Reporting to the Early Care & Education (ECE) Leadership team member, the ECEAP Lead Teacher will work in a co-taught preschool setting alongside an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. The ECEAP Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and engaging educational setting for children whose ages range from three-five years in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Responsibilities include functional supervision and delegation of classroom responsibilities to Classroom Specialists, providing direct services and engaging with children in the classroom, as well as regular collaborative planning and follow-up, using program databases and tools. 

• Be able to observe center activities with accuracy in order to effectively supervise child interactions and behaviors. 
• Be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families. 
• Use sound judgment, self-control, emotional competence, and the ability to adjust cognitive patterns to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds, varying social-emotional skills, and behavioral challenges.

Essential Functions:

1. Co-plan and provide developmentally appropriate preschool lessons and activities.
2. Organize classroom environment to effectively promote safety and social-emotional learning.
3. Develop and implement behavior plans with children.
4. Organize and conduct parent conferences to address student progress and parent input.
5. Participate regularly in staff meetings, in-service training, coaching, and other professional development opportunities.
6. Build on children’s strengths and areas of interest, while helping them gain new skills with a focus on social emotional learning and self-regulation. 
7. Follow all ECE guidance techniques as well as classroom routines including snacks/meals, bathroom supports, cleaning, transportation supports and indoor/outdoor activities.
8. Implement trauma-informed practices and strategies.
9. Establish and maintain positive communication using collaborative methods to problem-solve and interact with families, children, and staff.
10. Work effectively alongside special education personnel, specialists, program support staff, and consultants to support the complex needs of young children.
11. Maintain all required records and child files in an accurate and timely manner, including daily observations, assessments and artifacts for child portfolios.

1. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the exchange of pertinent information.
2. Work as a team to focus on quality, responsive caregiving.
3. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field with at least 90 credits in ECE.
2. Three years of experience working with children in a preschool setting.
3. Experience working with children with complex needs including internalizing and/or externalizing behaviors.

1. Experience in an ECEAP or special education preschool setting.
2. Bilingual. 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

1. Work in a preschool environment with children with mental health challenges including internalizing  and/or externalizing behaviors.
2. Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling. Position involves physical mobility with or without reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions of the job.
3. Must possess the ability to lift and/or move materials necessary to meet requirements of essential functions of position, which includes exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects including the human body. 
4. Must be able to assist in physical behavioral interventions and/or facility evacuations in the event of an emergency.

1. Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program.
2. Successful completion of emergency procedure training prior to working in program.
3. Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required.
4. Valid pediatric and adult CPR certification prior to working in program.
5. Valid Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program.
6. Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program.
7. Initial health exam completed by medical provider showing you are free from communicable diseases.
8. Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program.
9. Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program.