Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) is seeking a Lead Teacher!
Sign on Incentive of $3,000 Available - $500 payable after successful completion of 90 days, $1,000 payable after successful completion of 6 months and $1,500 after successful completion of one year.
Monthly Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement available- ranges from $240 up to $540/monthly, dependent on current Maine Roads to Quality tier is available for all per diem employees working at least one day a month in our Early Childhood Program.
The Lead Teacher provides developmentally appropriate preschool education that advances the cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional growth for a classroom of up to 20 children. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all existing state child care licensing regulations and federal Head Start Program Performance Standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Classroom Management:
1. Provides oversight of center in absence of Site Manager.
2. Establishes and maintains a safe and healthy environment.
3. Plans and implements developmentally appropriate educational activities. Ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards related to Education & Child Development.
4. Facilitates compliance with all other Head Start Performance Standards.
5. Follows chosen curricula.
6. Provides oversight of children's development in the classroom:
a. Conducts observations of each child’s developmental progress and incorporates into curriculum plans, utilizing Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment System.
b. Completes developmental assessments for each child quarterly each program year, utilizing Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment System.
c. Completes behavioral/social-emotional assessments for each child twice in the program year (once by the 45th enrollment day) using the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) tool.
d. Recommends referral for special services as indicated by observations and assessments.
e. Works collaboratively with Child Development Services (CDS) to incorporate the delivery of special services into the classroom, including assisting with the scheduling of services and the provision of appropriate space.
f. Conducts two family conferences with each child’s family during the program year to discuss child outcomes data and to incorporate parent input into individualization/curriculum planning.
g. Conducts two home visits with each child’s family during the program year. One will be held to introduce parents to the program prior to child’s enrollment and the second will be done to discuss child outcomes data, as well as to incorporate parent input into individualization/curriculum planning and to prepare the child and parent’s transition to Pre-k or Kindergarten.
h. Provides daily supervision of volunteers and visitors.
Record Keeping and Reporting:
1. Reports all suspected cases of child/adult abuse and neglect to the Department of Health & Human Services and Head Start administration as required by law and WCAP policy.
2. Establishes and maintains children’s records to meet all required standards and regulations.
3. Submits weekly lesson plans and monthly individual child plans and child observations to the Manager.
4. Submits reports of developmental assessments to the Education Manager.
5. Submits reports of behavioral/social-emotional assessments to Mental Health & Prevention Manager.
6. Maintains documentation of parent/staff conferences and home visits.
Support for Family Participation
1. Works with the Family Advocate to support and encourage family participation.
2. Prepares monthly curriculum information for the Family Advocate to share at Parent Group meetings and newsletters.
3. Attends Parent Meetings to encourage parent engagement in their child’s development and learning.
4. Prepares weekly newsletters, and “Family Packs” of information to send home to each family.
Personnel Administration
1. Supervises Assistant Teacher and Classroom Aide, as assigned.
2. Assesses professional development activities needed for supervisees annually; provides training if appropriate or arrange outside training when necessary throughout the program year.
3. Provides annual evaluations of supervisees.
Qualifications:
General Requirements
- Must be able to pass a physical examination and TB screening.
- Must have adequate transportation, a valid driver's license and meet WCAP's insurance
requirements.
- Must meet WCAP’s background clearance requirements.
- Valid Criminal Record History Check (CHRC) through DOE.
Experience and Skill Requirements
The following experience and skills are considered essential:
- Experience teaching infants and toddler children.
- Proficient skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Strong communication skills.
- Strong organizational/time management skills.
Education Requirements
You must meet one of the following education requirements:
· Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to ECE or any subject with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education. College transcripts must demonstrate a minimum of 24 credit hours related to ECE specific content areas.
· An Associate’s Degree in ECE.
· An Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA).
** All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated
A detailed job description is available on our website: www.waldocap.org. Please submit a completed WCAP employment application also available on our website to: Human Resources, WCAP, PO Box 130, Belfast, ME 04915. This position will remain open until a suitable applicant is found. WCAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.