POSITION DESCRIPTION
Lead Teacher

Department: Head Start
Covered Position: Yes

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade(s): 8-9 ($27.51+/hour DOE)

Purpose: Responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing an educational program that meets the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of students. The Lead Teacher provides guidance to teachers aides and volunteers, and collaborates with Head Start Management Team and families to ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. The Lead Teacher oversees, delegates, and monitors classroom operations and family/community outreach on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Responsible for maintaining working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and applicable State of Alaska regulations specific to early childhood programming
• Supervise and monitor children; respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur
• Develop and maintain positive classroom environment for children, families, and staff
• With Child Development Coordinator guidance, ensure the following are developed and implemented:
on-going child assessments, individualized learning plans, and, if needed, positive behavior plans
• Work with school district, public health, and/or community service agencies to ensure child services meet HSPPS compliance
• Develop, submit, and lead weekly lesson plans that incorporate the Early Learning Outcomes Framework and designated curriculum
• Maintain confidentiality of families and program
• Utilize Child Plus and Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) to ensure all required assessments and documentation are accurate, complete, and routinely updated
• Delegate the recruitment of parent committee members, policy council members, and substitutes to teaching team members
• Monitor and report child abuse concerns to appropriate authority
• Work with Mentor Coach in creating professional development plans and attending trainings throughout the school year
• Document all family contacts, family visits, and parent/teacher conferences
• Provide an environment that promotes and reinforces family/community engagement
• Support the families’ goals toward health, safety, financial stability and aspirations
• Work with Food Service Coordinator to ensure sanitary food preparation, food storage, and clean-up in accordance with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines
• Provide family style meals and snacks (as appropriate)
• Complete 15-hours of ECE professional development per school year
• Encourage and co-create a positive work environment
• Work with team to ensure general maintenance and janitorial duties are shared and complete
• Purchase supplies as needed and ensure accurate inventory of equipment and supplies
• Supervises two to four teaching staff, volunteers, and parents in the classroom
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively:
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written
• Proficient Computer skills
• Ability to delegate tasks and monitor assignments
• Ability to collaborate with fellow teachers, management team, and community agencies/organizations
• Willingness to learn and implement early childhood best practices into daily activities
• Ability to problem-solve and make timely decisions
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete and confidential records
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency policy and legal requirements.
• Be honest, reliable and dependable.
• Adhere to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Familiarity with Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• Associate’s Degree in Child Development, Early Education or closely related
• Child Development Credential (CDA)
• Two years related experience
• Must be 21 years of age with a Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Current First Aid/CPR certificate.

Physical Requirements. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation:
• The work is generally active, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, kneeling, sitting on floor and carrying of items and/or children weighing up to 60 lbs.
Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:
• The majority of work is performed in a pre-school setting with a wide variety of children and people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities.
• Certain positions at Tlingit and Haida may have exposure to certain hazardous materials or conditions. The supervisor will review these if applicable.