Lead Teacher, Widener Childhood Development Center

Widener University is currently seeking a Lead Teacher for the Widener Child Development Center. Reporting to the Director of the Widener Child Development Center, the Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning and implementation of high-quality instruction as well as the supervision and management of children and the assistant teacher in the room.

• Read and be accountable for WCDC policies, Department of Human Services regulations (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), and Quality Rating System Standards (Keystone Stars).
• Plan and facilitate the approved classroom curriculum to ensure engaging, age appropriate lessons are offered to students.
• Input weekly lesson plans into the online digital platform, Teach Strategies Gold.
• Provide positive reinforcement to students and model problem solving behavior and good communication skills. Treat all children with dignity and respect to allow for individual differences.
• Supervise all individuals in the room, including assistant teacher and Widener University students, to ensure appropriate and respectful student-teacher interactions.
• Work cooperatively with the assistant teacher to ensure he/she takes an active role in implementing and participating in all activities.
• Collaborate with Widener University field placement and work study students within a classroom setting, assign roles, and provide direction as to which activities to lead, which students to interact with, etc.
• Maintain required ratio and total awareness of children’s safety at all times; actively supervise and manage students at all times.
• Facilitate and maintain an environment that is safe, inviting, interesting, and stimulating for students.
• Maintain accurate records, including but not limited to, classroom attendance, illness and injury, and absences.
• Be accountable for leading classroom staff in emergency policies and procedures (Fire drill, weather drills, lockdown).
• Cultivate and maintain positive parent-teacher relationships; communicate with families on a daily basis via Brightwheel daily reports; send daily updates and pictures of students’ learning, check in with families as needed regarding individual students and absences.
• Acknowledge all parents, students, and visitors when entering and exiting the building each day.
• Take initiative in communicating with individual families via email or phone regarding any concerns or behaviors specific to individual students.
• Maintain written documentation and anecdotal notes of student progress to share with families during conferences twice a year; input data into online assessment platform Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Be proactive in attending and renewing all trainings according to licensing requirements, including, but not limited to 12 hours of childcare related trainings annually as required by DHS and Keystone STARS.
• Be proactive in managing challenging behaviors by implementing strategies and accommodations specific to individual students-sticker charts, behavior charts, visuals, etc.
• Maintain documentation; ABC charts, anecdotal records, and additional documentation as needed to address challenging behaviors.
• With Director’s support, maintain communication with individual student’s IEP teams; collaborate with assigned therapists and special instructors, attend IEP meetings to implement accommodations and differentiations.
• Engage in outside play with students encouraging gross motor movement, exploration, and creativity while on the playground.

• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Must be able to interpret and apply oral and written instruction.
• Ability to work collaboratively and exchange information with other staff and individuals from different departments on campus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be energetic and enthusiastic.
• Must be self-motivated, patient, and flexible.
• Ability to work well and relate to students of all backgrounds.
• Ability to plan and organize work independently.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and…