JOB TITLE:  EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER LEAD TEACHER                             DEPARTMENT:  TECHNICAL EDUCATION

SALARY RANGE:  $44,498 - $61,918                                                                          FLSA:  EXEMPT 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Early Childhood Education Center Director            

SCHEDULE DETAILS:  Full-time/12 month position/PSRS

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Lead Teacher is responsible for developing and implementing the daily lesson plans and activities for the classroom. This position is also responsible for creating a classroom environment that implements best practices and an anti-bias curriculum which supports the development of the whole child.

Essential Job Duties

• Maintain and assume responsibility for the assigned classroom environment.
• Direct classroom assistant teacher, work study assistants, teacher aides, practicum students, and classroom volunteers.
• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans based on the ECEC approved curriculum and best practice.
• Plan and prepare the learning environment (both indoors and outdoors), setting up learning centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies.
• Effectively mentor practicum students providing opportunities for students to actively participate in the classroom environment with any necessary practicum paperwork and forms provided by practicum faculty.
• Facilitate and model effective communication, best practices, classroom management techniques, and lesson plan delivery for practicum students and parents.
• Mentor practicum students - provide opportunities for observation, active participation, and documentation of the working classroom environment.
• Assist with the arrival of ECEC children and families by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
• Record daily observations of children’s behavior and activities with regard to routines and information conveyed daily to family members.
• Direct and conduct the assessment of the developmental stages of the children, using approved assessment tool.
• Schedule and conduct regular family conferences to discuss children’s developmental progress, establish goals, and learning strategies.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, positive attitude, and supportive culture. 
• Prioritize work flow, and uses independent judgment to support effective daily classroom management and operations. 
• Effectively collaborate with colleagues and parents to build positive relationships within the preschool environment, the OTC environment, and the community.
• Supervise the activities of infant, toddler and/or preschool children in an educational environment that is safe, clean, well arranged, enriching, and conducive to the development of the whole child.
• Assist the ECEC Director and ECD Department Chair in managing the daily operations of the center and promotion of the Early Childhood Development program.
• Exercise initiative by assisting with general housekeeping tasks.
• Complete professional development training hours as required for licensing, accreditation, and Ozarks Technical Community College; maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Maintain confidentiality of all children, parents, ECD program students, and employees.
• Attend all staff meetings and other mandatory or required in-service meetings.
• Know and adhere to the policies of the program in regards to:
  • Licensing and accreditation guidelines
  • Communicable diseases and exclusion of sick children
  • First aid and medical emergency
  • Emergency procedures
  • Mandated reporting procedures
  • Center dress code and professionalism
  • Reporting personal illness when needing a sick day or requesting time off
  • Missouri Eat Smart and MOve Smart guidelines
  • NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
  • FERPA and HIPAA confidentiality guidelines within the classroom and ECEC
• Exhibit exemplary attendance and punctuality.
• Comply with college policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including attending college functions, serving on committees and attending community events.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development, early childhood education, elementary education, or early childhood special education (with a minimum of an associate’s degree in the early childhood field) from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.  A degree from a related field may be considered if a transcript review determines the number of early childhood credits are equivalent.
• Two years of classroom experience in an early childhood or early elementary setting.
• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Ability to pass a TB test or provide proof of current test or risk assessment.
• Ability to be approved by the state Family Care Safety Registry criminal fingerprint background check.
• Must be able to pass a medical physical, as required by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Perform physical activities and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use information technology for professional productivity (such as Microsoft Office Suite).

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or child & family development from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
• Experience working in a child development laboratory setting at an institution of higher learning. 
• Classroom or education experience in an early learning setting with children and families of diverse races, culture, and languages.
• Experience with COR Advantage assessment.
• Experience with High Scope Curriculum.
• Experience with Conscious Discipline.
• Experience with adult supervision, mentoring and leadership development.
• Knowledge of NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards.
• Experience with Colleague.
• Experience working within a collegiate setting.

Working at Ozarks Technical Community College Provides Great Benefits

• Medical insurance coverage for employees through the CoxHealth network at no cost to employees.
• Dental, LTD and group life insurance coverage for employees at no cost to employees.
• Access to the on-site OTC Health and Wellness Clinic at no cost for employees and their dependents.
• Use of the OTC fitness center at no cost to employees.
• Twelve (12) tuition free college credit hours per fall and/or spring semester and six (6) college credit hours per summer term for employees and/or their dependents.
• College matches the employee PSRS/PEERS retirement at 14.5% or 6.86%

Physical Requirements

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.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger/touch, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee must be able to move around and about their area, and operate a computer as needed.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  Other physical requirements include visually supervising preschool children and practicum students and lifting up to 50 lbs. unassisted.

***OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE INSTITUTION DESIRES.  THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION.  THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE.  THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.”  THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

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