Preschool Lead Teacher

Employment Status: Part-time

FLSA: Non-exempt/Hourly

Work Schedule: 8:30AM – 2:15PM (mid-August through mid-May)

The programs calendar compliments the Northeast Independent School District calendar.

Reports to: Director

Job Summary: 

The St. Mark Catholic Preschool Lead Teacher is a classroom architect responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, socially and spiritually enriching environment for young children, approximately 18 months to 5 years old, during the short-term daytime program. This role focuses on fostering early developmental milestones through structured play, basic instruction, and compassionate care, and executing curricula, while ensuring parents feel confident and secure leaving their children in our care. In addition to providing direct care, the Lead Teacher is responsible for the work relationship with the Assistant Teacher, colleagues, and acting as the primary point of contact for the families.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• *Catholic Education: Support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the program, and acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church
• *Curriculum Execution: Plan and implement age-appropriate lesson plans involving crafts, storytelling, music, and basic educational concepts. Execute effective team-teaching and team-planning.
• *Environmental Design: Organize the classroom into effective centers/learning stations to encourage independent exploration and collaborative experiences, alike. Set-up classroom materials/supplies/resources.
• *Supervision and Safety: Maintain constant supervision of all children; ensure the environment meets all health and safety standards. Assist with the care of ill/injured children.
• *Compliance Leadership: Ensure the classroom strictly adheres to state licensing requirements and program safety standards at all times.
• *Management of Learning Environment: Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting classroom; sanitize toys and surfaces daily to prevent the spread of germs.
• *Crisis Management: Ability to take command and make quick sound decision during medical/environmental/weather related emergency.
• *Basic Care: Manage daily needs including diaper and clothing changes, potty training assistance, and supervising all aspects of the daily schedule including, but not limited to lunch/nap/snack/outdoor times.
• *Communication: Provide daily report to parents regarding their child’s activities, mood, and any incidents as verbal, written, and/or electronic communication. Prompt communication with admin as to accident/illness/instances. Be available for parent conference as needed or requested.
• *Parent Relations: Lead parent-teacher conferences and handle sensitive communications regarding child progress, behavioral challenges, or developmental concerns.
• *Records Oversight: Maintain accurate records for attendance, incident reports, allergy lists, and medication logs. 
• *Classroom Management: Establish and actively implement a set of practices, strategies, and routines that help create a structured, respectful, and engaging learning environment. This includes and is not limited to, organizing the physical space to managing behavior, time, and student interactions.
• *Social Development: Model and teach positive social behaviors, such as sharing, kindness, manners and following directions to promote growth.

Position Requirements: 

Education 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Child Development Associate or coursework in Early Childhood Education is preferred or Associate’s degree in a related field preferred

• Experience

• At least 2 years' experience of working with children in a professional regulated setting such as preschool, daycare, or school

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill in appropriate technology, such as a tablet
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with integrity and discretion. Confidentiality is essential.
• Must have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Must be detail oriented, organized, self-motivated, work well independently and as a team.

License, Credentials, and Screenings

• Reliable transportation
•  Valid driver license or identification
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification (infant/child) is preferred
• Must pass a comprehensive federal and state background check prior to starting employment and maintain eligible outcome.

Competencies

• Customer Service - Ability to be attentive to the needs of internal and external customers and being able to find resolution within the parameters of set standards and messaging in a positive manner.
• Communication - Ability to effectively share information and ideas of various degree of difficulty and sensitivity through different means of communication and to diverse audiences. (Verbal, Written and/or Electronic)
• Critical Thinking - Ability to actively and skillfully process and generate information and belief using a set of core skills – analysis, evaluation, inference, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning.
• Integrity / Honesty - Ability to conduct self in ways that are in concert with the organization’s standard of conduct when advocating for and influencing others and executing responsibilities.
• Thorough - Ability to provide great care and attention to detail, while meeting deadlines.

The position requires the following physical demands in the frequency noted.

C = Constantly (2/3 or more of the time) O = Occasionally (Up to 1/3 of the time)

F = Frequently (From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) R = Rarely (less than one hour per week)

Physical Demands          Frequency

Lifting up to 35#s             F

Sitting                                 R

Walking                              C

Running                             O

Standing                            F

Bending Waist                  F

Balancing                          F

Squatting                          F

Sitting on Floor                F

Repetitive Motions         O

Reach above shoulder   O

Reach below shoulder   O

Stooping                           F

Pushing                            F

Pulling                             F

Talking                             F

Hearing                           C

Crawling                          R

Kneeling                         R

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise as needed.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity Employer