Job Description

Your Career Their Future!

Our employees are our biggest asset, and we intentionally shape their work experience to support growth opportunities that will impact our services. As we continue to evolve, we\xe2\x80\x99re looking for skills, experience, energy, and creativity to support our initiatives. Put simply, this will be both fun and a meaningful journey!

Position Overview:

The Lead Teacher will provide high quality education programs to our community of children and families and work with the Supervisor to implement curriculum based on best practice standards while ensuring that your classroom meets DCYF standards and Head Start education performance standards as well as other standards as appropriate.

Maintains progress notes and electronic data as appropriate on the emotional, physical, social and intellectual development of assigned children.

Responsible for integration of services for families in the classroom, home, center and community. Coordinate and communicate on a regular basis with all staff and consultants providing services regarding the individual needs of each child.

Holds a minimum of three center-based family/staff conferences per academic year.

Actively participates in the preparation of this conference through regular care coordination with family development staff as well as health, nutrition, mental health, and disabilities staff.

Provides home-based services to families as required to meet the needs of the individual families and program guidelines; with a minimum of four home visits occurring each month for a minimum of two home visits to each family occurring throughout the academic year. These visits should occur with the family worker whenever possible.

Makes constructive use of individual and peer supervision on a weekly basis.

Provides training and supervision to the teacher assistant in the classroom. Demonstrate reflective supervision practices and build an environment of guidance and support where teaching assistants are comfortable discussing challenges and areas of growth.

Mentors on site to ensure the implementation of all best practice standards and Head Start performance standards and to apply sound early childhood theory and practice. Model best practice in curriculum and classroom design.

Serves as a peer mentor to newly hired Lead Teachers.

Completes 30 hours of relevant training and on-going professional development in child-development and education related topics, including but not limited to completion of RIELDS 2.

Develops a plan for completion of no less than 24 semester hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education in each of the following areas: child growth and development, curriculum, and methods, reading readiness, health and nutrition, family and community relationships, and service to special needs children.

Provides leadership in ensuring that all individuals are treated respectfully and that diversity in backgrounds and life experiences is supported and valued throughout the agency.

Ability to interact with members of the community representing diverse backgrounds and interests.

Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree, bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree or master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development OR a Bachelor or master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in related field.

• RIDE certification preferred.

• Ability to organize and plan activities, establish warm, supportive relationships, and provide a wide variety of stimulating and developmentally appropriate experiences for children.

• Basic computer skills required for data input and use of email.

• Candidates must have a can-do spirit in regard to flexibility. Incumbents must be flexible and have the ability to move from site to site as directed and needed.

• Must have a valid driver\xe2\x80\x99s license and automobile liability insurance.

Hybrid Eligible:

Given the nature of this role, the Lead Teacher will need to be able to work an onsite and remote work schedule.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of criminal background checks, educational verification, medical, and proof of immunizations.

Children\xe2\x80\x99s Friend offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Medical Dental and Vision coverage

• Employer contributions to the 403(b) plan

• Employer-paid Life and Disability insurance

• Flex Spending Accounts

• 11 Holidays

• Competitive Vacation Benefits

• Training and Professional Development

• Education Assistance

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Our Mission

Children\xe2\x80\x99s Friend is the innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island\xe2\x80\x99s most vulnerable young children.

About Us

Established in 1834, Children\xe2\x80\x99s friend is Rhode Island\xe2\x80\x99s oldest child welfare organization. We are an innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island\xe2\x80\x99s most vulnerable children and families. Our services include Early Head Start, Head Start, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), adoption, foster care, support for families with substance abuse, counseling, assistance for children with developmental delays, and other child welfare and early childhood services.

Children\xe2\x80\x99s Friend is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

At Children\xe2\x80\x99s Friend, diversity and inclusion are foundational to how we operate and are embedded in our Core Values. We recognize that to tap into the richness diversity truly brings, we must lead with inclusion and have a workplace where those differences can thrive and be leveraged to empower the lives of our employees and clients. Therefore, we respect and celebrate our employees\xe2\x80\x99 diverse backgrounds and experiences and provide equal opportunity for all.

We strive for the best candidate experience for all applicants, and if you need special assistance, please let us know.

PI227910021

Children\'s Friend