Preschool Lead Teacher - Alma

Are you passionate about helping children succeed? Do you want to join a team of dedicated professionals committed to creating an environment where children thrive?  At Pediatrics Plus, we work to empower children to conquer their world. Pediatrics Plus is a specialized pediatric healthcare provider. We are committed to helping children succeed in all stages of life through evidence-based therapy and education, diagnostic services, state-of-the-art facilities, specialized equipment, family support, and community investment. Join us as a Preschool Lead Teacher!

Here are some other reasons you’ll love working at Pediatrics Plus:

• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retirement plan with Company Matching
• Company Discounts & Incentives
• Company-Provided Paid Training & Professional Development
• Continuing Education Opportunities
• Cutting Edge Classroom Structures & Curriculum
• State of the Art Facilities & Technology

What you will do:

The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for the classroom which includes assessing clients, ensuring treatment plans are carried out, and supervising the Classroom Teaching Assistants.

• Manages and participates in all classroom activities.
  • Circle Time and Curriculum, Center Time, Arrivals, Departures, Transition Activities, Academic Activities, Recess Time, Mealtime, Nap Time, and other activities as determined by leadership.
• Reviews the client’s treatment plan and makes suggestions of changes to the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach, as requested.
• Ensures that the client’s treatment plan is implemented to maximize the treatment of the client served. 
• Refers clients for additional clinical services as needed (i.e., nutritional, medical, therapy and behavioral issues), in collaboration with the Director and any other appropriate leadership.
• Implements, modifies, and ensures completion of daily lesson plans.
• Ensures that required reports are updated, completed, and turned in on time. 
• Ensures the completion of classroom billing via deTASO by signing daily.
• Ensures classroom supplies are stocked daily.
• Ensures that visual supervision of the clients is always maintained, and headcount is completed during each transition.
• Ensures a positive emotional climate for the clients by showing respect to clients and adults through a willingness to help others, by maintaining harmonious interpersonal relations, and through use of appropriate and approved discipline techniques.
• Follows Pediatrics Plus’s classroom management techniques under guidance of the Early Childhood Behavior and Classroom Coach or leadership.
• Maintains an environment conductive to preventative discipline by being engaged in interactions and teachable moments with the clients throughout the day.
• Speaks in a well-modulated, pleasant, and caring voice to clients, parents, and team members.
• Attends and actively participates in job-related center functions, including but not limited to, Parent Teacher Conferences, parent/team meetings, Graduation ceremony, Training Day, as well as other center functions.
• Represents the program to parents, visitors, and the public in a positive way.
• Ensures that a clean, safe, healthy, and sanitary learning environment is maintained and that clients are kept clean, clothing is changed when necessary, and toys and other materials are disinfected each day. 
• During periods of physical activity, ensures that active involvement is maintained with clients to promote gross and fine motor development.
• Immediately reports any information regarding health and safety concerns to the Director of Preschool Services or Nurse.
• Completes 15 hours of relevant and approved in-service trainings per fiscal year.
• Is familiar with and follows the company’s policies, procedures, and guidelines, as well as those requirements set forth by regulatory agencies, including EIDT, AR Childcare Licensing, and the AR Health Department. 
• Displays concern for the rights of clients and families served by the clinic.
• Ensures confidentiality of client and team member information. Responds to internal and external requests for information according to clinic policy.
• May be asked to perform some housekeeping/janitorial functions.
• Participates in one-on-one meetings with leader.
• Assists in training and supporting new hires as they are assigned to the classroom.
• Actively engages with the clients during all scheduled classroom activities including, but not limited to, circle time, center time, theme time, and during meals or mealtime. This will include moving around the classroom with the clients, sitting on the floor with the clients, and participating in play with the clients inside and while outside on the playground.
• Completes teaching through daily curriculum activities and through playful experiences throughout other activities. Ensures Teaching Assistants’ support in this.
• Utilizes Pediatrics Plus approved techniques for engagement, teaching, and behavioral redirection.
• May perform other related and non-related duties, as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What you have:

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people.
• Must be able to work with clients birth to age seven and families who are at risk.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer skills which include working knowledge of databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and internet software.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a very busy environment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, policies, and other company documents.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of families or team members of the company.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Reports for work dressed appropriately and complies with company policies regarding dress code.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CDA, preferred.
• One year of successful experience in a classroom setting working with developmentally at-risk clients or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to accurately communicate information and ideas so others will understand through sight and hearing. The team member is regularly required to move including walking, running, jumping, and sitting. The team member is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, lift, reach, and feel. The team member is frequently required to stand and stoop, twist, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The team member must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. If the team member is working at a Farm location, they must be comfortable around standard farm animals, including minimal allergies to touching, smelling, feeding, and engaging with animals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.