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Lead Teacher

Fortress
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POSITION: Lead Teacher

REPORTS TO: Assistant Program Director and Director of Programs and Impact

STATUS: Full-time non-exempt, 40-hrs/week (100% Program)

SCHEDULE: On-site Monday-Friday, shifts scheduled between 6:30am-6:00pm

COMPENSATION: $15.00-$18.00/hour


JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead Teachers are responsible for the overall supervision and functions of a group of students enrolled in Fortress’s preschool, after school, or summer programs. Teachers are placed according to their strengths and the needs of the organization and may work with groups ranging in age from infants to 4 years. Lead Teachers work with the direct support of an assistant teacher and under the supervision of the Assistant Director. The Lead Teacher performs their duties with the goal of providing high-quality academic and social-emotional instruction in order to fulfill the organization’s mission. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide constant supervision of the classroom and active engagement with students, in accordance with state licensing guidelines.
  • Accept responsibility for the maintenance of a healthy and nurturing classroom environment, including ensuring appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of students.
  • Encourage and model social behaviors and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
  • Build secure and loving relationships with students, appropriately balancing structure and nurture.
  • Arrange and maintain a physical learning environment that meets the changing needs of students.
  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, and activities in accordance with weekly themes to actively engage students and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth.
  • Adapt teaching methods and materials to meet the interests and learning styles of the students.
  • Utilize technology, art, music, nature, and other sensory-rich mediums to enhance learning and develop students’ natural curiosity.
  • Implement behavioral and classroom management practices using trauma-informed techniques.
  • Supervise and support teacher assistants and classroom volunteers to ensure they are following planned activities, hygiene and safety standards.
  • Communicate effectively with parents, by greeting them by name, addressing concerns in a timely manner, giving positive feedback, and providing regular updates on their child’s development and classroom happenings.
  • Participate in parent-teacher conferences as needed.
  • Complete required paperwork and documentation, including attendance, incident reports, daily reports, and ongoing student assessments.
  • Be well-versed in HHS Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, maintaining licensing compliance and center policies within classroom and work areas.
  • Assess each student's developmental needs on an ongoing basis and respond to assessments by differentiating lessons and curriculum.
  • Assist with daily school pickup by riding the bus to and from the local elementary school located 0.2 miles from the facility.
  • Maintain annual training and continuing education requirements, including professional certifications.
  • Participate in assigned staff meetings and training.
  • Participate in occasional “all hands on deck” days, such as community engagement and fundraising events.
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

  • Personal Qualifications
    • Mature Christian with a passion for the mission and goals of Fortress.
    • Meets the Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) qualifications, which requires that caregivers:
      • Be 18 years of age or older;
      • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent;
      • Pass a criminal background check; and
      • Comply with Texas HHS Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers.
    • Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with leadership, staff, parents, community partners, and a variety of volunteers.
    • Demonstrates dependability through good attendance, resourcefulness and ability to take initiative in development and completion of projects in adherence to timelines and schedules.
    • Bonus: Personal and professional pursuit of racial and economic justice, or lived experience facing those injustices.
  • Educational & Experiential Qualifications
    • Non-expired CDA or an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or other related fields. (required) -Or- The willingness and ability to start a CDA program within 60 days of hire and complete it within 8 months of hire
  • At least 3 years of experience teaching in a licensed preschool setting, especially in communities experiencing urban or generational poverty. (required)
  • Experience using and adapting curriculums to align with developmental standards and meet the needs of students. Experience with FrogStreet curriculum is a plus.
  • Experience using trauma-informed classroom management methods, such as Conscious Discipline or Trust-Based Relational Intervention.
  • Bonus: Training in, or professional or lived experience with, generational poverty or complex developmental trauma.
  • Bonus: Teaching experience in a preschool or child care center that is recognized as a Texas Rising Star program or has a nationally recognized accreditation in early childhood education.
  • Skills & Abilities Qualifications
  • Great interpersonal skills with children, including the ability to effectively demonstrate both nurturing care and relational structure.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups of children, as well as provide one-on-one instruction.
  • Ability to make evaluative judgments in high-stress situations involving classroom management and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Proficient with a computer, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint) and Google applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets). 
  • Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to meet regular deadlines.
  • Excellent time management and a self-starter attitude.
  • Bonus: Bilingual in English and Spanish.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • The majority of this role is in direct programs working with students of a variety of ages. 
  • The position involves a high degree of physical activity, including but not limited to: frequent movement, squatting, and other activities which require full range of motion; prolonged periods of standing; and the ability to regularly lift children weighing up to 40 lbs.
  • This position involves frequent outdoor activities for 60-90 minutes per day in weather conditions ranging from 32°F to 100°F.
  • This position involves contact with bodily fluids, most frequently through changing diapers, wiping noses, or applying bandages. Fortress follows all state health guidelines involving the safe handling and disposal of bodily fluids, including requiring changing gloves and sanitizing all surfaces and hands after any contact with bodily fluids.
  • The vast majority of this role occurs on-site at Fortress’s facility. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Candidates with lived experience facing economic or racial injustice are strongly encouraged to apply. Fortress does not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. We reserve the right to inquire about and screen for religious affiliation and faith practices as a bona fide occupational requirement, as allowed by federal law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

BENEFITS

  • 2 weeks of PTO plus holidays
  • Up to 8 weeks of parental leave (after one year of employment)
  • Enrollment in a telehealth plan (this is not insurance)
  • Reduced-tuition enrollment for your children (when space is available)
  • Paid professional development (including CDA re-certification)
  • Complimentary lunch (we eat what our kiddos eat!)
  • A work environment that encourages honest feedback (even when it’s tough), seeks progress toward racial and social equity, and upholds values aligned with the teachings of Jesus.

CORE VALUES

Our team is dedicated to upholding a core set of values which define our organization and align with our overall mission. At Fortress, we are:

  • United in Christ
  • Equity Oriented
  • Learning Centered
  • Trauma Informed
  • Unflinchingly Bold
  • Rooted in Empathy
  • Entrepreneurial yet Disciplined

To learn more about our work culture, core values, and faith practices – and to apply! – visit www.fortressfw.org/hiring.