Lead Teacher - $3,000 New Hire Signing Incentive

Want to be a DIFFERENCE MAKER? Join our team and BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES.

We are looking for teachers for our GSRP and Tuition-Based classrooms! (GSRP classrooms run during the schoolyear only from September-June)

WHY WORK FOR OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES?

We know that in order for you to do your best work and meet our mission, you must be able to be your best self. At Oakland Family Services (OFS), we care about our staff as people first .

We treat our team members like family and understand the importance of their families at home. We recognize the significance of flexibility and work / life balance.

We also know that your success is our success. That’s why OFS not only honors the talent and experience you bring; we actively seek to develop it.

Oakland Family Services has proudly been named a Top Workplace for nine (9) consecutive years, voted on by our own staff.

We offer a warm, engaging, equitable, supportive, and inclusive work environment.

ABOUT OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES

Oakland Family Services is a private, non-profit service organization serving our community and building brighter futures for more than 100 years.

We proudly offer a continuum of prevention, education and treatment services that span the human life cycle.

OUR MISSION : Providing individuals and families the opportunity to build brighter futures.

OUR VISION : Communities of thriving individuals and families.

Between our strong commitment to our mission and a workplace culture that puts our staff first, we enrich the lives of those we serve, strengthen families, and build brighter futures for those we serve and those we employ.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and HSA options.
• Retirement plan with a company match.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary short-term disability.
• Life insurance and AD&D.
• Malpractice insurance.
• Paid time off benefits, including generous vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement days.
• Twelve (12) paid holidays, including a floating holiday of your choice!
• Annual pay increases, as approved.
• Employee assistance program for you and immediate family.
• Network of support for your health & well-being.
• Verizon cellular plan discount.
• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
• Loan forgiveness programs.

PLUS...

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Family friendly practices and support.
• Flexible work schedules, as appropriate.
• Hybrid and virtual work options, as appropriate.
• Highly robust and comprehensive onboarding and training program.
• Paid professional development.
• Free online trainings that count toward continuing education credits.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Dress for Your Day approach to dress code.
• Financial literacy education and workshops.
• Collaborative annual performance appraisals.
• Casual for a Cause program for clients and staff in need.
• And more!
• Some benefits applicable to regular, full-time employees only.

WE KNOW CULTURE MATTERS

We spend many hours of our day working. Workplace culture affects our well-being, how we feel about coming to work, and how we perform .

Oakland Family Services prioritizes having a healthy, inclusive, equitable, and effective workplace culture . That’s why we proudly have ten (10) defined cultural value statements that dictate how we operate.

Cultural values are embedded into all we do and how we do it!

About the Opportunity / Work

RESPONSIBILITES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Lead Preschool Teacher is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of a classroom in Oakland Family Services' Children's Learning Center (CLC).

The teacher is responsible for the oversite and implementation of high quality, HighScope learning experiences for children, task supervision of support staff, daily lesson planning, interacting with parents and volunteers, record keeping, and other miscellaneous operations related to the Children's Learning Center Programming.

The position reports to the Early Childhood Education Supervisor.

SPECIFIC DUTIES / JOB EXPECTATIONS

• The specific duties include but are not limited to the following :
• Design, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate, engaging activities using the HighScope approach to learning with children.
• Maintain standards of quality as required by Great Start to Quality, NAEYC and COA accreditation.
• Maintain standards of State licensure including knowledge of all licensing rules and timely reporting of potential violations to both internal and external authorities.
• Maintain accurate records of the children's attendance, meal records, incident reports, medication and allergies and parent communication.
• Facilitate daily and weekly team planning meetings to create lesson plans, review COR and other assessment data, discuss classroom support needs and coordinate task responsibilities with the Assistant Teacher or other classroom support staff.
• Participate in the gathering of necessary data, the creation and the implementation of Behavioral Plans for identified children in conjunction with support from the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and / or site supervisor.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, training and feedback to assistant teacher(s) and the childcare assistant on teaching team.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, training, and feedback to the teaching team in areas of personal expertise.
• Collaborate with classroom teaching partners, supervisor and administrative team members on curriculum, student, and center needs.
• Schedule, plan, and conduct ASQ parent feedback meetings and minimum of two parent-teacher conferences per school year.
• schedule, plan and conduct two home visits with each Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) enrolled family.
• Create and maintain formal and informal communications with parents through daily interactions, weekly newsletters, program apps, emails and additional conferences as needed.
• Daily documentation of children's interactions and play through anecdotal notes.
• Oversee and review all anecdotal notes, classroom and other program documentation for completion and grammatical accuracy prior to submission.

This includes the review of the assistant teacher’s anecdotal notes.

• Assess children’s developmental progress using HighScope’s Child Observation Record (COR).
• Administer, score, and provide parental feedback on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE) and other Agency required assessments and screenings as needed.
• Collaborate, create, and oversee implementation of children’s behavioral support plans as needed.
• Planning and facilitate parent education programs.
• Track parent involvement and complete all required reporting.
• Create and maintain a clean, healthy, and esthetically pleasing classroom learning environment for children.
• Provide active supervision to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child.
• Request and inventory classroom materials and supplies.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, meetings, and other program and agency activities as required by licensing, accreditation, and other funding requirements.

Does This Describe YOU?

• Must possess one of the following :
• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with an Early Childhood endorsement (ZA / ZS)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development with emphasis in preschool teaching
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Two years of teaching experience preferred.
• Experience utilizing the HighScope approach preferred.
• Selected candidates for this position must possess a sensitivity to the diversity of the Agency’s service population including (but not limited to) differences of culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent communication skills that focus on positive and professional communication with parents and children.
• Utilization of positive classroom management techniques.
• Abilities and skills in the team approach to problem solving and task completion.
• Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the Agency also will be considered.

Any standard above may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.

Must meet criteria and eligibility requirements to be an authorized agency driver.

Oakland Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status