Lead Preschool Teacher

WFS PRESCHOOL LEAD TEACHER

Summary: The purpose of this position is to have an individual serve as a Waltham Family School (WFS) Preschool Lead Teacher responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate, safe, and caring early childhood/preschool program for English Language Learning children ages three to five.

Waltham Family School, a program of the Waltham Public Schools, provides educational opportunities for families with young children which prepare the children for success in school and empower the parents to be partners with the schools in the education of their children.

The WFS Preschool Lead Teacher plans and implements a play-based and holistic curriculum that emphasizes developmental progress so that children will enter kindergarten prepared and eager to learn in a kindergarten classroom. Engages parents/caretakers in a child''s educational program in order to foster meaningful involvement that will be maintained throughout the child's educational career. Contributes to the planning of parent-child Interactive Literacy activities . Supervises two WFS Paraprofessionals, interns, and volunteers. Works collaboratively with the other Preschool staff to plan and coordinate curriculum, and with all the staff of The Waltham Family School to plan and provide a comprehensive program to meet the needs of families enrolled. Works collaboratively with the WPS Special Education PreK Department.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred; Master's degree preferred, or equivalent.
• Lead Teacher Certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
• EEC certification plus 5 years experience as a lead teacher
• Associate Degree plus 3 years experience
• At least three (3) years' experience in teaching young children who are English Language Learners
• Experience and competencies working in a multiracial and multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of early language acquisition and literacy development.

Supervised By: Program Coordinator, Waltham Family School

Work Year: Sept.-Aug. (36 weeks; includes 4 week summer program in July)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides a developmentally appropriate, safe and caring early childhood education/ preschool program for children three, four and five years old enrolled in the Waltham Family School Preschool before entering kindergarten.
• Understands and works within the variant developmental stages of children to provide a curriculum in a structured environment that increases cognitive, social-emotional, language/communication, fine and gross motor, literacy, mathematics, science, and culture/civics abilities, and strengthens use of English language.
• Plans and prepares a play-based classroom setting that provides a language and literacy rich environment, stimulates learning and social-emotional growth within a trauma-informed context, and meets safety and health standards.
• Develops and implements appropriate goals for each child.
• Continually observes and assesses each child and writes progress reports.
• Maintains all records, including attendance and parent -teacher conference reports; uses confidential information for professional purposes only.
• Submits requests for supplies and equipment in a timely fashion.
• Communicates regularly with parents, including at least two parent conferences each year, four pre-enrollment home visits and two pre-enrollment play dates. Partners with parents in their child's educational program creating meaningful parent involvement that will be maintained throughout the child's education at WFS and beyond.
• Collaborates on the planning and delivery of the parent-child Interactive Literacy component of the WFS program.
• Trains, Supervises and evaluates two WFS Preschool Paraprofessionals and trains and supervises interns and volunteers.
• Leads the Early Childhood/WFS Preschool Team in weekly planning meetings; provides staff development.
• Communicates regularly with the WFS Program Coordinator regarding the progress of the children, engagement with parents, and the needs of the classroom.
• Communicates with and supports WFS Library volunteers in providing a literacy-based parent-child program.
• Communicates with and supports the Music in Motion teacher in providing a rich music & movement curriculum.
• Collaborates with Waltham Public Schools Special Education PreK staff; attends IEP meetings as requested.
• Attends Waltham Family School staff meetings, and attends professional development opportunities as available.
• Participates in the program development of The Waltham Family School, including the development of a comprehensive curriculum for both parents and children, recruiting of families, and planning and attending special events, ceremonies and field trips.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by WFS Program Coordinator.
• Complies with City of Waltham Public Schools procedures and policies.

Conditions of Employment

• CORI check
• SAFIS/finger print

Salary Range: To be determined based on experience/degree.

Non- Discrimination Notice: Waltham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of

race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Waltham Public Schools has partnered with the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in

Education (MPDE) in our effort to welcome diverse candidates to our school system. We

value and prioritize the hiring of educators who bring a wealth of perspectives and

experiences to our schools, and who reflect the diversity of the students we serve.

MPDE is a collaborative of public school districts with a 40-year uninterrupted history

committed to supporting the interest of its members to increase the numbers of teachers of

color for their schools by providing recruitment support and related services.