S Childhood Lead Teacher

Overview

Reports to:

Director of Early Childhood Education. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents, serving a diverse group of students with an inquiry-based curriculum. The school aims to become a national leader in teacher preparation, support, and student education, located in Washington, DC.

Early Childhood Teachers facilitate a play-based learning environment. In PreK classrooms, students develop a love of learning and foundational social and academic skills. In Kindergarten, students thrive in a play-based environment while being introduced to standards for literacy and math. Classrooms are text, numeracy, and sensory rich, integrating art and physical movement. Families are engaged as partners, with ongoing communication and education events to align home and school expectations and support young children’s development within the school’s progressive approach.

The Early Childhood Lead Teacher is responsible for the following:

• Plan and document high-quality instruction using the school’s lesson planning tool, aligned with the school’s mission and philosophy; the five core elements of teaching (joy; evidence of learning; purpose, persistence and action; student as expert; mutual respect); intentional, well-designed curricula approved by the school; and nationally-normed standards (Common Core, NGSS, C3 Framework, etc.).
• Understand students’ needs and strengths, develop cultural competence, study child development theory and brain research, and keep current with student IEPs, 504s, and BIPs.
• Access high-quality resources and materials beyond the school campus.
• Demonstrate solid knowledge of concepts in each discipline taught.

• Draw from Responsive Classroom, Restorative Justice, and Relationship-based discipline to manage behavior and provide a safe, optimal learning environment.
• Monitor students in diverse settings (classroom, cafeteria, playground, hallways, restrooms, field trips, etc.).
• Build on the Community Expectations (Everyone Learns, Everyone is Safe, Everyone Builds the Community, Everyone is Welcome) to reflect the school’s mission and philosophy.
• Maintain a safe and orderly classroom with organized supplies, materials and technology, with consistent practices across the school.

• Engage with feedback from principals and coaches; adopt a teacher-as-learner stance when working with colleagues, special education staff, and assistants/residents.
• Communicate the purpose of instruction clearly and age-appropriately to students and families.
• Engage students with different levels of questions and discussion prompts.
• Facilitate student-centered, high-quality instruction aligned with Planning and Preparation.
• Utilize a workshop model to teach reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Differentiate using multiple strategies to engage students.
• Use a wide range of assessments to inform teaching practice and planning and monitor student growth.
• Incorporate developmentally appropriate, culturally competent, research-based strategies into teaching and assessment.
• Integrate problem-solving and literacy strategies into daily routines.
• Differentiate formative assessments (independent practice, homework, exit tickets, etc.).
• Collaborate with special education team members, MLL specialists, and teaching assistants when applicable.

• Complete professional responsibilities on time and in line with school procedures; this includes lesson/unit plans, assessments, data collection and entry, report cards, discipline documentation, and policy adherence; attend meetings; implement policies for students and families; and perform other professional tasks.
• Build strong relationships and open communication with families; contribute to a collaborative, inquiry-based school culture.
• Participate in regular, school-based professional development.
• Participate in school events outside of school hours (e.g., Student Learning Showcases).
• Respond to inquiries from various sources to resolve issues and provide information.
• Follow all school and employee…