Lead Teacher, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute

The Program Lead Teacher plans and manages a state-funded preschool classroom for four-year-old children, ensuring alignment with Michigan Department of Education (MDE), National Association Accreditation Standards and licensing standards including planning and developing an engaging, age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate early childhood curricula, developing weekly lesson plans, organizing programs based upon knowledge of child development and individual needs of children, supervising classroom staff, coaching and mentoring College of Education early childhood education students during their clinical experience at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center, as well as work study students and student assistants, recording and maintaining student records, assessing, tracking and documenting children’s progress and achievement using authentic child assessment methods, conducting home visits and parent-teacher conferences.

The position reports to the Manager, Early Childhood Center.

Essential Functions

• Implement developmentally appropriate early childhood curricula with an established number of preschool children at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center; develop weekly lesson plans, organize programs based upon knowledge of child development and individual needs of children; design and deliver age-appropriate lessons using The Project Approach.
• Conduct team planning sessions with classroom staff at established intervals to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and plan strategies for children.
• Work collaboratively with the teaching team, children, families, researchers, and staff to carry out the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center's mission and philosophy as outlined by the Center Director and Executive Director.
• Record and maintain student records; assess, track and document children’s progress and achievement using authentic child assessment methods; monitor child growth and collect developmental data using the child assessment tool Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Participate in staff development activities and weekly staff meetings.
• Communicate with families in various formats including individual daily contacts, childcare management software, parent/staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and newsletters.
• Obtain resources for children with developmental needs or delays.
• Participate in periodic performance reviews and annual evaluation with the center director.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.