Job title: Early Learning Specialist
Company: Lutheran Services Florida
Job description: #nowhiring

• $3000 Sign on Bonus

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Teacher I who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact:

The purpose of the Teacher I is to serve as lead worker in the classroom. Performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for pre-school aged children or infants/toddlers in the Head Start/Early Heart Start Program.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre-school age children or infants and toddlers.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory.
• Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports.
• Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of a variety of formal documents.
• Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards.
• Conducts Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.
• Performs quality staff-child interactions.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom.
• Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related degree.

Experience: Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Skills:

• Working knowledge of brain development and its impact on early learning.
• Working knowledge of child development birth to age five for typical and atypical children.
• Working knowledge of culture and practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Working knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in the application of supervisory techniques.
• Skill in verbal communication with infants