The Goddard School offers:
· Competitive compensation
· Paid time off, including holidays.
· Financial support for CDA program with no out-of-pocket expenses incurred for full-time employees.
· Ongoing Professional development
· Participation in Profit Sharing Plan (employees working 1,000+ hours per year)
As a Lead Teacher at The Goddard School® in Avon, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment for your students while working with an Assistant Teacher and in conjunction with the entire faculty.
We are growing and looking for experienced, honest, and reliable candidates who have a desire to grow with us and make a positive impact on the smallest members of our community. If you have a passion for working with children, have what it takes to lead a class of toddlers or preschoolers in one of the top childcare centers in the country, and have the required credentials noted below, we’d like to talk to you!
A lead teacher must meet the qualifications of his/her state and the following qualifications:
- The ability to understand and support the education program using “learning through play” philosophy.
- The ability to interact closely with children at their level.
- The ability to always keep children within sight and sound supervision.
- The ability to change children’s diapers and/or assist in toileting (where necessary)
- The ability to understand and comply with the franchisee’s employment policies.
- The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with school personnel, children, and parents.
- The ability to handle crisis situations, including assisting in evacuating the building during emergencies.
- The ability to comply in all respects with all applicable laws and regulations relating to childcare.
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 current CDA or Early childhood Teaching Credential (or willingness to obtain CDA, which The Goddard School will pay for)
- 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 degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field.
- An associate degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
- Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.
- Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited associate 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 The Goddard School® emergency procedure(s)
- Promote healthy eating practices at lunch and snack times.
- Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements.
- Perform minor cleaning responsibilities (e.g., spills) immediately. Perform major cleaning during times when children are not present.
- Post a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes routine and learning opportunities.
- Post and adhere to all GSI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
- 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 activities to engage children in learning.
- Interact 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 for children to learn about books, literature, and writing.
- Encourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play, and blocks.
- Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities.
- Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play.
- Integrate GSI-approved resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plans.
- Support each child’s social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.
- Understand and adhere to the GSI 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
- 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 for each child.
- Maintain the classroom Parent Board
- Ensure an effective program, responsive to children’s needs.
- Assess supplies and materials needed to implement activities.
- Build teamwork.
- Develop 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)
- Maintain professional commitment.
- Promote “learning through play” philosophy and educational objectives.
- Support a code of ethical conduct.
- Pursue professional development/continuing education.
- Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences, and professional growth opportunities.
