3K Lead Teacher

Agency Overview:

Commonpoint is a multifaceted community center dedicated to sustaining and enhancing the quality of individual, family and communal life throughout New York City, offering services to people of all ages, ability levels, stages of life and backgrounds. They strive to meet the evolving needs of their community of over 100,000 members ranging from providing in-school and after-school programs, professional and career development, assistance with food insecurity, legal services, financial counseling, mental health services, senior classes, dementia care programs, and tax preparation assistance to name a few. Commonpoint has grown tremendously in the last five years and now has a mission-driven staff of 3,000 and over 80 sites in the five boroughs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

An individual hired as a Lead Teacher will report directly to the Director of the Early Childhood Center at one of any Early Childhood Programs under Commonpoint. This position supports the curriculum, classroom environment, and child care as determined by the Director.

In this 37.5 hour per week - Full-time roll the Early Childhood Professional will support a 3K/PreK for All classroom at the Samuel Field location of Commonpoint.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated capacity in planning appropriate Early Childhood classroom activities aligned with NYS Common Core Standards and DAP, observe children’s behaviors, implement age appropriate assessment, maintain educational records and conferring with parents. The curriculum will be determined by the New York City Department of Education.
• Must have knowledge of progressive approaches to Early Childhood education and experiences with lesson planning based on NYC standards and expectations.
• Mastery of child development including typical and atypical language, cognitive, motor, social, and self-help skills development.
• Desire to work with a diverse population of children and families (including, but not limited to families and children in transitional housing, first generation speakers of languages other than English, and those who may have experienced a history of trauma).
• Exceptional supervisory and leadership skills; capability to motivate others.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivator; ability to multi-task and work efficiently and effectively under deadlines.
• Well-versed in DOH and DOE contractual and licensure requirements relative to classroom layout, curriculum, lesson plans, and service delivery to Commonpoint children and families.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and regulations which govern childcare (including but not limited to Early Learn, Head Start, DOH Article 47 standards).
• Experience working with groups and/or families from diverse, cultural, linguistic, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification preferable.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Age-appropriately provide students with a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment to help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
• Develop engaging activities and lesson plans in accordance with the Department of Education.
• Provide services to all children and families with respect, confidentiality and dignity.
• Exhibit knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socio-economic needs of the children and families served in the program.
• Regularly create and post visual and written documentation to highlight the voice of the children and communicate the learning and growth that they experience daily.
• Relate to families in a holistic fashion that incorporates education, social services, health and nutrition, and family issues.
• Nurture and uphold positive working relationships with parents and staff.
• Ensure parent involvement and/or awareness in program planning through regular, open communication (i.e. parent meetings and events, parent newsletters, daily notes, and parent conferences, etc.).
• Supervise and collaborate with Assistant Teacher and Teacher Aide regarding program development, planning and implementation and delegate their responsibilities professionally and accordingly.
• Consistently update and maintain children’s progress reports, daily health logs, incident logs, accident reports, lesson plans, and weekly child observation notes, etc.; comply with other required documentation and record keeping responsibilities as necessary.
• Solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain an open, frequent dialogue with the Education Director regarding all things pertaining to the Early Childhood classroom, students, parents, etc.
• Familiarity of community resources that support Commonpoint’s overall mission and the student and families served within the Early Childhood Education program.
• Supervise assigned group of children at all times.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe facility for children and parents.
• Work with other staff to coordinate use of shared space within the Early Childhood Education facility.
• Display ethical and professional conduct that enables the building of a respectful, trusting and collaborative relationship with the center staff.
• Comply with the established agency performance standards (including, but not limited to productivity/personal responsibility, embracing a team player orientation, and maintaining a professional demeanor, etc.).
• Seek professional development opportunities and participate in related training opportunities as they become available.
• Model professional, appropriate behavior at all times.
• Other Duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education required; Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or active plan to obtain Master’s Degree preferred.
• New York State Certification required (B-2 or N-6).
• Experience with Early Childhood children (2-5 years old) required.
• Must be able to bend to a child’s level and lift a minimum of 40 pounds.

JOB DETAILS:

• Salary: $56,000-$68,652
• Union Position
• Location: 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, NY, 11362

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter directly to Jody Dickter at jdickter@commonpoint.org.

Due to the high volume of applications, only qualified candidates will be contacted for further consideration.

Commonpoint is an equal opportunity employer