ECEAP Lead Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Early ECEAP Lead Teacher provides infants and toddlers with a positive learning environment and varied experiences that will help them develop in all domains in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. The Lead Teacher works in collaboration with the assistant teacher and site team to enhance the parent’s role as the principal influence on the child’s education and development.

This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Contributes to the development of communicating mutual respect, mutual support, competence, and creativity among all members of the Head Start and ECEAP staff
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and support to assistant teachers
• In collaboration with other site staff, supports and participates in ongoing recruitment efforts to ensure full enrollment
• Plans and develops a daily schedule of classroom routines and activities
• Prepares and implements lesson plans in accordance with the ECEAP program performance standards and program service plans. Provides an integrated, child-centered, comprehensive curriculum and multicultural environment, which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities
• Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs
• Collaborates with Assistant Teacher to prepare and organize the classroom and classroom materials in accordance with the planned classroom program
• Communicates regularly and respectfully with families and involves them in the educational program. Encourages and supports families in working toward goals that they have set for themselves
• Collaborates with site team in planning and facilitating family events/meetings. When working with diverse populations, accesses interpreters
• Conducts four (4) hours of educational planning meetings annually with each child’s family
• Completes written observations of individual children throughout the year. Develops a learning plan for each child within 90 days of school entry. Maintains complete confidential records on each child
• Administers standardized screening tools on every child within 90 days of school entry. Rescreens and refers as necessary
• Assists with planning, preparation, and serving of snacks and meals; participates in and facilitates mealtime service, and joins children at the table for support and conversation
• Teaches and oversees health habits in the classroom, i.e., handwashing, toothbrushing, etc. Administers first aid as needed. Checks indoor and outdoor environments for safety hazards. Works in collaboration with the Mental Health Professional and Nurse Consultant as needed
• Supervises, trains, and supports preschool teaching assistants. Assists with recruitment and training of family/community volunteers to participate in the classroom
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning for children and families to include staffings, multidisciplinary teams, individual education plans, and other cross-component coordination efforts
• Participates in in-service staff trainings, staff meetings, and other education opportunities to gain knowledge and skills throughout the year
• In collaboration with Assistant Teacher, families, and site team, ensures smooth transitions for children and families to before- and after school 
• Responsible to keep informed of ongoing program changes and updates
• Complies with Akin policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Able to participate as positive, productive team member of the site’s multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschoolers
• Ability to communicate effectively and relate positively to students, parents, staff, and volunteers in a diverse environment
• Ability to adjust to varied situations, demands, and new instructional concepts
• Ability to perform basic clerical tasks such as recordkeeping, filing, typing, copying, etc.
• Ability to attend occasional evening meetings
• Ability to embrace and support Akin’s commitment to fostering an inclusive organization

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This job is performed in a professional office environment. The following list is representative of the work environment employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job:

WORKING REMOTELY:

Working remotely is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace, but remote work cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Remote work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• The equivalent of 12 college quarter credits*; OR,
• A current Child Development Associate (CDA) awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development
  • Staff who do not meet Standard Qualifications may be hired if there is a Professional Development Plan submitted that describes how the individual will obtain full qualifications within five (5) years of appointment
• First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire
• Food and Beverage Handler’s Permit within 30 days of hire
• Completion of a one-step Mantoux tuberculosis (TB) test, unless has written proof of a negative test within past 12 months
• *C-5 College Credit

When college credit is required for ECEAP staff, the following applies:

• College credit must be earned from an accredited institution of higher education
• 1 college semester credit = 1.5 college quarter credits
• Staff may replace up to 1/3 of required college credit with workshop hours related to the job description, at the rate of ten (10) classroom hours to one (1) college credit. This does not apply to requirements for a college degree
  • Acceptable workshop hours are: Washington State Training and Registry System (STARS) approved training; Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) approved clock hours; in-service training, conferences, or training provided by agencies specializing in professional development
• Credit counted for staff qualifications, such as 12 or 30 credit requirements for Teachers and Family Support Specialists must be directly related to the job description
• Early childhood education (ECE) credit is coursework with content closely related to the Washington State STARS Core Competencies and predominantly address children ages birth to 8
• Staff requirements for an associate’s degree allow any “two-year” community or technical college degree of 90 quarter credits or more, including degrees designated as AA, AAS, AAS-T, ATA, or AD
• Equivalent degrees and credentials from other states and countries are accepted

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desired.

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $21.44 to $27.18 hourly DOE for external candidates. 

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 10 days of vacation leave each year, three Employee Appreciation Day each year, and will accrue one sick day per month (pro-rated for part-time employees). Employees will also enjoy 15 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. We also offer EAP and mental health benefits.