SYLead Teacher

About Apple Tree

Apple Tree’s mission is to close the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten. We focus exclusively on Preschool and Pre-K education, providing free, full-day public charter school programming for three- and four-year-olds in 12 locations across Washington, DC, using our innovative Every Child Ready (ECR) instructional model. The model provides educators with tools for “What to Teach”, “How to Teach” and “How to Measure Success.”

It is also used with partners across the nation. We continuously test and improve this model using feedback from Apple Tree educators, partners and other stakeholders to ensure children learn and explore through play and appropriate instruction.

The Lead Teacher, with the support of a teaching team, is responsible for the growth and development of a classroom of students. The Lead Teacher uses knowledge of early childhood development, how young children learn, and scientifically based practice to provide instruction and support the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. Lead Teacher is a non-supervisory position and reports to the Principal.

This is an on-site position based in Washington, DC.

• Establish Rich And Engaging Physical Learning Environments
  • Create a safe, clean, thematically based, attractive and engaging centers-based classroom that encourages exploration and complex play
  • Ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for weekly plans and all components of the day, and inventory unit materials before and after each unit
  • Encourage children’s ownership and contributions to the classroom environment
• Support The Development Of Young Children
  • Plan adequate time for student talk and encourage children’s language use throughout the day
  • Plan and integrate instructional activities that promote understanding of how things work and the world around them into the thematic curriculum
  • Motivate students to participate in activities that support the development of early literacy skills
  • Implement activities that encourage children’s abilities to analyze, conceptualize, synthesize and evaluate
  • Provide modeling and support for children’s expressive and receptive language
  • Implement direct instructional opportunities and provide modeling and practice for social and emotional development
  • Plan and implement playful and engaging activities that support the development of these skills
• Collaborate with families and communities to support children’s development
  • Make connections with children’s family members and other important people in their lives
  • Invite parents and community members to share their skills, experiences and cultures in the classroom
  • Regularly communicate the school’s and individual children’s educational goals and progress to families
  • Support school-wide family engagement activities and participate in at least one family event each month
• Contribute To a Community Of Practice
  • Plan collaboratively and share ideas and resources with the instructional team
  • Share best practices with others across the network and with Apple Tree leadership
  • Participate on at least one site-wide committee
  • Provide feedback on instructional materials, school-wide practices and professional development/coaching
  • Support the professional development and growth of teaching assistants and help team members meet goals
  • Engage in school and network-based professional development opportunities
  • Incorporate coaching and feedback from regular observations by the Instructional Leader and Apple Tree Leadership Team
  • Communicate professionally with colleagues
  • Fulfill standards of professionalism including appropriate dress, attendance and timeliness
  • Participate in Kindergarten Transition processes and remain informed about local DCPS and public charter/private schools in the District (Pre-K teachers only)

Note
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The preceding description is not designed to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, reading, psychology, human development, early…