Lead Teacher - Widener Child Development Center

Widener University is currently seeking a lead teacher for the Widener Child Development Center. Reporting to the Director of the WCDC, Alicia Vaux, the lead teacher is responsible for the planning and implementation of high-quality instruction as well as the supervision and management of children and the assistant teacher in the room.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Essential duties:

• Read and be accountable for WCDC policies, Department of Human Services regulations (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), and Quality Rating System Standards (Keystone Stars)
• Plan and facilitate the approved classroom curriculum to ensure engaging, age appropriate lessons are offered to students
• Provide positive reinforcement to students and model problem solving behavior and good communication skills. Treat all children with dignity and respect to allow for individual differences.
• Supervise all individuals in the room, including assistant teacher and Widener University students, to ensure appropriate and respectful student-teacher interactions.
• Work cooperatively with the assistant teacher to ensure he/she takes an active role in implementing and participating in all activities
• Collaborate with Widener University field placement students within a classroom setting, assign roles, and provide direction as to which activities to lead, which students to interact with, etc.
• Maintain required ratio and total awareness of children’s safety at all times; actively supervise and manage students at all times.
• Facilitate and maintain an environment that is safe, inviting, interesting, and stimulating for students.
• Maintain accurate records, including but not limited to, classroom attendance, illness and injury, and absences.
• Be accountable for leading classroom staff in emergency policies and procedures (Fire drill, weather drills, lockdown).
• Cultivate and maintain positive parent-teacher relationships; communicate with families on a daily basis via Brightwheel daily reports. Acknowledge all parents, students, and visitors when entering and exiting the building each day.
• Take initiative in communicating with individual families via email or phone regarding any concerns or behaviors specific to individual students.
• Maintain written documentation and anecdotal notes of student progress to share with families during conferences twice a year; input data into online assessment platform Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Be proactive in attending and renewing all trainings according to licensing requirements, including, but not limited to 12 hours of childcare related trainings annually as required by DHS and Keystone STARS
• Be proactive in managing challenging behaviors by implementing strategies and accommodations specific to individual students- sticker charts, behavior charts, visuals, etc.
• Maintain documentation; ABC charts, anecdotal records, and additional; documentation as needed to address challenging behaviors
• With director support, maintain communication with individual student’s IEP teams; collaborate with assigned therapists and special instructors, attend IEP meetings to implement accommodations and differentiations 

Secondary responsibilities:

• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Must be able to interpret and apply oral and written instruction.
• Ability to work collaboratively and exchange information with other staff and individuals from different departments on campus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be energetic and enthusiastic
• Must be self-motivated, patient, and flexible.
• Ability to work well and relate to students of all backgrounds.
• Ability to plan and organize work independently

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or the human services field. In addition, 2 years of experience within the childcare field.
• Proficient use of computers, internet, and software programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Current PA State Criminal History Report (DHS) Department of Human Services.
• Current FBI Criminal History Report (DHS) Department of Human Services.
• Current PA Child Abuse History Clearance (DHS) Department of Human Services.
• Must have current Annual Physical Exam and Manitou TB Test

To be completed after hire:

• Child Abuse and Mandated Reporter training, (Act31 and Act 126)
• New Staff Orientation Better Kid Care (10 hours),