Teacher-In-Charge

Description:

JOB PURPOSE

The Teacher-in-Charge acts as the Educational Coordinator at their assigned location and assists in maintaining fidelity of curriculum instruction, development of staff and program compliance. The Teacher-in-Charge works in collaboration with the assigned Site Director as well as the Educational Leadership Team to ensure that Social Service, Mental Health, Disabilities, Health, Compliance and Facilities needs are being met at their assigned location and develop plans to address concerns. Responsibilities to the classroom will take priority over administrative duties.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Direct a class of students (maybe mixed age) through daily activities
• Partners with internal customers and external clients, as need, to achieve program standards and goals
• Collaborates with Education and Leadership teams to achieve program standards and goals

Responsibilities:

Planning, Preparation + Curriculum Development

• Construct curriculum collaboratively with Assistant Teacher, providing activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving appropriate to the development levels of the children; help to plan, prepare and develop various teaching aids for use in classroom and lead classroom activities
• Supervise the planning and execution of programming that takes into account the social, developmental, and health needs of the group as well as the individual child
• Provide on-going leadership, coordination and supervision to the educational staff at assigned site while working collaboratively with other EA programs to ensure program standards and goals
• Provide instructional support and coaching to educational staff when able or collaborating with coaching staff to conduct demonstration lessons on best practices, on-going monitoring and review of child assessment with teachers
• Coordinate and collaborate with Site Director and Education Team to ensure a comprehensive program, working to keep program in line with best practices and new standards as they arise
• Share in documenting, analyzing and planning from observations, individualizing for specific child needs
• Coordinate and hold weekly planning meetings with teaching team, keeping documentation
• Ensure that Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) are being implemented with fidelity and deadlines adhered to, using School Readiness Goals to support planning
• Assist in child development assessment practices for both baseline screenings and ongoing child assessment, maintaining agency expectations amongst supervised staff, providing guidance and training as needed

Classroom / Work Environment

• Ensure overall implementation of program policies and procedures, curriculum, and on-going communication to ensure program standards and goals are being met
• Work to maintain classroom ratios in line with compliance regulation and make plans to ensure coverage is provided as needed for staffing
• Keeping equipment and materials accessible and in good condition, ordering new supplies as needed, to encourage maximum constructive use of the learning centers at assigned site
• Work collaboratively with Social Service, Mental Health, Disabilities, Health and Nutrition, Compliance and facilities to ensure that assigned location is in compliance with program standards and goals and follows best practices
• Organizing physical space and selection of materials in a way that is inviting and accessible for all children of all abilities present in the classroom, and follows guidelines set forth by programs Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessment tool

Interactions with Staff, Children and Families

• Model developmentally appropriate activities and positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom
• Take part in active supervision of children, engaging them in enriched conversation throughout the day
• Assist with implementation of children’s individual development plans
• Tend to diapering/toileting; maintain a clean, safe and orderly classroom
• Foster relationships with parents to educate them about their children’s development as well as promoting them in their role as advocates for themselves and their families
• Build respectful and reciprocal relationships with families
• Co-facilitation of monthly parent meetings and staff meetings with Site Director and Social Service staff at site
• Assist in the successful transitioning of children in all regards; class to class, age group to age group, UPK to K
• Identifying difficulties and coaching children, families and staff through conflicts utilizing problem solving skills
• Work collaboratively with Supervisory Staff to develop and implement family programs and events, both at site level and agency level

Professional Responsibilities

• Developing an understanding of Head Start goals, philosophy and ways of implementation
• Maintain awareness of the philosophy and goals of the program in order to help parents become active advocates for their children
• Collaborative and professional relationship with colleagues
• Attend Education Team meetings as assigned and demonstrate willingness to incorporate new ideas and strategies to meet program standards and goals in line with best practices
• Attend professional development opportunities both internal and external and conduct professional development training sessions to staff as assigned
• Attend staff meetings, program enrichment and other program events as assigned
• Showing professionalism including integrity, ethical conduct and decision making
• *If applicable, provide HR/Compliance with proof of progress for every semester while on a study plan, ensuring that staff are meeting their requirements for their study plans as well.
• Observe strict confidentiality
• Adhere to Educational Alliance policies and procedures; comply with required documentation and record keeping responsibilities for both the classroom functioning and for individual children
• Maintain compliance paperwork, and submit documents by deadlines assigned
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications: