Infant Teacher

OverviewA Lead Teacher at The Goddard School is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally a Lead Teacher is responsible to work together with an Assistant Teacher and in conjunction with the entire faculty.General QualificationsA Lead Teacher must meet the qualifications of his/her state and those set forth in the National Standards for hiring (see www.bls.gov), including the following:

Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aid

Ability to see and read newsprint, with or without corrective lenses

Ability to speak and be understood under normal circumstances

Ability to use arms, hands, legs, and feet, with or without corrective devices; this includes the ability to evacuate the building during emergencies

Ability to handle crisis situations, especially where children are involved

Ability to respond immediately to emergency situations

Lead Teacher educational requirements are the same as Director educational requirements (see Director educational requirements or one of several other criteria listed below)

Educational Qualifications

All candidates, who wish to be considered for the position of Lead Teacher must meet one or more of the following criteria, in addition to any/all requirements that may be mandated by their state and/or local licensing authorities:

A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development.

A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.

An Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or a related field1.

An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.

A current CDA or Early Childhood Teaching Credential.

Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.

Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

RN or LPN with emphasis on the young child including at least one class in Child Development or Human Growth Development (For Infant, Toddler, Get Set only).

Lead Teacher ResponsibilitiesA Lead Teacher’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:Establish and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment

Design an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom

Develop an appropriate classroom management system to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroom

Ensure that classroom equipment is in good repair

Understand and implement The Goddard School® emergency procedure(s)

Promote healthy eating practices at lunch and snack times

Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements

Perform nominal cleaning responsibilities (eg, spills) immediately

Perform major cleaning during times when children are not present

Post a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes a routine and learning opportunities

Post and adhere to all GSI Health and Safety policies and procedures

Advance children’s physical and intellectual competence

Adapt program to meet the individual needs of each child

Create a multi-cultural learning environment

Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials

Interact with the children to support play, exploration and learning

Encourage children to talk with each other and with the faculty

Present age- and developmentally-appropriate expectations for all children

Create a print-rich environment in order for children to learn about books, literature and writing

Encourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play and blocks

Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities

Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play

Integrate GSI resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plans

Support each child’s social and emotional development and provide positive guidance

Understand and adhere to the GSI Behavior Policy

Plan and implement activities to develop children’s self-esteem and social skills

Plan and implement activities to enable children’s feeling of security

Encourage empathetic and respectful feelings for others, as well as the environment, through positive modeling

Respect cultural and ethnic diversity

Establish positive and effective family relations

Communicate, in a professional manner, with families and faculty

Encourage families to become an integral part of their children’s learning experiences

Provide opportunities (e.g., conferences) in which families are made to feel a part of their children’s learning experiences

Prepare a Daily Activity Report for each child

Maintain a portfolio for each child

Maintain the classroom Parent Board

Ensure an effective program, responsive to children’s needs

Assess supplies and materials needed to implement activities

Build teamwork

Develop lesson plan books and posted lesson plans

Manage classrooms according to GSI QA Standards

Perform child observations and document in their portfolios

Use assessment tools (eg, Progress Reports, Children’s Progress)

Maintain professional commitment

Promote GSI philosophy and educational objectives

Support a code of ethical conduct

Pursue professional development/continuing education

Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth opportunities

Related Degrees Include, But May Not Be Limited To

Elementary Education

Home Economics

Child Development

Child Life

Psychology or Sociology with a minor in Education

Special Education

Child Psychology

Relevant Coursework

Child Development

Human Growth and Development

Educational Psychology

Child Psychology

Methods: Age Birth to 8 years

Children’s Literature

Developmental Assessment of Young Children

Measurement and Evaluation

Nutrition

Health and Safety

Child Care Administration

Student Teaching: Kindergarten; 1st Grade; 2nd Grade

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.