OverviewA Lead Teacher at The Goddard School is responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment. Additionally a Lead Teacher is responsible to work together with an Assistant Teacher and in conjunction with the entire faculty.General QualificationsA Lead Teacher must meet the qualifications of his/her state and those set forth in the National Standards for hiring (see including the following:Ability to hear the conversational voice, with or without a hearing aidAbility to see and read newsprint, with or without corrective lensesAbility to speak and be understood under normal circumstancesAbility to use arms, hands, legs, and feet, with or without corrective devices; this includes the ability to evacuate the building during emergenciesAbility to handle crisis situations, especially where children are involvedAbility to respond immediately to emergency situationsLead Teacher educational requirements are the same as Director educational requirements (see Director educational requirements or one of several other criteria listed below)Educational QualificationsAll 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 Bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development.A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.An Associate's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or a related field1.An Associate's degree or higher in a related field1, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.A current CDA or Early Childhood Teaching Credential.Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited Associate's or Bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related field.RN or LPN with emphasis on the young child including at least one class in Child Development or Human Growth Development (For Infant, Toddler, Get Set only).Lead Teacher ResponsibilitiesA Lead Teacher's responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:Establish and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environmentDesign an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroomDevelop an appropriate classroom management system to support the goals and developmental level of the children in the classroomEnsure that classroom equipment is in good repairUnderstand and implement The Goddard School® emergency procedure(s)Promote healthy eating practices at lunch and snack timesEnsure that children are always within state ratio requirementsPerform nominal cleaning responsibilities (eg, spills) immediatelyPerform major cleaning during times when children are not presentPost a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes a routine and learning opportunitiesPost and adhere to all GSI Health and Safety policies and proceduresAdvance children's physical and intellectual competenceAdapt program to meet the individual needs of each childCreate a multi-cultural learning environmentProvide a variety of developmentally appropriate materialsInteract with the children to support play, exploration and learningEncourage children to talk with each other and with the facultyPresent age- and developmentally-appropriate expectations for all childrenCreate a print-rich environment in order for children to learn about books, literature and writingEncourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play and blocksProvide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activitiesProvide opportunities for both active and quiet playIntegrate GSI resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson plansSupport each child's social and emotional development and provide positive guidanceUnderstand and adhere to the GSI Behavior PolicyPlan and implement activities to develop children's self-esteem and social skillsPlan and implement activities to enable children's feeling of securityEncourage empathetic and respectful feelings for others, as well as the environment, through positive modelingRespect cultural and ethnic diversityEstablish positive and effective family relationsCommunicate, in a professional manner, with families and facultyEncourage families to become an integral part of their children's learning experiencesProvide opportunities (e.g., conferences) in which families are made to feel a part of their children's learning experiencesPrepare a Daily Activity Report for each childMaintain a portfolio for each childMaintain the classroom Parent BoardEnsure an effective program, responsive to children's needsAssess supplies and materials needed to implement activitiesBuild teamworkDevelop lesson plan books and posted lesson plansManage classrooms according to GSI QA StandardsPerform child observations and document in their portfoliosUse assessment tools (eg, Progress Reports, Children's Progress)Maintain professional commitmentPromote GSI philosophy and educational objectivesSupport a code of ethical conductPursue professional development/continuing educationAttend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth opportunitiesFOREIGN DEGREESAll foreign degrees MUST be converted to U.S. credits.All foreign courses and/or credit hours must be converted to U.S. standards.Related Degrees Include, But May Not Be Limited ToElementary EducationHome EconomicsChild DevelopmentChild LifePsychology or Sociology with a minor in EducationSpecial EducationChild PsychologyRelevant CourseworkChild DevelopmentHuman Growth and DevelopmentEducational PsychologyChild PsychologyMethods: Age Birth to 8 yearsChildren's LiteratureDevelopmental Assessment of Young ChildrenMeasurement and EvaluationNutritionHealth and SafetyChild Care AdministrationStudent Teaching: Kindergarten; 1st Grade; 2nd Grade
