Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Education Center

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of 12month Lead Teacher within the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). The Lead Teacher is the educational leader in the classroom and will ensure that the curriculum is implemented in a way that maximizes student learning experiences in an inclusive setting. The teacher is responsible for the growth and development of all early childhood students within his/her classroom the learning environment support staff such as assistant teachers student workers and undergraduate students who are conducting research observing or completing preservice teaching field experiences.

A primary focus for this role is providing instruction to students who are typically and atypically developing while enabling them to access and progress towards their highest potential. The Lead Teacher will advocate for students with developmental delays identified disabilities or special needs in the classroom in meetings and in the community. Working collaboratively with a team of educational professionals the Lead Teacher will demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and vision of the School of Education the ECEC and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and Program Standards. The Lead Teacher reports directly to the Director of the Early Childhood Education Center. This position will also serve as Cochair in coordinating various camp programming for the ECEC such as but not limited to Summer and Winter Camps on an annual basis.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement:

Nevada State University a fouryear Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI) Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

A majority of our students are first generation racial/ethnic minorities parents and/or returning students of which 45% are Hispanic 12% are Asian/Pacific Islander 11% are Black/African American 25% are White and 7% are multiracial.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students staff and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically fully engage and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University the surrounding communities and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community.

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Primary Responsibilities:

Instructional Practices & Pedagogy

• Shows enthusiasm for working with young children specifically ages 35.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the curriculum subject content pedagogical knowledge that correlates to the ECECs mission vision philosophy and procedures.
• Differentiates instruction to meet all students needs in all areas of child development paying specific attention to social and emotional learning as well as language literacy and communication.
• Structures lessons that encourage risktaking in learning and model a Growth Mindset.
• Utilizes effective researchbased datadriven instructional practices that supports high levels of learning through the use of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP).
• Utilizes observational diagnostic formative and summative assessments to provide timely and accurate feedback to students administration and families as well as to inform instructional practices.
• Uses appropriate techniques to encourage active participation in decisionmaking regarding such things as classroom guidance organization and topics of study which communicate a caring attitude trust of students and value in student voices.
• Develops and maintains long range and daily instructional plans that maximizes instructional time.
• Maintains records for items such as student attendance evaluations progress reports IEPs and documents required by the Coordinator and Director of the ECEC using prescribed formats in an accurate and timely manner.
• Has a passion for teaching with and about kindness equality social justice and cultural competency beginning in the early and formative years.

Leadership & Ethical Responsibilities

• Upholds NAEYCs Program Standards and Code of Ethics.
• Listens and responds with cultural awareness empathy and understanding to children families and community members promoting mutual respect.
• Adheres to the Silver State Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) maintaining Clark County Child Care Licensing regulations and the Southern Nevada Health Department regulations for compliance. Completes annually all Child Care Licensing required training hours/certificates and keeps current standing with The Nevada Registry.
• Maintains professional demeanor including appearance punctuality attendance and contributes to an overall positive work environment through problem solving cooperative negotiating skills and conflict resolution strategies.
• Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with leaders administration assistant teaching staff Nevada State University and SOE faculty and staff and other stakeholders to promote and support the vision mission and goals of the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and Nevada State University.
• Supervises and supports Lead Teachers Assistant teaching staff Undergraduate Student Interns (USI) and all Nevada State University preservice students from varying educational and experiential backgrounds using coaching and mentoring techniques.
• Works in collaboration with undergraduate and graduate program faculty leaders to assist students in their growth by providing timely and effective feedback.
• Participates in student and family conferences committee work community events departmental meetings professional development and learning opportunities staff meetings IEP meetings and other meetings as specified by the Coordinator and the Director.
• Performs other duties that may be assigned by the Director of Early Childhood Education and/or the Early Childhood Coordinator.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop kneel crouch or employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 65 pounds.
• The Lead Teacher of an early childhood classroom is a physically active position.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Special Education Special Education or related field (such as Elementary Education or Child Development).
• Must have experience working with children with special needs documented disabilities or developmental delays.
• At least three (3) years of fulltime teaching experience in an early childhood classroom.
• Experience teaching in an inclusive setting.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employmentrelated visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Special Education or Special Education or related field.
• Certification/License in Early Childhood Education Special Education (P12) Birth to Eight Years of Age with Developmental Delays or Early Childhood Special Education.
• Knowledge of characteristics and extensive experience working with children with special needs documented disabilities or developmental delays.
• Experience teaching in a NAEYC accredited center and familiarity with the accreditation process.
• Bilingual candidates Spanish speaking preferred.
• Experience with both IFSPs and IEPs.
• Ability to navigate referral and assessment processes for young children in need of services relating to possible developmental delays or disabilities including Child Find speech language pathology (SLP) therapy occupational therapy (OT) physical therapy (PT) or psychoeducational (neuropsychological) services.
• Experience advocating for young children.
• Experience teaching in higher education or the desire to mentor preservice teachers and/or undergraduate students in an educational setting.
• Experience serving and building trusting relationships with diverse families from various socioeconomic linguistic and cultural backgrounds while embracing family involvement and collaboration within the classroom and school community.

Please note: Please reference any of these preferred qualifications you possess in your candidacy materials.

General Staff Requirements:

All Faculty and Staff of the ECEC will be required to maintain the general staff requirements listed below. We will work with all employees of the ECEC to obtain these requirements prior to the first day of school or annually as they are required.

• Meeting all Child Care Licensing (CCL) annual requirements for child care workers in the state of Nevada. The following items may require periodic renewals as defined by child care regulations and these regulations are subject to change according to CCL. Items are listed and requirements updated by CCL periodically. As a licensed center all ECEC employees must be incompliance in order to maintain employment.
• Completion of all required FBI background checks.
• Written evidence of a negative report of a tuberculosis (TB) test or chest xray taken prior to employment.
• Meeting CCL required initial and annual trainings including but not limited to:
  • Certification in adult/ child/ infant CPR/First Aid/ AED within 90 days of employment and every two years after initial certification.
  • Written evidence of training on Identifying Child Abuse & Neglect (renewed every 5 years) and Recognizing & Reporting Procedures.
  • Written evidence of an initial courses in Human Growth & Development or Positive Guidance Administration of Medication Building and Physical Premises Safety Emergency Preparedness Transportation Childhood Wellness and Symptoms of Illness
  • Must complete Universal Precautions training session within the six weeks of employment start date.
  • Must complete a minimum of 24 hours of training annually in childcare in addition to health and wellness training and related subjects approved by the Bureau of Services for Child Care.
• Must have no pending criminal action or felony conviction of child abuse or neglect or any crime involving physical harm to a person; or felony regarding any controlled substance or alcohol related charge according to current state law.

Rank Salary & Benefits:

Budgeted salary for this position is $55000. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits including 17.50% retirement match 24 annual leave days beginning balance of 30 sick leave days 12 paid holidays educational benefits and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will remain open until the filled with the first review of applications to begin on Wednesday June 4 2025. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply before June 4 for full consideration.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE UNLV UNR NSU CSN TMCC WNC GBC or DRI) MUST use the Browse Jobs process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday type Browse Jobs in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform jobrelated tasks.

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University