Early Childhood Educator

Company Description St. John’s Lutheran Church CDC is a community-centered childcare and early education program serving families in Salisbury, NC. The center provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young children, with a focus on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. St. John’s Lutheran Church CDC emphasizes strong partnerships with families and caregivers to support each child’s unique needs. The organization values compassion, integrity, and respect, and is committed to high-quality early childhood education rooted in care for the whole child.

We are looking for an early childhood educator (lead teacher).

• Support the mission, vision, and core values of the CDC.
• Develop positive relationships with parents, children, families and staff
• Coordinate and implement adopted educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.
• Provide children with Christian based education including praying before meals, sharing bible stories, and supporting Christian values.
• Lead by example; encourage teaching partner success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive, and emotional growth.
• Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Ensure all center policies and state regulations are met.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment- including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Supervise and provide feedback to teacher assistants, floaters, and classroom volunteers to ensure they are following planned activities, hygiene, and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records, forms, and files.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Attend trainings as required.
• Supervise children in your care at all times (classroom/playground/walks, etc.)
• Responsible for maintaining licensing requirements in your classroom at all times.
• Responsible for reporting developmental and behavioral concerns to administration.
• Complete all required paperwork accurately and according to schedule/due dates.
• Ensure classroom equipment is clean and well maintained at all times.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings.
• Develop and implement techniques to assist children with self-regulation and classroom behaviors.
• Other duties as needed and/or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Minimum of 2 years of professional child care experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills.
• High-energy and the ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Be mentally and physically cleared by a physician to work with children
• Obtain and maintain NC Child Care Qualifying Letter
• Clear TB test
• Clear drug test

Education and Training

• Associates degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Successful completion of EDU 119 required.
• Must maintain Lead Teacher designation as determined by the State of NC.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time throughout the day with intermittent periods of sitting, walking, and occasional bending.
• Frequent to occasional lifting of children and/or objects up to 50 pounds.
• Dexterity requirements range from coordinated movements of fingers and hands to simple movements of feet, legs, and torso as necessary to carry out job duties.