Job Description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Early Learning Teacher  who wants to make an impact in the lives of others. 

Purpose and Impact : The Early Learning Teacher serves as lead worker in a early childhood classroom. Performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for pre-school aged children or infants/toddlers in the Lutheran Services Florida Inc. program that comply with state performance standards. Participates in the program Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions: 

• Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre-school age children or infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards. 
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment. 
• Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards. 
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children. 
• Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory. 
• Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements. 
• Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of a variety of formal documents. 
• Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers. 
• Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information. 
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information. 
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator. 
• Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards.
• Conducts Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.
• Performs quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS scores greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Success Rubric.
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Use parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency. 
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children. 
• Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom. 
• Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt. 
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities. 
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports. 
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other staff & licensed professionals.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

Other Functions:

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Education: 

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate;  and

A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool Endorsement; OR Florida Child Care Professional Certification (FCCPC); OR Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) and proof of successful completion of Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Syndrome & Fire Extinguisher Training with 30 days of hire date and 5 hour Early Literacy for Children Birth to Three and Part 1(30) hour Florida Child Care Facility required training and Part II (5) hour Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices, (5) hour Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practice, and (5) hour Preschool Appropriate Practices within 12 months of hire date.

In addition, all state mandated courses for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) required. 

Preferred Education:

Associate degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Development or a related field with 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education; and proof of successful completion of Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Syndrome & Fire Extinguisher Training with 30 days of hire date and 5 hour Early Literacy for Children Birth to Three and Part 1(30) hour Florida Child Care Facility required training and Part II (5) Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices, (5) hour Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practice, and (5) hour Preschool Appropriate Practices within 12 months of hire date.

In addition, all state mandated courses for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) required. 

**Timeline of completion of the 45 hours is dependent on the candidate's date of entering childcare industry; must enroll within 90 days to take coursework and complete within 12 months to not exceed 15 months.

Experience:

• Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, Infant & Toddlers, pre-school or kindergarten age children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required: Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire  and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, health, TB and drug screening prior to hiring. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of brain development and its impact on early learning.
• Working knowledge of child development birth to age five for typical and atypical children.
• Working knowledge of culture and practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Working knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in the application of supervisory techniques.
• Skill in making presentations to groups.
• Skill in verbal communication with infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children.
• Skill in resolving conflicts between pre-school age children.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to implement routine care for infants and toddlers in a responsive environment.
• Ability to assume a seated position on the floor, or a bent or kneeled position for extended periods of time.
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First-Aid.
• Ability to implement safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff. 
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices. 
• Effective staff management and leadership.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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