Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

Under the direct supervision of the director, the Lead Teacher is responsible for interacting with children, stimulating their interests, and contributing to their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. This position is responsible for designing and implementing an environment that provides developmentally appropriate curriculum according to NAEYC and High/Scope guidelines. The Lead Teacher maintains a safe and healthy environment for the children and positive relationships with families, children and co-workers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.

• Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.

• Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.

• Completes documentation and record keeping

Interaction/Curriculum

• Practice positive guidance techniques to regulate children’s behavior

• Interact with children in a developmentally appropriate manner outlined in the

Children’s Learning Center Guide for Interactions

• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate

• Ensure materials are prepared and rotated to carry out implementation of lesson plans

• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which meets NAEYC and High/Scope Guidelines outlined in the Accreditation Self-Study Materials and other resources

• Maintain documentation of children’s development, score and evaluate assessments

• Write and implement daily activity plans that are developmentally appropriate and address all areas of development including social/emotional and physical skills and encourage children to think, problem solve and experiment and plan a daily schedule which provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, individual/small group, etc.

• Maintain a substitute file to ensure consistency in the program in the event of staff changes

• Guide volunteers in the classroom

• Support and model for student interns with guidance and training

• Acknowledge families and classroom visitors in a friendly, courteous and professional manner and respond to families’ comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest and respect

• Establish and maintain a Primary Care-giving system with individual children and their families

• Communicate verbally and in writing daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children in care and share resources with families

• Plan and facilitate family conferences to discuss orientation, transitions and

developmental goals for children based on appropriate assessments

• Assist in planning and attend center/classroom events and meetings

• Share resources with families through discussions, articles, family boards, newsletters and community contacts

• Serve as curriculum leader for the classroom

Physical Environment/ Health and Safety

• Supervise children at all times; Be aware of entire group, even when working with a small group

• Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times

• Ensure all licensing, NAEYC and High/Scope guidelines are met

• Encourage children to use appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices

• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive; Encourage respect for classroom materials

• Ensure appropriate diapering and toilet procedures are used

Report suspected child abuse/neglect appropriately

Professionalism

• Support the Children’s Learning Center mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies

• Ensure continuity of care for children by being on time to work, maintaining consistent attendance, and arranging leave requests in advance; adhere to staffing schedules which may be adjusted as program needs change and may include working in another classroom

• Attend faculty meetings, training sessions, and other center events

• Respond to Children’s Learning Center and Driscoll Children's Hospital needs by attending training, contributing to newsletters, serving on committees, or helping with Driscoll activities

• Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, reading professional literature, attending conferences and /or other methods mandated by the director

• Receive constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates willingness to improve; give feedback in a constructive manner

• Establish and maintain relationship of cooperation and respect with co-workers

• Assume additional center responsibilities as needed: kitchen, pets, children’s files, etc.

• Actively participate in team teaching by communicating, collaborating and curriculum planning with co-workers

• Serve on center committees as needed

Program Management

• Ensures classroom staff implements classroom activities and uses appropriate guidance

• Contributes to monthly/weekly newsletter as requested

• Provide tours to prospective families of the classroom

• Maintains appropriate paperwork and record keeping

• Attend conferences/trainings in addition to 30 hours required annually and plan staff training sessions based on information received

• Present training materials/sessions to staff as requested

• Opens and closes the center as needed

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

o Must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED

o Meet federal as well as Texas State Requirements and maintain credentials for the position

o Excellent communication skills

o Experience with computers, including Microsoft Word and the internet

o An AA in Early Childhood Education and one-year related experience (Student Teaching practicum is equal to one year experience) or an equivalent combination.

PREFERRED:

o An AA degree in Early Childhood and two years experience including experience with the

NAEYC Accreditation process

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS.

CPR and First Aide Certification, Food Handlers Certification must be obtained and maintained