Staff

Lead Teachers and Assistants in the following classrooms:

• Infant
• Toddler
• Preschool
• Pre-K
• Explorers Club

Overview:

A Lead Teacher at LITTLE EXPLORERS ACADEMY 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 staff.

General Qualifications:

Responsible for the safety of all children in the group ranging in age from Newborn to 12 months; 13 months to 18 months; 19 months to 24 months; 2 years; 3 years; 4 years; 5 years; 6 years to 12 years.

• Classroom management: Provide a Structured Academic Setting to ensure students are retaining learning concepts from our Montessori, Reggio Emilia, STEAM and FROG STREET based curriculum.
• Plan and implement activities that promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of all children.
• Responsible for the care, hygiene, learning, and developmental activities, and specialized programs.
• Communicates directly with parents regarding their child’s accomplishment, academic progress and daily activities.
• Maintain classroom records, cleanliness, and orderliness to align with state regulations, state standards and Center Policies.
• Demonstrated skills in early childhood curriculum and implementation.
• Actively engaged with the children at all times while serving as a role model through appearance and actions.
• Provide a loving and nurturing environment for all children.
• Follow lesson plans outlined in the developed curriculum.
• Develop opportunities to positively impact children’s self-esteem.
• Maintain an environment (both indoors and outdoors) that is safe, clean, and inviting.

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 field, 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 field.
• An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field, 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.

A 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 Little Explorers Academy emergency procedure(s).
• Promote healthy eating practices at breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack times.
• Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements.
• Perform nominal cleaning responsibilities (e.g., spills, etc.) 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 LEA Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Teachers should 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.
• Interaction 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, gardening, manipulatives and blocks.
• Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities.
• Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play.
• Integrate LEA resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plans.

Teachers are expected toSupport each child’s social and emotional development and provide positive guidance by:

• Understand and adhere to the LEA 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.

It is important to 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/file for each child.
• Maintain the classroom Parent Board.

Our employees 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 (e.g., Progress Reports, Children’s Progress).

We expect all employees to maintain professional commitment:

• Promote LEA Christian philosophy and educational objectives.
• Support a code of ethical conduct.
• Pursue professional development/continuing education requirements each year.
• Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth opportunities as scheduled.

Job Requirements

• CPR and First Aid Certification Required.
• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education Preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education Preferred.
• Must meet or exceed state licensing requirements for age, education, and experience.
• 2+ years of early childhood education experience Preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to be flexible in assignment and work hours, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to work on their feet for long periods of time.
• Proficient in writing and interpersonal skills.

Full Time Benefits

• Direct Deposit
• Childcare Discount
• Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time
• Growth Opportunities

Employment Application