Early Childhood Specialist - Temple, United States - Temple Independent School District

Description

I. INTRODUCTION

The incumbent in this position serves as a Early Childhood Specialist for the Temple Learning Center which is governed by the Temple Independent School District.

The mission of this organization is to provide a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children in our care.

This employee is responsible for assisting the Child Development Center Director by implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum and a positive classroom environment for the children enrolled therein.

The employee is also responsible for teaching activities which relate to meeting the Enrichment Center's mission.

The tasks for the Early Childhood Specialist will be accomplished in accordance with the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS), Child Care Management Services (CCMS), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Temple Independent School District (TISD) regulations, guidelines, and policies.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Child Development Center Director and Program Assistant this employee will:

• Plan, coordinate and implement effective and developmentally appropriate activities in written format of lesson plan,
• Provide active and positive participation and modeling in assigned classroom and outdoor activities. Ensure that co-teachers and volunteers do the same.
• Provide positive guidance and instruction to all children through a calm and respectful approach. Plan, prepare and implement on-going, hands on classroom activities that contribute to the care, growth, education, safety, and development of the children and their families in accordance with DHHS, TDPRS, NAEYC, CCS, TLC and TISD regulations, guidelines and policies.
• Plan and organize work and classroom activities. Set developmental goals for individual children and maintain accurate daily records of children's activities.
• Interact positively with parents throughout the year. Promote family well being. Coordinate with the center Director to identify family interests, needs and goals. Encourage parent involvement in the classroom. Ensure that the concerns of each child and family are identified and addressed.
• Exercise effective and responsible leadership and management of classroom volunteers or college lab students to anticipate and meet changing program and center goals and objectives. Maintain effective and positive working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates. Communicate in a positive way with all employees and seek solutions to misunderstandings and problems.
• Portray a positive image of TISD / TLC within the community.
• Maintain a physical environment in the classroom that conforms to DHHS, TDPRS, CCMS, NAEYC, TLC, and TISD standards of health, safety, and cleanliness, and that is conducive to the optimal growth and development of the children. Report all potential safety hazards to the Center Director immediately.
• Ensure and maintain the health requirements and reporting of those requirements on each child in your assigned classroom in accordance with DHHS, TDPRS, CCMS, NAEYC, TLC, and TISD policies.
• Attend and participate in training and teacher workdays, and exhibit a continuous commitment to professional growth and development as outlined in the TLC Policy Handbook. Early Childhood Specialists must maintain EC Teacher qualifications and maintain a minimum of 30 training hours per year.
• Maintain all classroom records and postings as required by DHHS, TDPRS, CCMS, NAEYC, TLC, and TISD regulations, requirements, and policies.
• Monitor the safe arrival zone and departure zone on a daily basis at the center as well as during field trips and other program-sponsored activities to ensure the well being of the children.
• Prepare child assessment reports as outlined in the TLC Policy Handbook. Attend parent meetings as recommended.
• All other duties as assigned.

III. EDUCATION, TRAINING, SKILLS

• Employee must have a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of 6 months experience in childcare or a related field and,
• Have a Child Development Associates Credential or
• Be enrolled in college coursework working towards CDA credential or higher degree in Child Development or
• Complete additional training as set forth by the Director with the intention of enrolling in CDA coursework at the next available opportunity, not to exceed one year from start date.
• Be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children or attain certification in both within two months of employment.
• Obtain a TB skin test.
• Submit to criminal history check through the DPRS.
• Submit to FBI fingerprinting by DPRS.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize multiple tasks and projects.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate data reporting and maintain confidentiality on child, family and program information.
• Possess team-oriented leadership abilities and a spirit of cooperation toward all program staff, clients, and community members.
• Be able to mentally and physically participate in all classroom and center activities with young children.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Employee must be able to stand for long periods, climb stairs, kneel,

Stoop, sit on the floor with the children, lift up to 40 lbs., and walk as required to complete duties.

Also the employee may be required to sit for scheduled periods of time and interact with children using the computer.

II. CHARACTERISTICS

Employee must possess effective written and verbal communication skills, a pleasant and courteous demeanor, mature judgement and the ability to work as part of a team.