Job Summary

Provide leadership to daily functioning of one classroom within the Child Development Laboratory (CDL) program, by coordinating, planning and implementing programming for a preschool or childcare classroom at the facility.

Curriculum Development & Assessment:
-Collaborate with CDL administrators and other staff members in the development and implementation of a coherent school philosophy and program for young children.
-Provide leadership in planning for classroom programming by designing training and leading discussion at bi-weekly developmental meetings with assistant teachers, with a focus on child development, informal assessments, observation and documentation methods, and how this informs planning and implementation.
-Plan and develop curricula based on developmental assessments, and direct the implementation of programming in an early childhood classroom. Program must include appropriate activities promoting the intellectual, socio-emotional, and physical development of enrolled children.
-Conduct developmental assessments, both formal and informal, of each child in an early childhood classroom.
-Communicate developmental progress and problems of individual children and the class as a whole to the Associate Director on a regular basis.
-Develop objectives and goals for individual children and communicate these to other staff members, student interns, volunteers and parents.
-Ensure daily communication and cooperation with parents of enrolled children; counsel parents on an as needed basis regarding progress and problems.
-Report developmental progress and concerns to children's parents twice per year through parent-teacher conferences and written documentation.
-Prepare and publish weekly lesson plans specifying activities for children based on developmental needs and established goals.
-Maintain records of children's developmental progress and problems, based on classroom observations, formal and informal assessments, and interactions.

Lab School Mission:
-Work collaboratively with the Associate Director and Director to facilitate research, demonstration and training projects within the classroom.
-Monitor interactions between researchers and children to support child participation in activities and ensure opportunities for collection of valid research data.
-Ensure adherence to proscribed research protocols to safeguard well-being of children.
-Participate in all teacher-focused research projects.
-Provide information and insight to researchers developing protocols and procedures during the development of research proposals.
-Facilitate undergraduate and graduate student intern placements.
-Work with instructors to provide classroom experiences for student interns that are appropriate for course requirements and in keeping with program philosophy and implementation practices.
-Via daily training and weekly group meetings, communicate to student interns a) program goals and objectives, b) operational and planning procedures, c) appropriate expectations and guidance techniques, d) classroom schedules and emergency procedures, e) their classroom responsibilities; and provide a forum for them to discuss concerns/issues related to classroom programming and child guidance.
-Provide students with written evaluative feedback and in-person communication regarding personal and professional competence in the classroom.
–Review, evaluate and oversee implementation of student planned activities on a weekly basis.
-Review, evaluate and provide feedback on written developmental anecdotes.
-Conduct formal mid-term and final evaluations for each student intern assigned to the classroom.
-Coordinate and oversee non-traditional class projects and volunteer opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
-Report progress and concerns to course instructors and administrators as needed regarding performance of student interns.
-Participate in outreach activities within the local, state, and national early childhood communities.

Adult Supervision:
-Provide direct supervision, training and feedback to assistant teachers, student staff and volunteers on a daily basis.
-Report progress and concerns regarding assistant teacher and student staff performance to the Associate Director.
-Evaluate performance of and provide written performance reviews for assistant teachers on no less than an annual basis.
-Implement, supervise, or delegate health and safety procedures, and maintain standards outlined in DCFS licensing and accreditation criteria.
-Ensure that classroom staff understand and follow guidelines regarding the appropriate use and care of classroom equipment and materials.

Daily Caregiving Routines:
-Ensure the physical needs of enrolled children (such as supervising feeding, naps, and other related activities) are met.

Program Wide Activities:
-Participate in staff meetings with other CDL head teachers and administrators to identify issues and concerns and evaluate classroom status relating to program philosophy, program implementation, licensing standards and accreditation criteria; ensure the implementation of changes as needed to maintain such standards.
-Participate in professional development as specified in DCFS licensing regulations and accreditation standards.

Minimum Qualifications

B.S. in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or closely related field. Experience in preschool and/or day care teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or closely related field.