Lead Teacher

Goddard School Teachers play an active role in each child’s education and development, setting the stage for a fun, engaging learning environment. These enthusiastic, creative educators design unique, personalized lesson plans to captivate your child.

The faculty looks for learning opportunities that correspond with the children’s natural interests. If the teachers have planned a lesson on the solar system but the children are fascinated by the rain falling outside, they change the subject of the lesson to focus on the weather. The teachers can also customize the lessons to meet the individual needs of each child.

Goddard Schools provide a teacher-to-child ratio that allows all the children to receive the individualized attention they need to grow and learn at a comfortable pace.

The Goddard School uses the most current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life. Our talented teachers also collaborate with parents to nurture children into respectful, confident and joyful learners.

A lead teacher must meet the qualifications of his/her state and the following qualifications:
· The ability to understand and support the education program using “learning through
play” philosophy;
· The ability to interact closely with children at their level;
· The ability to keep children within sight and sound supervision at all times;
· The ability to change children’s diapers and/or assist in toileting (where necessary);
· The ability to understand and comply with the franchisee’s employment policies;
· The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with school personnel, children
and parents;
· The ability to handle crisis situations, including assisting in evacuating the building
during emergencies; and
· The ability to comply in all respects with all applicable laws and regulations relating to
childcare.
An offer of employment may be made contingent on the following:
· A current physical examination by a physician
· An approved criminal record check as required by state regulations.

Educational Qualifications

All candidates who wish to be considered for the position of lead teacher must meet one or more of the following criteria, in addition to any/all requirements that may be mandated by their state and/or local licensing authorities:
· A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child
Development.
· A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of completed
coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
· An Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education,
Child Development or a related field.
· An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of
completed coursework related to young children birth to age 8.
· A current CDA or Early Childhood Teaching Credential.
· Proof of current and active enrollment in a CDA Credentialing Program.
· Proof of current and active enrollment in an accredited Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
program in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

Lead Teacher Responsibilities

A lead teacher’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Establish and maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment
· Design an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level
of the children in the classroom
· Develop an appropriate classroom management system to support the goals and
developmental level of the children in the classroom
· Ensure that classroom equipment is in good repair
· Understand and implement The Goddard School® emergency procedure(s)
· Promote healthy eating practices at lunch and snack times
· Ensure that children are always within state ratio requirements
· Perform minor cleaning responsibilities (e.g., spills) immediately
· Perform major cleaning during times when children are not present
· Post a classroom schedule that meets the needs of the children and includes a routine
and learning opportunities
· Post and adhere to all Goddard Health and Safety policies and procedures

Advance children’s physical and intellectual competence
· Adapt program to meet the individual needs of each child
· Create a multi-cultural learning environment
· Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to engage children in learning
· Interact with the children to support play, exploration and learning
· Encourage children to talk with each other and with the faculty
· Present age- and developmentally-appropriate expectations for all children
· Create a print-rich environment in order for children to learn about books, literature and
writing
· Encourage creativity through art, music, dramatic play and blocks
· Provide a reasonable balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities
· Provide opportunities for both active and quiet play
· Integrate Goddard-approved resources (including Enrichment Programs) into lesson
plans

Support each child’s social and emotional development and provide positive guidance
· Understand and adhere to the Goddard Behavior Policy
· Plan and implement activities to develop children’s self-esteem and social skills
· Plan and implement activities to enable children’s feeling of security
· Encourage empathetic and respectful feelings for others, as well as the environment,
through positive modeling
· Respect cultural and ethnic diversity

Establish positive and effective family relations
· Communicate, in a professional manner, with families and faculty
· Encourage families to become an integral part of their children’s learning experiences
· Provide opportunities (e.g., conferences) in which families are made to feel a part of their
children’s learning experiences
· Prepare a Daily Activity Report for each child
· Maintain a portfolio for each child
· Maintain the classroom Parent Board

Ensure an effective program, responsive to children’s needs
· Assess supplies and materials needed to implement activities
· Build teamwork
· Develop lesson plans
· Manage classrooms according to Goddard QA Standards
· Perform child observations and document in their portfolios
· Use assessment tools (e.g., Progress Reports, Children’s Progress)

Maintain professional commitment
· Promote “learning through play” philosophy and educational objectives
· Support a code of ethical conduct
· Pursue professional development/continuing education
· Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, conferences and professional growth
opportunities

Email your resume to westchesteroh@goddard.com