Lead Teacher-11-145-SC/Tustin Ranch

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary

The main objective of the lead teacher will be to assist and/or fill role of Preschool Director and Children's Ministry leader in their absence as well as act as liaison to help support staff members as needed.

Essential Functions

Ensure the day-to-day operations of the Creator's Corner preschool and Henley Youth program that include:

• Assist where needed Community Care licensing arrives on campus. This would include reviewing files, maintaining compliance, and collaborating with a Licensing analyst to help with any questions or needs they may have while on campus.
• Support and schedule staff for lunches and breaks in the Director's absence.
• Collaborate with Directors for Professional growth opportunities as needed.
• Assist with staff meetings
• Assist in parent's meetings as needed.
• Assist in the hiring of new staff as needed.
• Answer phone calls and help with front office duties as needed.
• Flexible working hours to include opening and closing as needed.
• The on-duty teacher must always have visual supervision of the children in her care. Under no circumstances should the children ever be left unattended or unsupervised.
• Be on duty as assigned, always maintaining focus on the children.
• Practice "Active Visual Supervision" when on duty.
• Ensure that each child is released only to persons who are "authorized escorts".
• Always maintain a healthy & safe environment both inside & outside.
• For break or lunch, ensure a qualified teacher is in place before leaving the classroom or playground to maintain legal ratio.
• Work cooperatively with other staff to build a strong working team.
• Demonstrate high quality creative teaching skills including age-appropriate planning, goal setting, assessment, positive classroom management techniques, teacher-made materials, & implementation of the Christian preschool curriculum.
• Develop & implement age-appropriate daily plans for classroom & playground activities related to the weekly curriculum theme.
• Plan & implement age-appropriate classroom "Bible truth time" related to the weekly theme daily.
• Capably plan & lead age-appropriate chapel on a rotating basis.
• Develop appropriate age-short & long-term goals for each student in the class.
• Maintain records on each child in the classroom.
• Perform assessments on each child's progress twice a year.
• Be available to parents as needed & reasonable.
• Maintain confidentiality of family, staff & proprietary information.
• Communicate all supply & educational needs to the Director in a timely manner.
• Maintain a clean, organized, creative, inviting, age-appropriate classroom environment including centers in multiple educational subjects.
• Pleasantly greet children & families upon daily arrival or departure, while maintaining active supervision of children.
• Develop & maintain warm, yet professionally appropriate, relationships with client/student families.
• Continue professional growth through staff in-service, college courses, conferences, & other developmental opportunities, including completing three (3) ECE units or attending 2 all-day workshops every 2 years. Must provide certificate of completion.
• Administer appropriate First Aid as needed, using universal & standard precautions.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings & school special events.
• Follow guidelines set in CCP/HYC Staff Procedures Handbook, & policies of CA Title 22, & The Salvation Army Policy for Working with Minors.
• Other duties may be assigned by the Preschool Director or Children's Ministries Director.

PAY RATE: $20.00-$26.00/hr.

Working Conditions

Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist demonstrating full range of motion on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to operate computer, laminator, "Cricut", copier, fax and telephone. Ability to lift children, boxes, or equipment up to 40 lbs.

Competencies

Communication- Listen actively and express ideas effectively and clearly with Administration, co-workers and families. Organize and deliver information to families appropriately utilizing tools such as Brightwheel, email and in person conversations. Write and speak concisely and with accuracy.

Initiative- Proactive in seeking solutions and overcoming challenges. Initiates action without direction from others. Generates ideas and takes advantage of opportunities to suggest innovations.

Teamwork-Interacts with Supervisors, co-workers and families effectively. Encourages and respects the input of others. Cooperates within the group and supports common goals while fulfilling individual responsibilities.

Job Knowledge- Has a good understanding of Salvation Army mission and values. Demonstrates strong grasp of Policies and regulations regarding Licensing and the state of California teaching standards. Shows willingness to learn and improve.

Flexibility- Adapt and respond to the changing environment quickly and calmly. Respond and deal with unexpected situations in the work environments in and efficient and effective manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Twenty-Four (24) units in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development, 3 administrative units preferred.
• Associate or bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Current or previous experience as a staff member in The Salvation Army Tustin Youth Center for a minimum of 3 Years.
• Provide & maintain documentation of current Pediatric First Aid & CPR training (preferred).
• Must be able to pass a state-required physician's report & tuberculosis test.
• Must clear Child Abuse Index & fingerprint clearance with FBI & Dept of Justice without a "waiver" from Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing.
• If working in the vicinity of children a criminal background check is required with certification for Protect the Mission policies & procedures.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Sensitive to the cognitive, emotional, physical, spiritual, & social needs of children.
• Able to successfully organize, plan, implement, & evaluate early childhood curriculum in a Christian school.
• Able to successfully complete assigned duties in a timely manner.
• Able to clearly & effectively communicate in English both verbally & in writing with both children & adults.
• Demonstrate a genuine nurturing attitude when interacting with children.
• Be professional, punctual, dependable, & responsible.
• Able to function in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment.
• Creative & diligently paying attention to detail & quality.
• Able to work flexible hours including occasional weekends & evenings.
• Must possess positive & efficient customer service skills.
• As mandated, report suspected child abuse and/or assist in the reporting of suspected child abuse/ and or neglect

Provide & maintain documentation of current Pediatric First Aid & CPR training (preferred). (preferred)
Associate or bachelor's Degree preferred. (preferred)
Minimum Twenty-Four (24) units in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development, 3 administrative units preferred. (preferred)