Head Teacher, YMCA Child Development Center - Oklahoma City, OK

GENERAL FUNCTION The Master Teacher is responsible for meeting the developmental needs of children birth through six years of age in a group setting. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans that address the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of each child, providing a safe and secure environment providing documentation of positive developmental outcomes for students, as well as maintaining positive relations and communications with families, partnership agencies and program staff.

Directs classroom teachers, assistant teacher, practicum students, and volunteers to meet program standards as well as Oklahoma Department of Human Service Licensing Regulations, NECPA. guidelines, Oklahoma City/County Health Department and the Child and Adult Center Food Program licensing regulations. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES Planning: Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lessons and activities. Plan in advance, weekly lesson plans and supply needs and turn into your director or designated person.

Post current lesson plans in the classroom at all times. Develop a daily schedule that provides a balance of active and quiet activities, individual and group times. Arrange the classroom to provide for learning centers and rotate toys routinely. Monitor children’s developmental progress through observation records, checklists, daily reports and portfolios. Parent Communication: Maintain positive, open relations with all families.

Address and greet parents by name upon arrival and departure. Reinforce daily to parent and child the successes and positive behaviors exhibited. Visit with parents and keep record of all behavior concerns as may arise. Communicate all concerns and provide written documentation of all concerns to Director or Associate Executive Director of Youth Development Conduct parent teacher conferences twice yearly as schedule and more often as needed.

Facilitate all classroom activities, participate, model, and observe as necessary. Classroom Organization: Manage all classroom supplies and equipment in a safe and organized manner. Maintain the classroom environment to support smooth transitions and independent learning of children. Maintain labeling on classroom shelving and containers. Maintain neatly all storage areas. Follow a cleaning schedule. Display all posting and children’s work in a neat and orderly manner at children’s eye level.

Children’s artwork display should be at least 90% creative art, 10% can be process art. Maintain a parent informational board in the classroom; autobiography of each teacher, picture of each teacher, class schedule, special events, current lesson plans, and center newsletter. Maintain learning centers; older toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners have space arranged for a variety of individual and small group activities including block building, dramatic play, art, music, science, math, manipulative, quiet book reading, sand and water play and woodworking should be offered occasionally.

Maintain clear pathways for children to move from one area to another without disturbing activities. Areas are organized for easy supervision by staff. Maintain a Safe, Secure and Clean Environment: Lift and carry children as need. Follow all program guidelines in regard to food service, clean up and food storage. Complete accident/incident reports in a timely manner, following the chain of command have the report signed and provide a copy to the parent on the day of the incident.

Support and demonstrate discipline practices in accordance with D.H.S. Licensing Regulation. Remove all broken toys or equipment. Maintain Professionalism: Attend all required staff meeting and trainings. Follow program dress code. Maintain appropriate attendance. Maintain eye contact and smile at parents, children and staff during all communications. Maintain confidentiality on a strict need to know basis with parents, staff, outside agencies, and the general community.

Maintain current certification in Infant/Child and Adult CPR, First Aid. Plan and complete training hours required by Oklahoma DHS Licensing Regulations. Meet and/or exceed all Oklahoma D.H.S. Licensing regulation and NECPA. guidelines in relation to programming for children birth to six years. May assist in interviewing center staff. Develop meaningful and sustainable relationships with members, donors and volunteers.