GSRP LEAD TEACHER at St. Joseph County ISD

POSITION GOAL:

Instruct and engage at risk preschool children in preparation for kindergarten consistent with GSRP curriculum.  To create curriculum and activities, actively engage preschoolers, to evaluate and assess preschooler and to engage in home visits.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current Teacher's Certificate with an Early Childhood Education (ZA) endorsement or Early Childhood General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with specialization in Preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major rather than a minor in child development or early childhood education.
2. Applicants may be considered if they have significant training in early childhood education, or child development, OR have 5 or more years of experience as a GSRP Associate Teacher and are willing to meet an approved compliance plan. 
3. Appropriate Endorsements.
4. Preferred qualification: at least 2 semester hours or 3.0 CEUs in child care administration.
5. Yearly CPR/AED and first aid certification.
6. Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s).
7. Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job.
8. Able to lift up to 50 pounds and work at physical level with preschooler.
9. Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ability to use computers, software and other current technology.
2. Effective written communication skills; including parent / family communications and program data and reports.
3. Effective oral communication with children, families and other program staff.
4. Effective organizational skills.
5. Maintain professional atmosphere and demeanor in classroom, acting at all times as a representative of GSRP and/or ISD.
6. Attend and engage in continuous professional development.
7. Implement high quality developmentally appropriate practices as outlined by GSRP Implementation Manual. http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-63533_50451-217313__,00.html.
8. Knowledge of the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten.
9. Ability to work cooperatively as a part of a team, including co-teaching with Associate Teacher, Early Childhood Specialist, Early Childhood Speech Therapist and Early Childhood Support Specialist to coordinate and plan curriculum and activities.
10. Engage in activities with children at their physical level.
11. Create an overall supportive, nurturing, strength based atmosphere.
12. Maintain student confidentiality.
13. Implement High Scope.
14. Implement Conscious Discipline.
15. Perform other duties as assigned by the St. Joseph County ISD Administrators.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervise children during classroom activities and outdoor periods on the playground.
2. Supervise emergency situations (i.e. tornado drills, fire drills, etc.).
3. Monitor safety of children during arrival and departure activities.

4.Supervision of children out of the classroom and/or school building (i.e. community based                                     instruction/leisure, field trips, etc.).

5. Constantly monitor & evaluate the safety of all children.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB:

1. Climb steps and playground equipment as needed.
2. Walk long distances in community-based instruction.
3. Lift and position physically involved children.
4. Change diapers or assist any children in toileting and other self care skills.
5. Assist with maintenance/custodial care of classroom, as needed.
6. Use universal precautions at all times for personal health and safety.

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works with the Associate Teacher on classroom clerical and record keeping duties (i.e. attendance, lunch   count, progress monitoring of child development). 
2. Completes accident and/or incident reports as needed.
3. Works with the Associate Teacher in room preparation.
4. Works with the Associate Teacher with planning the preparation of instructional materials.
5. Attends and provides input at student/staff/team meetings and in-service when required.
6. Leads in communication to parents and bus drivers.
7. Actively seeks advice and information relating to job.
8. Assist with other school related responsibilities as assigned by both the GSRP Program Manager and/or the St. Joseph County ISD administration.

REPORTS TO:    GSRP Program Manager

ASSESSMENT:    GSRP Program Manager

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:   To be determined based on Non-Union Conditions of Employment.  Work schedule: 190 days, 37.5 hours per week Monday –Thursday with children and Friday for other duties including planning, home visits and professional development.