Lead Teacher

USC’s School for Early Childhood Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality early childhood education services to children and their families in the South Los Angeles area. Founded in 1970 as a teaching school for future early childhood professionals, the USC School for Early Childhood Education (USC SECE) seeks to promote school readiness, health/nutrition, mental wellness, and family engagement. Today, our licensed Head Start and Early Head Start centers serve more than 500 infants and preschool children and their parents each year. We seek enthusiastic, creative, dynamic, and team-oriented individuals who enjoy working with children while fostering a supportive learning environment. 

Job Overview: 

The Lead Teacher develops curriculum for, and oversees the activities of a targeted group of children in a childcare program. Supervises and/or mentors teachers and head teachers. Maintains quality childcare standards. Acts in absence of Program Director/Manager with responsibility for ensuring childcare program is in compliance with state regulations and requirements and the authority to acknowledge receipt of deficiency notices and to correct deficiencies that constitute immediate threats to children's health and safety. This position will report to the Regional Education Manager.  

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Plans, organizes and directs a comprehensive curriculum and activities integrating all required components including basis care, age-appropriate learning opportunities, social service, nutrition and parent involvement and education.  

• Plans and coordinates extracurricular and/or outreach programs as needed.  

• Maintains appropriate records and confers with licensing, health and safety, and social service personnel as required.  

• Develops lesson plans that address the whole child, integrate all service areas into the curriculum, are individualized, and address Head Start Outcomes and USC SECE program goals. 

• Prepares and submits in a timely manner written lesson plans, reports, parent conferences and child and staff evaluations.  

• Reviews and evaluates teachers' lessons plans. 

• Sets priorities and timelines and monitors delivery of childcare program services and activities. 

• Assists with resolution of childcare questions, problems and/or issues as they arise.  

• Trains and mentors teachers and head teachers.  

• Evaluates staff performance and provides feedback. Counsels and offers guidance as needed. 

• Assists with staff scheduling. Schedules and assigns staff breaks and meal periods. 

• Conducts staff meetings and training sessions.  

• Participates in orientation of new staff. 

• Identifies potential improvements and enhancements to program and recommends corresponding changes in procedure