Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Early Learning Academy (ELA) Teacher

Reports to: Head of School

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1946, Kingswood Community Center, Inc. (KCC) sits in the heart of the Riverside Community located in Northeast Wilmington. KCC's mission is to enable people in Northeast Wilmington and surrounding communities to achieve their potential for economic, social, and personal well-being. KCC offers programs for the youngest and oldest alike, as it includes an early learning center for 12 months to 5 years of age, before and aftercare, after school programming for school age and teens, and a senior center for the elders in the community. In addition to programming, KCC provides resources, opportunities, and events to all ages.

Position Summary

The ELA Teacher is responsible for the planning and implementation of age-appropriate high-quality learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and the use of assessment. The ELA Teacher provides a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment where children have the opportunity to develop cognitive, social, emotional, self-care and physical skills. This position utilizes superior classroom management skills while providing effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions and promoting individual child development. The ELA Teacher also builds partnerships with families to assist them in identifying goals, strengths, needed services, and support systems.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. These essential functions are performed on a frequent and recurring basis by an incumbent and including but not limited to:

• Ensure the implementation of high-quality early childhood curricula and activities, following national best practices and standards in early childhood education. Prepare weekly lesson plans within the framework of the Creative Curriculum and following Head Start standards
• Plan and provide learning opportunities to children which support growth in the areas of cognition, early literacy and language, social development, play skills, fine and gross motor development, fine arts, adaptive/self-care skills, health, and nutrition
• Implement a developmentally appropriate and ongoing assessment of student progress. Assessments are conducted bi-weekly via Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making
• Work with the Director of Early Learning and support services staff in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children and meets the needs specified on the Individualized Learning Program (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
• Communicate with parents and families on a regular basis via home visits, parent conferences, written materials, and informal personal and telephone contacts. Actively seek to involve parents and families in the educational process and development of their children
• Work with parents and families to set goals for each child. Monitor children’s progress towards goals and communicate with parents, families, and staff
• Use appropriate guidance strategies to help children learn socially acceptable behavior, self-regulation skills, and how to express emotions in a constructive manner. Serve as a role model to participants in your attitude and behavior
• Maintain a clean, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including the organization of space, storage of supplies and materials, and sanitation of equipment
• With supervisor’s guidance, may provide leadership and direction to Teaching Assistants and Classroom Aide(s), practicum students, and parents; may provide leadership in a co-teaching system
• Maintain complete and accurate required family/child files, forms, and records within required timelines to document and track children in assigned classroom
• Maintain compliance with agency policies and standards, legislative regulations (e.g., licensing, Delaware STARS, accidents, incidents, and disciplinary actions) and compliance with contractual requirements
• Collaborate with support services staff and program partners to ensure that the needs of each child are met.
• Analyze information and maintain complete, organized, and accurate documentation (including email communication). Prepare and submit timely reports and other documentation
• Maintain an active understanding of agency programs in order to increase opportunities for support and collaboration
• Practice continuous learning through individual study, classroom training, accredited early childhood development courses, seminars, and conferences. Work with the Director of Early Learning to develop and implement a Professional Development Plan
• Attend regular staff meetings and supervisory meetings as scheduled

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Competencies

Candidate must have the ability to:

• Effectively utilize applicable technology and programs (i.e., Microsoft Office suite and databases, parent communication system, Teaching Strategies Gold app)
• Communicate and present effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail and effective time management skills
• Be a team player, adapt to change, and demonstrate flexibility
• Demonstrate excellent judgment, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to achieve goals and objectives
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Be culturally sensitive
• Maintain accurate reports
• Be pro-active regarding job responsibilities
• Maintain confidentiality

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibility

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, and general hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; however, hours/days may vary based on business necessity.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Child Development Associate’s degree (CDA); Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred. Must have coursework with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• At least one year of teaching experience at an early childhood program. Head Start teaching experience preferred.

Certification Requirements

• First Aid/CPR preferred; must be certified within first 30 days of hire
• Certification through Delaware First as an Early Learning Teacher preferred; must be certified within first 60 days of hire

Conditions of Hire

• A satisfactory criminal background and reference check, state fingerprinting, child abuse/neglect registry check, and sex offender registry check required at time of appointment and throughout employment in this position
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Due to Head Start requirements, teachers must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
Kingswood Community Center is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,500.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

COVID-19 considerations:
We follow the current CDC guidelines.

Work Location: One location

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