Pre - K Lead Teacher

Job Overview:

• Department: Education/Early Childhood
• Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, regular, full-time (Monday-Friday). This is a 12-month program that operates 10 hours per day. Employees are scheduled within the program's operating hours
• Pay: Annualized salary, $51,901 - $68,652 non-exempt
• Location: Fully onsite in the Lower East Side

Program Overview:

The Henry Street Early Childhood Center aims to provide a challenging and inventive curriculum along with stimulating activities for children ages two to five years old. Our classrooms are designed to expand, awaken, and enlighten the minds of every child who attends, and we provide age-appropriate support in social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development skills for our children in order to establish and provide the highest quality early childhood education in a secure environment.

Job Summary:

As a Lead Teacher, you support a year-round (12-month) early childhood program and require a commitment to providing high-quality education and care within a full-day learning environment. Your goal will be to ensure a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help students develop socially, intellectually, and emotionally. You will develop and implement age-appropriate curricula, activities, and lesson plans in the classroom. Your support will also include working collaboratively with an Assistant Teacher and Teacher’s Aide, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records and progress reports, and participating in meetings and events.

Quali?cations:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education preferred. Candidates with an associate degree, significant early childhood education experience, and completed early childhood education coursework will also be considered if they are eligible to participate in an approved study plan.
• Must possess New York State Early Childhood Education Certification (Birth-Grade 2 or Nursery-Grade 6) or be eligible and willing to obtain certification through an approved study plan leading to a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with New York State certification.
• Candidates pursuing or planning to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education are encouraged to apply. Completion of a master's degree may provide opportunities for increased compensation in accordance with organizational policies.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with preschool children (2-5 years of age)
• Demonstrated proficiency in planning appropriate Early Childhood classroom activities aligned with NYS Common Core Standards and DAP, observing children’s behaviors, maintaining educational records, and conferring with parents
• Must have knowledge of progressive approaches to Early Childhood education and experience with the Creative Curriculum
• Mastery of child development including typical and atypical language, cognitive, motor, social, and self-help skills development
• Desire to work with a diverse population of children and families (including, but not limited to families and children in transitional housing, first generation speakers of languages other than English)
• Exceptional supervisory and leadership skills; ability to motivate others
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated; ability to multi-task and work efficiently and effectively under deadlines
• Well-versed in DOH/DOE contractual and licensure requirements relative to classroom layout, curriculum, lesson plans, and service delivery to Henry Street children and families
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and regulations which govern childcare (including but not limited to Early Learn, Head Start, DOH Article 47 standards)
• Experience working with groups and/or families from diverse cultural, linguistic, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification

Responsibilities:

• Age-appropriately provide students with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally
• Develop engaging activities and lesson plans in accordance with the Creative Curriculum and the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Standards for the Common Core
• Provide services to all children and families with respect, confidentiality, and dignity
• Exhibit knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socio-economic needs of the children and families served in the program
• Create and post visual and written documentation to highlight the voice of the children and communicate the learning and growth that they experience daily
• Relate to families in a holistic fashion to address matters such as education, social services, health, nutrition, and family issues
• Nurture and uphold positive working relationships with parents and Henry Street team members
• Ensure parent involvement and/or awareness in program planning through regular, open communication (i.e., parent meetings and events, newsletters, daily notes, conferences, etc.)
• Lead and collaborate with Assistant Teacher and Teacher Aide regarding program development, planning, and implementation and delegate their responsibilities professionally
• Consistently update and maintain children’s progress reports, daily health logs, incident logs, accident reports, lesson plans, and weekly child observation notes, etc.; comply with other requirements for documentation and recordkeeping
• Resolve problems quickly and efficiently
• Maintain an open, frequent dialogue with the Program Director and Operations Coordinator regarding all matters pertaining to the Early Childhood classroom, students, parents, etc.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

• Ability to climb 2 flights of stairs
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Ability to stand, stoop, or bend for long periods of time