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning for children and families including staffing, multidisciplinary teams, individual education plans and other cross-component coordination efforts.
• Conducts three hours of educational planning meetings annually with each child's family.
• Participate in EPSDT program as directed.
• Works in collaboration with Assistant Teacher, families and site team to ensure smooth transitions for children and families to before- and after-school care and between ECEAP and Kindergarten.
• Responsible to keep informed of ongoing program changes and updates.

  Requirements

  • Education and Experience: Associate Degree or higher in any field with 30 credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE) OR Current Washington State Teaching Certificate with endorsement in ECE (PreK-3) or Early Childhood Special Education (Substitution: Professional Development Plan to complete above qualifications).
  • Preferred Qualifications: 15 ECE credits One (1) school year (9 months) experience in a preschool classroom.

  Qualifications

  • Required Qualifications: Possess and maintain a valid and current food handler's permit. Possess and maintain a current district-approved American Heart Association or American Red Cross pediatric CPR and first aid training within 90 days of employment. District approved courses must include hands-on exam. Have reliable transportation. Submit a Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) health clearance form from a medical provider. Provide current negative tuberculosis (TB) test results or negative chest X-ray. Cannot smell of smoke, perfume, or other chemicals. Possess and maintain district-paid Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certificated course. Successfully complete the FWPS district-approved Right Response training at the advanced level at the next available time; maintain current certification at the advanced level through an annual recertification class. Pass and maintain a Portable Back Check (PBC) on Merit through DCYF. This must be cleared prior to staff's employment start date.
  • Knowledge: Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others. Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District. Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future." Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

  Physical Demands

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions in a controlled space with artificial lighting and some natural lighting. The employee may be required to go outside for recess. The indoor flooring is both carpeted and linoleum. The employee may go outside for recess. The employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud. The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children and must follow universal precautions when caring for hygiene needs. This position requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals. The employee must adjust to frequent interruptions in their work schedule.
  • The employee abides by OSHA safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment, and wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering.

  Work Environment

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions in a controlled space with artificial lighting and some natural lighting. The employee may be required to go outside for recess. The indoor flooring is both carpeted and linoleum. The employee may go outside for recess. The employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud. The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children and must follow universal precautions when caring for hygiene needs. This position requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals. The employee must adjust to frequent interruptions in their work schedule.
  • The employee abides by OSHA safety rules/standards and wears required safety equipment, and wears safe shoes with toe and heel covering.

  Work Schedule

  This position typically works Monday through Friday during preschool hours during the school year. Hours may vary. Must be able to work some evenings and weekend.

  Reporting Relationship

  This position reports to ECEAP Coordinator and/or designee.

  Representation

  Public School Employees (ECEAP) Level Of Compensation ECEAP Lead Teacher position on the ECEAP Salary Schedule This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental, vision; sick, life insurance and retirement. Classifications History Updated Min Quals 6/2023 Update 07/2015 Updated to new format 08/2016 Updated Right Response language 07/2017 Updated 03/2023 - Portable Back Check Disclaimer The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status. Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.