Lead Teacher

Working in collaboration with the Assistant Teachers within an assigned classroom, the Lead Teacher will be primarily responsible for managing the classroom.

1. Establish a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment for the children.
2. Meet basic physical and emotional needs of assigned group of children.
3. Plan activities for the children in accordance with the State & Pre-School Expansion Program requirements to promote their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development.
4. Implementation and evaluation of planned activities; prepare and submit required reports for the Pre-School Expansion Program, The Salvation Army, GROW, etc.
5. Interact with children during planned activities and child-directed activities (free play, outside/gym time, etc.).
6. Alert the children to the world around them; encourage talking and listening, discussions about the weather, the season, the outdoors, insects, etc.
7. Supervise daily routines such as:
   1. Bathroom
   2. Meal set-up/clean-up
   3. Cleaning hands and faces after eating (including COVID-19 cleaning & safety protocols)
   4. Nap set-up/clean-up
8. Encourage children to be independent by having them do things for themselves and clean-up after themselves.
9. Encourage children to share and take turns.
10. Responsible for positive guidance techniques which foster the child’s ability to be self-disciplined.
11. Encourage children to vent frustrations or hostilities without hurting others.
12. Evaluate children’s development growth on a regular basis.
13. Notify Director or Assistant and fill out appropriate forms when child has an accident, exhibits unusual behavior, or display signs of illness.
14. Notify Director or Assistant if a child shows any signs of abuse or neglect.
15. The timely updating of bulletin boards within your classroom or their assigned members.
16. Positive in relationships with others: cooperative interaction with other staff members.
17. Ensure that staff within your assigned room follows center & Pre-School Expansion Program policies and procedures.
18. Notify Director or Assistant Director of any staff problems within your classroom.
19. Maintain consistent communication with parents, as directed by Director and Pre-School Expansion Program guidelines.
20. Communicate updates on children’s development, family dynamics/situations, and staff interactions in writing to the Director in a timely manner, as incidents occur.
21. Give assistance to Director or Assistant Director in maintaining current and accurate records.
22. Work together with Assistant to ensure that daily schedules, physical environment, and sequence of activities are conducive to optimal growth and development of individual children.

1. Must have a bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field AND a NJ P-3 teaching certificate, CE/CEAS/Standard, or other equivalent pre-school certification, as recognized by the Department of Education.
2. Experience in a Day Care Center/Public school/Private school preferred.
3. Must be willing to comply with all COVID-19 safety & hygiene protocols.
4. Must be computer proficient, preferably with prior experience creating online lesson plans and teaching online. If no prior experience, must be willing to be trained on new technology.
5. Must have the knowledge, skill, temperament, and aptitude to work with young children and perform the tasks required for this position.
6. Must have evidence of good physical health including a Mantoux test, and emotional maturity and stability as required by State and Pre-School Expansion Program regulations.