Classroom and ELC Community:

• Plan and implement high quality inclusive early childhood programs that support the cognitive, physical, and social emotional development of the children and are:
  • Aligned with the goals and philosophy of the Inclusive Early Childhood Education in HDFS.
  • Consistent with Delaware Early Learning Foundations.
  • Recommended curriculum which includes Early Head Start Performance Standards (Infant and Toddler Programs) and the NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation (all programs).
• Provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences that reflect the current research base for children of all abilities, family contexts, cultures, and individual interests.
• Create and maintain inclusive environments that support development and learning for children of all abilities, family contexts, cultures, and individual interests.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with families to develop shared goals for children's progress and to ensure frequent two-way communication to maximize children's development.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with Early Learning Center colleagues to maximize children's development.
• Participate in IFSP/IEP meetings and consultations with community therapists to support the unique needs of children with diagnosed serviceable disabilities in an inclusive classroom setting.
• Maintain ongoing documentation and assessment (observation and developmentally appropriate tools) of children's development and program effectiveness. Use assessment data to inform instructional practice.
• Conduct Parent/Teacher conferences and home visits as required by age group department.
• Comply with DE licensing requirements, Delaware Stars for Early Success, Early Head Start National Performance Standards (Infant and Toddler Teachers only), and all accreditation criteria established by the NAEYC.
• Maintain classrooms following health and safety policies of the ELC and DE licensing requirements; practice universal precautions and infection control.
• Practice confidentiality in all matters related to staff and families as well as proprietary information regarding the operation of the ELC.
• Maintain communication with Assistant/Associate Director to keep her/him informed about overall classroom operation.

Support UD Academic and Research Programs:

• Maintain a flexible classroom framework that provides supported learning opportunities for UD students assigned to the Early Learning Center for clinical experiences, internships, student teaching, and research activities.
• Provide mentoring and support to UD students in clinical experiences, internships, student teaching, and research activities.
• Complete all required evaluations of UD students in clinical experiences, internships, student teaching, and research activities.
• Provide professional, detailed and timely feedback to faculty concerning UD students in clinical experiences, internships, student teaching, and research activities.
• Maintain all classroom records as well as records required by research projects, clinical and student teaching placements, and any grant requirements.

Leadership, Professional Learning and Growth:

• Utilize tools as chosen by the ELC (i.e., ITERS, ECERS, peer observations) to evaluate classroom environments, interactions, and materials to inform professional goals and classroom changes.
• Monitor Classroom Assistant performance, recommending any necessary changes and supporting improved performance through coaching and mentoring.
• Actively participate in ELC Committees, leadership teams, study groups, and other opportunities to improve the program collaboratively and continually.
• Develop annual professional development goals and participate in ongoing professional development aligned with those goals to advance own knowledge and skills related to current developments in the early education field.
• Attend all meetings and trainings hosted by the Early Learning Center & New Directions Early Head Start (Infant and Toddler Teachers only).
• Comply with ELC Departmental Policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or other related discipline, plus three months of supervised student teaching or 12 months experience working with children in a group setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Must be flexible and willing to work in a suburban and/or inner city setting that supports clinical placements, internships, student teachers and research activities.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires compliance with Delaware regulations including applicable laws and regulations - as well as National Accreditation criteria (NAEYC).
• Successful completion of criminal background check, child protection and adult abuse registry checks, health examination and TB test.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.