Universal Pre-K Teacher in Windsor

Purpose: To be responsible for the general supervision of children and classroom staff and management of one classroom by performing the duties necessary to provide a safe, nurturing, stimulating and educational environment for children. This includes allowing the children to grow at their own pace and gain in social, physical, emotional and cognitive development.

Reports To: Director, Assistant Director or other designated Administrator

Supervises: Assistant Teachers

Works as a Team with: Designated School District

Requirements:

• Able to observe, see, hear and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, other Center areas, or on field trips.
• Able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist high table 25 - 30 times daily.
• Able to reach a child 20 - 30 feet away within 30 seconds.
• Able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time on a regular basis.
• Good health as confirmed by a physician's statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis.
• New York State Registry clearance.
• Criminal History Fingerprint clearance.
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community.

Responsibilities:

• Adhering to all policies and procedures of First Learning Child Care and the child care licensing regulations of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
• The care, safety and well-being of all children in the classroom, including attending to children's personal needs, e.g., diapering, toileting, feeding, washing, clothing, comforting, preparing for rest.
• Planning and implementing an age-appropriate, open-ended program which coincides with the philosophy of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the District.
• Preparing an inviting, clean and organized classroom environment with learning centers and hands-on activities which coincides with the philosophy of NAEYC and the District.
• Delegating program responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence.
• Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner which follows the guidelines of NAEYC and the District.
• Orienting and actively supervising children by overseeing both small and large groups of children.
• Developing parent relationships and communicating directly with parents on a regular basis, including classroom orientation, daily child activity reports, and at least biannual progress reports.
• Maintaining classroom records and keeping necessary written documentation for OCFS and the District.
• Maintaining knowledge of classroom children's allergies, advising all staff and acting accordingly.
• Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing classroom procedures.
• Communicating effectively and directly with other staff.
• Providing timely supervisor reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
• Supervising, training, coaching and developing staff assigned to the classroom.
• Measuring progress of children and staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate.
• Assisting supervisor and rendering staff support to all other classrooms and employees as necessary.
• Supervising and maintaining general housekeeping and repair of assigned areas and common space.
• Performing administrative duties as necessary for the classroom and Center operations.
• Maintaining current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY.
• Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of NYS child care regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities which correspond with NAEYC guidelines.
• Effective and tactful oral and written communication skills.
• Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents.
• Ability to use constructive methods for maintaining group control and individual behaviours.
• Ability to use sound judgment and tact.
• Ability to work on a team as a team leader.
• Ability to organize and problem solve effectively.
• Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to the needs of the program).
• Creativity and patience.

Training and Experience:

• UPK Teacher.
• NYS Teaching Certification (Birth-2), OR A Bachelor’s Degree, at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education, OR at least 6 months of experience working in a school-based setting with children under the age of 6, and commit to obtain a NY State Early childhood teacher certification within three years of employment.