Teacher I / Teacher II

Purpose of the Position

The UAH Early Learning Center blends best practices from early childhood education, child development, early childhood special education, and integrated therapy to give all children a firm foundation for their future. The learning environment is designed to promote and allow for multidimensional growth: socially, cognitively, physically, and emotionally. The selected candidate will be working within the RISE School, which strives to provide a curriculum that fosters self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, and curiosity within an inclusive environment that brings together traditional learners and learners with exceptional needs.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead teacher in your classroom and ensure an appropriate classroom environment. The lead and teacher’s assistant share instructional responsibilities, child supervision, and other classroom duties.
• Prepare lesson plans for motivating classroom activities following the approved curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Maintain communication with families via telephone calls, email, daily notes, newsletters, and Brightwheel, and conduct parent conferences at designated times throughout the year.
• Document each child’s performance and progress with daily data records and yearly updated assessments, or earlier if necessary.
• Handle behavior promptly and in accordance with the stated school policy on behavior management. Notify the Director of any behavioral problems immediately.
• Interact frequently with children; encourage the use of language and independent functioning using positive reinforcement.
• Promote "family style" meals.

Specialized Educational Duties

• Assist with additional assessments of children as part of the assessment team, if needed for a student.
• Collaborate with the therapy team, if appropriate, on the development and implementation of IIPs.
• Facilitate integration of children with and without disabilities in the classroom.
• Assist with children's transition to the next classroom or educational setting.
• Utilize technology and adaptive equipment as appropriate.
• Absorb with the training of college interns/volunteers.
• Attend conferences/workshops as required, staff planning, and evaluation meetings.
• Understand and use Alternative and Assistive Communication devices for individual children with the support of the Speech Therapist. Understand and use visual supports in the classroom.

Physical Duties

• Supervise and ensure the safety and well-being of children at all times, being alert to the needs and/or problems of the children as individuals and as a group. This will involve walking, running, twisting, reaching, and pulling/pushing to respond to the needs of the children and the classroom. This will involve listening to and watching the children to maintain a safe environment. The individual will be required to routinely lift up to 50 pounds in caring for the children, depending upon the classroom assigned.
• Interact with the children during learning/free-choice time and gross motor time to facilitate children's play. This will involve squatting, crouching, stooping, bending, crawling, etc., to interact with the children.
• Adhere to all safety and sanitation requirements set forth in the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child-Care Centers; ensure that children are supervised and dressed appropriately. Adhere to the guidelines for Accreditation by NAEYC. Be familiar with and follow all UAH & Rise Program Policies, CACFP/USDA, DHR, and NAEYC program criteria, and ADPH guidelines.
• Daily duties may include diaper changing, sterilizing/cleaning toys and equipment, assisting with children’s snacks/lunches/feeding, vacuuming/sweeping, mopping, laundry, washing dishes/utensils, and other general cleaning duties involving repetitive motion.

Performance Expectations

• Follow policies & procedures of the UAH Early Learning Center.
• Treat parents with respect; direct parent concerns to the director and lead teacher; make parents feel welcome.
• Treat colleagues with respect; willingly communicate with team members, display a positive attitude; maintain confidentiality; keep the director and the lead teacher informed of special needs or problems of children or parents.
• Attend and assist with after-school special events & fundraisers for the UAH Early Learning Center.
• Perform routine duties and responsibilities on time; take initiative in recognizing what needs to be done and do it.
• Arrive on time for work; maintain good attendance; request leave following set policies and within the required amount of time (unless in an emergency situation).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Collaborative Education, or a related field.
• Valid (or expired) Teaching Certificate in one of the above fields, or Master's Degree in one of the above fields (Teacher level II requirement).
• 1 year of full-time verifiable experience working with young children in a classroom setting.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet DHR License-Exempt hiring requirements.