Lead Teacher

About the Role

The Lead Teacher serves as the primary onsite support for the Curriculum Specialist, providing coaching and mentorship to new teacher hires and assuming responsibility of the site in the absence of the Curriculum Specialist. Additionally, the Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a stimulating environment that promotes the growth, well-being, and development of children in their classroom.

Responsibilities

Lead Teacher Responsibilities

• Mentors and supports new teachers in lesson development, classroom management, individual and small group instruction.
• Models and coaches teaching staff on desired instructional and environmental practices in identified areas of need.
• Leads Curriculum Collaboration meetings with the support of the Curriculum Specialist and completes meeting minutes.
• Uses teacher-level access to aid and support navigating the assessment tool, with the support of the Curriculum Specialist.
• Leads training in targeted areas of need as identified.
• Provides critical site support in the absence of the Curriculum Specialist.
• Supports the Curriculum Specialist as needed with new initiatives and pilots.

Classroom Teacher Responsibilities

Classroom Environment

• Provides a safe and stimulating environment that meets Head Start (HS) standards.
• Selects appropriate materials and equipment and arranges the room to provide an environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental level and learning style of the children.
• Establishes a positive routine and simple rules understood and accepted by children and adults.
• Helps children know, accept, and appreciate themselves as individuals.
• Supports each child in developing independence and the ability to express, understand, and control feelings.
• Encourages mutual respect among children in the group.

Curriculum

• Plans lessons and creates activities that prepare children for kindergarten readiness.
• Develops written weekly lesson plans utilizing Creative Curriculum as well as written individualized education plans.
• Provides daily activities and experiences that encourage questioning, probing, and problem-solving skills appropriate to the developmental level and learning style of the children.
• Provides experiences that stimulate children to explore and express their creative ability.
• Assists children in using language as a means of communicating their thoughts, feelings, and understanding of others.

Assessment and Documentation

• Assesses all children’s level of development and documents progress throughout the year using the assessment tool system.
• Observes children daily, recording at least 2 observations per week per child by individualizing each child.
• Formally assesses each child's development using assessment data 3 times per year.
• Plans for children after assessment using data from Child Summary reports.
• Makes appropriate referrals based upon assessments, team planning sessions, CDT, etc.
• Maintains all necessary record keeping, including daily meal count and attendance.

Parent Involvement

• Encourages parent involvement and coaches parents on their child’s continuous education.
• Plans, attends, and supports the Curriculum Specialist with educational family engagement activities in targeted educational component areas.
• Establishes positive and productive relationships with parents and encourages them to participate in the Center's activities.
• Plans a minimum of 3 parent conferences per year and completes 2 home visits per year.
• Organizes and serves as a partner with parents and the classroom Family Service Coordinator (FSC) for the Class Committee.

Professional Development

• Strives to improve skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis.
• Participates in all professional development initiatives and assigned training organized by the program and the grantee office.
• Participates in outside workshops, seminars, and training programs to facilitate ongoing professional development and leadership development.

Secondary Duties

• Serves as a member of the Child Development Team (CDT) when appropriate.
• Participates in all supplemental and enrichment activities such as parent orientation, transition night, male involvement activities, and total parent meetings.
• Assists with and attends special events held by the Center and St. Vincent de Paul as necessary, including meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.