Lead Teacher 3-5: Columbus Classroom E at SEK-CAP in Columbus, KS

Reports to: Center Manager Department: Early Childhood Services

Classification: Full-time Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Teacher for ages 3–5 is responsible for ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate services for children and families in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards and state childcare guidelines. This role provides leadership and supervision to classroom staff, fosters a positive and nurturing learning environment, and oversees curriculum planning and implementation. The Lead Teacher collaborates with families and community partners to support school readiness and social-emotional development, manages compliance with program policies and licensing requirements, and ensures accurate data reporting. Additional responsibilities include conducting home visits and conferences, supporting staff through training and reflective supervision, and maintaining health, safety, and emergency preparedness standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leadership and Supervision

• Provide daily leadership, supervision, and modeling of best practices for center staff and volunteers.
• Offer regular supervision and support through reflective supervision, training, and performance appraisals.
• Directly supervise Assistant Teacher and Aide positions and cross-train for all center roles.
• Facilitate and plan classroom team meetings, guiding problem-solving and ensuring service delivery.
• Serve as the first line of communication with classroom staff.

Program Implementation and Compliance

• Promote excellence and ensure daily program operations that support quality services for children and families, while fostering a thriving environment for all staff.
• Implement and maintain Policies and Procedures and Programs which include the following: Head Start Performance Standards, KDHE Licensing, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Personnel Manual, Social/Emotional strategies, Reflective Supervision, ERSEA, APRICOT, Frog Street, Cognitive ToyBox, and recruitment plans to ensure compliance.
• Responsible for requesting, ordering, or purchasing items needed for classroom through database.
• Support management decisions both in actions and words.
• Other duties as assigned.

Classroom and Child Development Oversight

• Utilize Social/Emotional strategies to prevent and reduce challenging behavior.
• Model for staff and families the appropriate ways to engage with children 3-5 years old.
• Obtain and share knowledge of theories and techniques regarding Early Childhood development.
• Basic care for the needs of children including but not limited to toileting, family style meals, and daily routines.
• Engage with children in ways that support their language development, learning, and overall growth.
• Demonstrate patience and understanding based on each child's developmental level.
• Ensure active supervision of children using indoor/outdoor zoning.
• Participate in and guide children through mealtime routines, including family style meals and cafeteria transitions.
• Create and implement developmentally appropriate weekly lesson plans individualizing for children’s needs by using observations and information from Cognitive ToyBox.
• Set up a developmentally appropriate classroom based on Head Start Performance Standards-using Frog Street, Social/Emotional supports and other identified strategies identified by Center Manager, Center Supervisor and Head Start Management Team as needed.
• Screen and observe the developmental level of each child by making appropriate referrals to the local Special Education Services.
• Individualize teaching to enable children to attain school readiness and social emotional goals with the assistance of families.

Family and Community Engagement

• Conduct two educational home visits and two parent teacher conferences throughout the program year.
• Work cooperatively with Family Services and other professionals.
• Be responsible for ensuring communication between early childhood resources and the families that we serve (Examples: Nutrition, health, and special services).
• Lead teacher works directly with Family Advocate to ensure recruitment hours are being achieved and any volunteer hours are documented.
• Model for staff appropriate ways to engage with families.
• Provide information from Cognitive ToyBox reports during parent teacher conferences, home visits and/or upon request of parent.
• Ensure parents/primary caregivers are informed of all policies included in the Parent Handbook.
• Develop relationships with education and administrative staff at local schools to ensure smooth transitions to new educational settings for all Head Start children.
• Participate in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings for assigned children with special needs while taking the role of resource person and parent advocate.

Data Management

• Responsible for completion of data entry in agency approved data system.
• Complete necessary forms and documentation relevant to program and staff management.

Training and Professional Development

• Participate in mental health clinical consultations to support staff, enrolled children, and their families.
• Attend mandatory In-Service trainings and staff meetings.
• Be available to travel within agency area and occasional out-of-area trips for training and professional development.

Health, Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Identify children’s nutritional needs, ensure that children’s allergy/dietary information is located in the kitchen, Classroom Support Guide, and inform all necessary staff.

• Assess children and help support staff and families to conduct developmental and social emotional screenings.

• Responsibility to report any suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authority.

• Follow all emergency procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff during drills or real incidents.

• Ability to work unconventional business hours.

Professional Expectations

• Maintain regular, reliable attendance to ensure consistency and safety for children.
• Collaborate with classroom staff to maintain a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.
• Demonstrate professionalism by actively advocating for SEK-CAP, Inc. within the community and serving as a strong advocate for Head Start children and families.
• Respect and support cultural differences and diverse family structures while maintaining strict confidentiality and privacy of all those involved with SEK-CAP. Through these actions, the Lead Teacher upholds the agency’s mission and fosters trust, inclusivity, and positive relationships with families and the community.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with co-workers, community partners, and customers.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic by adhering to schedules, following supervision directives, and complying with all agency policies and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Basic computer skills, must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, data entry, email and digital calendars

• Basic operation skills of general office equipment such as photocopiers, faxes, and phone systems.

• Superior interpersonal skills. Ability to get along with diverse personalities. Tactful, mature, and flexible.

• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the public and to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.

• Resourceful and well organized.

• Ability to learn and adapt.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Degree in related field with 15 hours in Early Childhood education, or minimum Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or degree in related field with 15 hours in Early Childhood.
• 3-5 years of experience working with young children in a classroom setting preferred.
• Be eligible to obtain KDHE program approval.
• Obtain and uphold current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Submit to and pass standard criminal history check.
• Possess current, valid driver’s license and meet agency insurance underwriting guidelines.
• Successfully complete a physical exam and TB skin test before beginning employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch as needed throughout the day.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• The work environment may include occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions, outdoor weather, and temperature extremes such as heat and cold. The noise level is generally quiet to moderate but can be loud.

Other:

• Layoff is dependent upon agency’s need or availability of work.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Disability Insurance
• Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Training
• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

SEK-CAP, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.