Summary

Under general supervision, performs various teaching functions as a lead teacher in a preschool classroom serving typically and atypically developing children.

Required education, training, and experience

• Minimum of a BA/BS degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field.
• Must hold a current NC Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) licensure, Preschool Add-On, or equivalent. Preference is given to those applicants who have experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Preferred qualifications

• CDL license and school bus certification

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans based on the approved curriculum.
• Ensure regular parent communication.
• Plan and implement activities that develop self-esteem and social skills.
• Facilitate play, exploration, and learning which is developmentally appropriate for each child. 
• Assess students using formal and informal assessments and discuss results.
• Develop and implement comprehensive, data-based individual education plans for students.
• Assume responsibility for arranging and conducting meetings to discuss Individual Education Plans for students.
• Regularly plan, monitor, evaluate and update each student’s individual needs.
• Provide recommendations and guidance to Exceptional Children Program administration regarding specific needs of children with special needs.
• Collaborate with therapists, instructional assistants, and other staff to implement individual goals in daily routines/activities.
• Design an appropriate learning environment that meets the developmental needs and goals of each student.
• Participate in professional development training and opportunities.
• Communicate appropriately and professionally with parents and fellow staff.
• Commit to participating in and building a peer team environment.
• Follow federal and state guidelines for the Exceptional Children Program.  
• Ensure compliance with all NC Child Care Regulations.
• Support family engagement within the classroom and school.
• Work in conjunction with the NC Pre-K Instructional Facilitator, Exceptional Children Preschool Instructional Facilitator, and Preschool Program Coordinator in meeting all applicable standards and regulations.
• Must be able to routinely lift up to 40 pounds.  
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, etc. 
• Must be able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.  There may be changing priorities and interruptions during the workday.  
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics of data, people, or things.
• Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information.  Includes giving instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, articles, proposals, contracts, etc.  Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, policies, etc. using prescribed formats.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.  Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical, legal, and counseling terminology.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.