Lead Teacher - Early Learning - Toddler/Two's Class - (Multiple Openings)

About the role

The Early Learning Lead Teacher plays a dynamic role at Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day in providing quality child care services in our ECE programs. The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a developmentally appropriate learning environment that stimulates, nurtures and leads children's' social, emotional, physical and academic growth. The Lead Teacher, as part of a team, implements Wonders' policies, procedures and practices in an organized and thorough manner.

Responsibilities

• Actively plan learning activities that are balanced in all areas and include: active/quiet, long/short, group/individual, cognitive/physical, large group/small group and child initiated/teacher directed.
• Apply your knowledge and understanding of typical and atypical development of infants to 5-year-old children, social and emotional development of children, cognitive, language, early literacy, and mathematics development of children through activities in the classroom, and cultural backgrounds of the children in the facility's care by demonstrating cultural competence and support through interactions and program activities with children and families.
• Participate, contribute, and cooperate in team planning sessions with the Program Director and your team. Lead your team in planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate program that is age-appropriate, process-oriented, encourages divergent thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, and is based on Wonders philosophy and mission.
• Maintain open communication with Program Director regarding children, families, and team members. Assist in orientating and training new team members for center responsibilities.
• Share teaching responsibilities with all team members and provide clear and objective feedback. Plan and participate in special events for children and families.
• Ensure that all spaces used by the program are: physically and emotionally safe, interesting and engaging for children, clean and organized, reflect and support the lives and work of the children present, and support children in their understanding of the diversity of our society.
• Develop behavior management strategies based on Wonders policy, with your team members, Program Director, parents, and all childcare professionals/therapists across disciplines. Establish and nurture partnerships with families.
• Communicate with families on a regular basis to: inform them of program curriculum and activities, solicit information about their child's development and family events, and prepare for and conduct conferences with families.
• Participate in accreditation and reaccreditation processes for your site.
• Maintain children's classroom records as defined by your Program Director.
• Attend a minimum of 18 hours of MSDE/OCC approved staff training yearly.
• Maintain Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, healthy and friendly classroom environment following NAEYC guidelines. Recognize and report signs of illness, child abuse and safety hazard to appropriate authorities.
• Follow NAEYC Ethical Code of Conduct.

Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years' experience working with the specific age group of children in the classroom.
• Minimum of AA degree in ECE, or 90-hour preschool course (if degree is not in ECE), or CDA credential.
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (Elementary Education, Special Education) with a minimum of 36 college credits in ECE courses preferred.
• 9-hour Communication Course (if candidate does not have a college degree or college units).

Qualifications

• Must qualify as Maryland State Senior Staff.
• Familiar with NAEYC standards and principles.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Skills

• Creative, nurturing, and fun.
• Dependable and detail oriented.
• Thrives in a high-pressure environment.
• People oriented - enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects.
• Adaptable - enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction.
• Innovative - prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

Pay

$53,000 - $57,000 per year

Schedule

8:00a to 5:00p / 9:00a to 6:00p