Lead Teacher - Early Childhood Education Center

WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL VOAC recognizes the unique needs of the older adult who needs a wheelchair ramp to stay at home safely and the preschooler whose family needs additional resources. VOAC supports veterans efforts to exit homelessness as well as provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence. Wherever VOAC goes it combines relationship-building volunteers and quality services to lift and support our neighbors efforts to become self-sufficient and reach their full potential.

* The Lead Teacher position has a unique schedule! The shift is Monday through Friday 7:30am 4:00pm. Children attend school Monday through Thursday from 8am - 3:30pm and Friday is a designated teacher planning and meeting day.

SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning organizing implementation and delivery of the preschool program (ages 3-5) based on the individual and groups educational intellectual physical social and emotional potential of the children enrolled utilizing an ecological model that focuses on the child and family. Service modalities include Trauma Informed Care Conscious Discipline Motivational Interviewing utilizing the domains of CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG). Job Duties include the responsibility for working alongside the Teacher Associate Teacher Assistant and Foster Grandparents in managing the classrooms physical and educational environment partnering with families to support whole child development collaborating with all team members and partners to consistently improve individual team and childrens learning outcomes preparing and maintaining documentation in compliance with federal state and agency performance standards creating a positive classroom climate to benefit the social-emotional and academic development of students and welcomes families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensures that the familys voice is heard and their ideas play a prominent role in programming.

Plans and implements high-quality trauma-informed large group and individualized lessons that align with Head Start CLASS and TSG performance standards.

Organizes classroom environment to support top ECERS-R (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised) and CLASS ratings and creates a welcoming and warm environment for all students and their families.

Utilizes lessons and studies from the Creative Curriculum and Conscience Discipline to guide childrens education.

Engages in consistent data gathering documentation assessment and analysis of students performance. Plans lessons to support growth in all areas. Maintains a portfolio of childrens growth and assessments using the Teachings Strategies GOLD platform.

In conjunction with the Teacher Associate conducts two Home Visits and at least two conferences with families in order to build relationships and helps guardians learn they are always the childs first teacher.

Ensures that children with disabilities are identified early and served in an inclusive environment.

Discusses childrens ongoing development in collaboration with the Education Coordinator School Nurse Mental Health and Developmental consultants. Provides thorough documentation when referrals are made for students in need of further evaluation.

Maintains accurate records of students daily and hourly attendance and Meal Counts.

Aides in the organization and maintenance of the classroom kitchen and other school-related materials.

Creates and maintains a predictable schedule and routine for the classroom including arriving to work on time and refraining from frequent absences.

Regularly maintains classrooms sanitization practices in accordance to licensing and best practices.

Attends orientations trainings education programs staff meetings community meetings conferences and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position. May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.

Completes a minimum of 15 credit hours of continued education per licensing requirements.

Performs all duties in a professional manner adhering to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Code of Ethics and maintaining confidentiality of all information.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include AIRS (Accountability Integrity Respect and Service).

Models and VOACOs three critical virtues of HHS (Hungry Humble People Smart).

Colorado Early Childhood Licensing requirements

Head Start Performance Standards

Teaching Strategies GOLD

CLASS

ECERS-R

CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)

CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program)

Ensures equitable and inclusive services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education or closely related field; or Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or closely related field and 2 years of related experience with verifiable hours of eligibility letter.

Two years of teaching in a classroom environment with verified hours of eligibility letter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

Experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Previous Lead Teacher Experience

Experience with Teaching Strategies GOLD CLASS ECERS-R Trauma-Informed care and Creative Curriculum.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and through writing to families coworkers consultants volunteers and community partners.

Good organizational skills.

Basic computer and tablet skills to input data and documentation.

Knowledge about human development.

Ability to use standard classroom office technology: I-Pad copier computer.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Teaching Early Childhood is a physically demanding job with frequent standing walking squatting bending sitting on the floor and in small chairs running lifting and reaching.

Physical demands require constant movement for up to 6 hours daily.

The classroom environment or outside and gym play can get noisy.

Teachers must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Ability to respond quickly and appropriately during emergency situations.

Ability to work indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions.

Emotional/mental stability and ability to auditorily and visually supervise students in care.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Full Time: Monday through Friday: 8am to 4:30pm or 7am to 3:30pm or 9am to 6pm. (Occasional weekends: Saturdays).

LOCATION

321 S. Yates St. Denver CO 80219

PAY RANGE

$22.45/hr. - $24.00/hr.

Benefit eligibility is based on job type/status

Vacation Time

Separate Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays

Personal Days

Volunteer/Wellness Day

Tuition Assistance

Pension Plan

403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

Health Dental Vision Pet Insurances

Life Insurance

Accident Insurance

Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program

Employee Discount Program

LifeLock with Norton

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO Employer

Position will Remain Open Until Filled

VISA Sponsorship is not offered for this role

Veterans Strongly Encouraged to Apply

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role please contact to begin the Interactive Process.