Early Childhood Center Lead Teacher

About You
You enjoy creating a supportive and joyful learning environment for children and their families, treating each child with dignity and respect and considering each child’s individual needs. You are reliable and committed to the values of our educational philosophy, enjoying the flexibility each day provides in a play-based learning environment. You are able to adapt to program or schedule changes and willing to doing different tasks as needed, ensuring smooth transitions for students and a seamless classroom experience. You take the responsibility of caring for young children seriously, maintaining a high level of professionalism in your interactions with students, their families and your colleagues. You are a learner yourself, excited to expand your skills, and responsive to feedback from the Director to grow and improve. You are open to and embrace working in a Jewish setting where traditions and holidays are celebrated.

Essential Responsibilities:
To establish and maintain a safe, healthy and orderly learning environment

Designs thoughtful and appropriate room arrangement and decor
Ensures the required teacher/student ratio is maintained at all times
Manages emergency supplies (medications, first aid, and emergency forms), walkie-talkies, room keys and other safety items

To advance physical and intellectual competence

Creates a range of activities and a balance between child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities
Uses equipment for indoor and outdoor play that promotes children’s physical development
Provides an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children
Plans and implements experiences that promote language and literacy development through play
Plans and implements Judaic and Israel curriculum

To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance

Provides a range of creative and expressive activities that develop self-esteem and social skills
Uses positive guidance techniques and establishes routines with smooth transitions
Encourages children to be independent, think creatively, solve problems, and to respect themselves and others

To establish positive, productive and professional relationships with families

Relates information to parents and offers support for dealing with children at different developmental stages
Promotes communication with parents through conferences, emails, and phone calls
Invites parents to participate in the program in a variety of ways

To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs

Supervises and evaluates assistant teachers working in the classroom
Maintains records as required by the school (attendance records, accident reports, etc.)
Informally assesses children’s needs and developmental progress on an ongoing basis
Communicates regularly with Director and Education Specialist about classroom management and issues that arise

To maintain a commitment to professionalism

Promotes the school philosophy and educational objectives
Participates in faculty meetings, workshops, and professional development provided by school
Maintains strict confidentiality concerning children and their families.
Communicates professionally in person and in writing, with both parents and colleagues
Other duties may be assigned by the ECC Director on an as-needed basis.

Other Required Qualifications
Must fulfill the minimum requirements put forth by the Department of Social Services of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be a program leader 6 months of supervised classroom time, or one-year early childhood certification that consists of 30 hours, or a teaching diploma
Must be comfortable with technology including Microsoft Word, and email
Must understand and be comfortable teaching about Israel, Jewish holidays, and Jewish culture

Personal Qualities

Must be physically able to stand for extended periods of time
Must be able to engage fully with children in a range of activities: walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and sitting on the floor

Education and Experience

High school diploma required
CDA, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (preferred)
Experience working with children
Must be willing to complete a 90-hour Child Care Certification within 2 years of hire if degree is needed