Job Description:
Position Summary
Ensure a well-run, purposeful program.  Respond appropriately to children’s needs. Assess supply and material needs. Build teamwork. Develop lesson plans. Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, nurturing learning environment.  Support play and exploration. Encourage creativity. Promote appropriate developmental expectations. Support social and emotional development. Manage classrooms according to Mineral Area Early Learning Academy standards and policies. Plan and implement activities to develop intellectual, physical, social, and emotional competence. Establish positive relationships with students, families, and staff. Commit to continuing education.
Key Performance Indicators

1. Design and implement programming to ensure full successful classes at all age levels
2. Maintain knowledge of and adhere to MAELA’s programs and policies
3. Ensure facilities are clean and safe
4. Train and mentor ELA staff
5. Maintain accurate records
6. Recommend and implement approved improvement ideas

Essential Functions
Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment by

1. Designing an appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and developmental level of the children in your classroom.
2. Making sure that the equipment in the classroom is in good repair.
3. Understanding and implementing, when necessary, MAELA emergency procedures.
4. Promoting healthy eating practices at lunch and snack time.
5. Understanding children are never to be left unattended.
6. Understanding that although spills are to be cleaned up immediately, major cleaning should not be done while the children are present.
7. Posting schedules that meet the children’s need for routing and learning.
8. Posting and adhering to MAELA hand washing and diaper changing policies.

Advancing physical and intellectual competence by

1. Adapting program activities to meet the individual needs of the children.
2. Creating a multi-cultural environment.
3. Knowledge of play-based curriculum; creating lesson plans and activities that follow the goals and objectives of the preschool curriculum and completing assessments on every child.
4. Making available a variety of developmentally appropriate materials.
5. Interacting with the children to support play, exploration, and learning.
6. Encouraging children to talk among themselves and with the teachers.
7. Presenting expectations that are appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level. 8. Creating a print-rich environment in which children learn about books, literature and writing.
8. Encouraging creativity through art, music, dramatic play, and blocks.
9. Providing a balance between teacher directed and child directed activities.
10. Providing for active and quiet play.

Experience
Education:
Associate’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood. The Mineral Area Early Learning Academy Lead Teacher must meet the state qualifications and National Standards for an early learning academy teacher.
Work Experience:
Experience and education in early childhood instruction.
Industry Knowledge:
Knowledge of local, state, and national early childhood regulations and standards. 

Benefits
Full-time employees of the Early Learning Academy operating on the Mineral Area College campus are members of the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri.  Full-time employees work 40 hours each week during the day Monday through Friday. Full-time ELA employees receive 7 paid holidays, two weeks of paid vacation – taken the week of July 4th and the week of Christmas; and 8 hours of PTO each month as detailed in the Early Learning Academy Employee Handbook. Full-time employees have Mineral Area College insurance group options including medical, dental, vision, life, ltd, ad&d, FSA, HSA, 403(b.)

Mineral Area College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender identity, disability, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic and family medical history as defined by GINA, or marital or parental status, in admission/access to, or treatment/employment in its programs and activities.

Please email your resume to HR@MineralArea.edu.

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