Lead Teacher

• Description Lead Teacher Department Therapeutic Preschool Created 6/22/2022 Reports to Assistant Clinical Director (Outpatient Services) Revised 9/20/2024 FLSA Status Non-exempt EEO - 1 Service Workers Position Type Full Time Travel Occasional travel within service area is required.
• Work Hours Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Positions Supervised None Summary The Lead Teacher provides education to severely emotionally disturbed children, using a combination of evidence based social emotional curriculum and activity-based learning opportunities to meet the needs of children.
• This position assists in planning and implementing effective treatment, guiding and teaching to provide quality care for each child’s social and emotional needs.
• Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Creates and maintains a safe and engaging preschool classroom environment.
• Responsible for maintaining the program’s compliance with KDHE preschool regulations.
• Monitors and assists classroom aides.
• Co-plans daily group curriculum and education with the Therapeutic Preschool Coordinator.
• Prepares supportive therapeutic activities and other classroom materials.
• Prepares weekly nutritious snack menus; stocks needed snack supplies.
• Assists with relationship building, appropriate expression of emotions and social interactions.
• Maintains communication with preschool families.
• Completes daily progress notes and record keeping pursuant to CrossWinds regulations and KDHE licensure requirements.
• Work Environment This job operates in a classroom setting, as well as in a professional office setting.
• This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• Physical Requirements 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.
• This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; handle objects; grasp and reach for items with hands and arms; manipulate hands and fingers; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
• The employee is required to become certified in Managing Aggressive Behaviors (MAB), which includes training in proper restraint/physical intervention techniques to be utilized as a last resort.
• The employee is also required to become certified in CPR First Aid, which involves the use of upper body strength and stamina in order to push hard and fast on the chest for at least two inches at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Language skills are required, including the ability to read, write, comprehend, and speak the English language.
• This position also requires the ability to interpret written materials, write reports and business correspondence, and effectively present and respond to questions.
• Important Information This job description has been examined for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The agency has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included.
• It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described.
• It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities.
• Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
• This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the agency reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the agency may deem appropriate.

Requirements

Skills & Abilities Education & Experience Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education from an accredited college or university is required. Must meet ONE of the following requirements: Five sessions of observation for no less than 2 ½ consecutive hours per observation in licensed preschool or childcare centers. AND one year of teaching experience in licensed centers or preschools, or one year of supervised practicum in licensed centers or preschools. Seven to nine semester hours of academic credit or equivalent training in child development or early childhood education AND three months’ teaching experience in licensed centers or preschools, or one year of supervised practicum in licensed centers or preschools. Certifications & Licenses Must complete Case Management Training and provide certificate within 6 months of hire. Computer Skills Computer experience in Microsoft Office programs and basic computer fluency. Additional Qualifications Ability to work with persons with serious emotional disturbance; ability to successfully lead and direct a team in an effort to support the agency mission; possess demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to react effectively in a variety of human service situations.