Master Teacher

Job Summary:

The Master Teacher provides an environment in which each child can grow emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically according to his/her needs, ability level and maturity; collaborates with staff and outside agencies; assists in the supervision of the Assistant Teachers; coordinates curriculum planning and staff development, assessments, site evaluation, and parent involvement. In addition, supervises the child care and development program in the absence of the Manager.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the care, development, and instruction of infant and/or toddler children in a child care and development program.
• Ensure child-teacher ratios, are in compliance with state requirements; assist with the supervision of the staff assigned to the classroom regarding curriculum implementation and other duties; train staff to promote effective instructional practices within the program; and complete an annual program self-evaluation.
• Review lesson plans; ensure activities facilitated in the classroom meet the individual needs of the children; conduct and document observations on a regular basis using Developmental Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), Ages and Stages Questionnaire/ Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional (ASQ/ASQ:SE) Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS), and other tools as needed for program effectiveness.
• Supervise the child development program operating in the absence of the Manager.
• Attend to health and personal hygiene needs of children on a daily basis in a reasonable and timely manner.
• Cultivate home/school relationships with families including ongoing communications; demonstrate interest in each child’s learning and development understanding their family’s hopes, priorities and considerations regarding their child.
• Provide guidance and support to children with special needs and disabilities; ensure active involvement in implementing goals noted in the child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of the children’s emotional, social, intellectual and physical development on a regular basis; maintain appropriate records, prepare progress reports and communicate with parents on individual child’s progress.
• Create a functional, comfortable, and engaging environment for learning, including displays, bulletin boards, learning centers, and instructional equipment.
• Develop, select, order and modify instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of each child.
• Prepare and maintain a current work schedule, which may include, but not be limited to, lesson plans for Teacher-Floater.
• Maintain professional standards and competence through participation in professional growth opportunities provided by EPU and in self-directed professional growth activities.
• Order and supervise the serving of food, ensure children eat a balanced meal and have a happy and orderly social experience; prepare lunch counts, serve food, encourage new and/or different food acceptances, and build desirable eating habits and manners.
• Prepare, maintain and submit accurate records, reports, files and documentation as assigned on each enrolled child.
• Support and implement quality improvement programs such as QRIS System to ensure center embeds all requirements.
• Maintain site discipline, daily parent communication, program improvement and school site personnel relations based on licensing requirement Title 22, California Education Code, Title 5 and State Exemplary Standards Program Objectives.
• Collaborate with assigned supervisor, managers, directors, and administrators who evaluate the efficiency of the program; ensure effective communication and operation of the programs; assist in the formulation and development of policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in a variety of assigned meetings, committees, conferences, in-services and/or special events.
• Exhibit professionally appropriate interpersonal skills including but not limited to tact, patience, flexibility and courtesy.
• Maintain, manage, and process records, files and information in a confidential manner that meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Assure adherence to all EPU standards, policies and procedures at all times.
• Required to complete 21 hours of professional development growth hours through local trainings, workshops and college coursework per year to stay on track with permit renewal requirements.
• Required to complete and maintain pediatric first aid, pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation course and Preventative Health and Safety course (16 hours).
• Requires reliable transportation for use in business related local travel.
• Schedule varies between 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday depending on weekly schedule, staff availability, and program needs.
• Must perform other duties as they are assigned by the Manager, Director and President/Chief Executive Officer.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience:

Education:

• High School Diploma, General Education Degree (GED) or State High School Proficiency certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development or related field preferred.
• Three (3) post-secondary semester units related to the care of infants

Skills: Must have strong communication skills both written and verbal, and able to make independent decisions within guidelines, code of ethics. Must have warmth and sensitivity for working with children and their families. Be creative, team-oriented, reflective, and effective in time management.

Licensure:

• Valid Child Development Master Teacher Permit or higher issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Must clear and maintain a clearance level through LIVESCAN fingerprint for the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Abuse Central Index.
• Must clear the social services LIC 503 health screening and continue to meet the ongoing health requirements for the position.
• Provide proof of immunizations, including a negative test results or certification from a physician that you are currently non-symptomatic for TB (within one year), Flu Shot (can waive), shots for measles and pertussis.
• Required to complete upon hire and renew every 2 years Mandated Reporter training with an AB 1207 certificate.
• Requires a valid California driver’s license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.

Experience:

• Three+ years of teaching experience in a classroom with children ages zero (0) to five (5) years old. Experience working with infants and toddlers is a plus.
• Must be able to work with a diverse population, have the capacity to engage families and yet maintain the boundaries of a helping relationship.
• Experience in child development, family engagement, current trends and research in Early Childhood Education, recreation, music and arts.
• Experience with curriculum and instruction, instructional materials, and methods, interpretation and application.
• Experience in utilizing evaluation and assessment techniques and procedures, including but not limited to: ASQ-3, ASQ - Social-Emotional, Desired Results for Children and Families, Environmental Rating Scale, etc.
• Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary in all forms of communication.
• Knowledge of State Education Code, local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and requirements and county office organization, operations, policies and objectives as related to assigned activities and/or instructional area.
• Bi-lingual, bi-cultural is a plus.
• Computer literate, knowledge of Microsoft Office products.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: Position works at the EPU facility. Staff works in a classroom setting at the EPU facility. Must be able to sit on floors, squat, stand, stoop, and bend at waist, twist and turn to work with children.

Equipment Used: Personal vehicle for local travel, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Essential Physical Tasks: Working with children and their families require the ability to sit on floors, reach, twist, turn, kneel, stand, stoop, crawl, lift, carry, push and pull.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, however it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.