Classroom Tasks
- Planning, supervising, and implementing the programs for the class in accordance with the Academy Director and curriculum coordinator and Community Director.
- Maintaining an age-appropriate classroom learning environment, as required by the Academy Director. Independence in assuming responsibility for the efficient and satisfactory arrangement of interest areas, rooms, storage, and outdoor area; and the adjustment of temperature, light, and ventilation in the assigned classroom.
- Supervising children by sight and sound at all times.
- Guiding children towards desirable habits in eating, sleeping, personal hygiene, social development, emotional stability, self-dependence, self-control, and respect for authority.
- Creating a warm and accepting environment for all children, families, visitors, and potential customers.
- Sharing the Gospel and having spiritual conversations with the children in your classroom.
- Maintaining ongoing communication with families that includes knowing their names and addressing each person by name every day.
- Recognizing the individuality of each child and planning the program to assure each child’s success.
- Demonstrating and teaching respect for diversity among children and adults.
- Understanding the process of child development and relating that understanding to teaching.
- Showing awareness of progress or lack of it in a child’s behavior, being alert to the total group even when dealing with a part of it.
- Encouraging and guiding the expression of feelings, being a good listener, and assisting children in gaining confidence.
- Guiding children in developing skills across all learning domains by teaching specific skills and giving children time to explore a variety of creative materials throughout each day.
- Assisting children in problem-solving and guiding them through conflicts by teaching and modeling positive conflict resolution skills.
- Assessing and observing children and using these observations to plan effective learning opportunities for each individual class and for the entire group.
- Making proper requests, in a timely manner, for materials and supplies to facilitate the operation of classroom activities.
Academy Tasks
- Assuming an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the staff and maintaining cleanliness of the individual classroom at all times.
- Be available to give breaks to other staff when your kids are not in the building at school.
- Know and plan for school breaks and summer club with provided materials.
- Attending all staff meetings, training sessions, staff work days, parent conferences, parent open houses, graduation programs, and other special functions as scheduled by the Academy Director.
- Maintaining current First-Aid and CPR certification during employment (this is a job requirement).
- Attending training seminars to aid in development of job skills and increase potential for growth.
- Participating in an academy training event as a facilitator or co-facilitator bi-annually.
- Participating in the larger early childhood community through attendance at conferences, volunteer service, and keeping a current membership in a local, state, or national early childhood organization.
- Maintaining a thorough knowledge and close adherence to the Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers, NAC accreditation standards, and the operating policies of Lionheart Children’s Academy.
Critical Gifts
- Spiritual maturity - committed and passionate follower of Jesus Christ
- Willingness to share the Gospel and have spiritual conversations
- Desire to reach children and parents for Christ
- Friendliness and a warmth towards people
- Enjoy teaching and being with elementary age students
- Dependability and self-confidence
- Enthusiasm for teaching
- Bring the fun into your class
- Desire to growth and learn personally and professionally
- Comfortable having spiritual conversations with children and adults
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- An ability to evaluate self
- Be teachable and flexible
- A clear and well-modulated voice
- Self-starter
- Personal appearance that is neat and suitable for working with young children
Essential Job Functions
- All staff in supervision of children must be:
- Able to see, hear and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on playground, in bathrooms, and in common areas.
- Able to lift 35-50 pounds from the floor to a waist high table 10-15 times daily.
- Able to reach a child 20-30 feet away within 30 seconds without danger to the employee’s health.
- Able to crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, sit on the floor, and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment.
- Able to determine cognitive, social and physical needs of children and communicate in writing and verbally in the English language at a level that 90-95% of parents and other staff are able to understand and respond to.
- Able to handle the stress, tension and exasperation that daily contact with many children and parents might bring.
- Clearly create and implement a daily plan in your classroom
- Work with a team to plan and implement the Summer Club curriculum
Background, Experience, and Education
- At least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate required
- Early education BA, AA or CDA highly preferred for Teacher position
- Previous experience in a state licensed facility OR 24 hours of documented pre-service training required for a Teacher position
- Children’s ministry experience is a plus