Principal Accountabilities: (essential job functions):

1. Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the physical, social, and emotional development of students with an emphasis on language development and emergent literacy skills.

2. Provide for the screening and preparation of children to fully participate in program services.  Participates as a member of the inter-disciplinary evaluation team with the ongoing evaluation and assessment as assigned. 

3. Establish instructional programs based on scientifically based reading research while working with the family to facilitate parent and child interactive activities.

4. Must demonstrate the ability to support the social and emotional development of children.

5. Provide activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving appropriate to the development levels of the children.

6. Model developmentally appropriate activities and positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.

7. Select books, equipment, and other instructional materials appropriate for the early childhood program.

8. Include materials and experiences in the classroom that are culturally appropriate and represent diversity.

9. Maintain attendance records of children participating in the Early Childhood Program in accordance with NM DOH-FIT Standards and Regulations.  Maintains individual records, i.e. daily notes, billing information, IFSP information, and evaluation reports, for all individuals and families consulting with, entering… assigned children, entering accurate information in a timely fashion.

10. Lead regularly scheduled Early Childhood team meetings.

11. Complies with standards of ethics established for the early childhood professionals.

12. Provides quality services to children and their families.

13. Maintains classroom in accordance with NM Children Youth and Families (CYFD) Licensure and Regulations.

14. Maintains expected level of efficiency.

15. Participates in community awareness campaign and distribution of public relations materials. 

16. Participates in departmental planning.

17. Communicates and works effectively with family members.

18. Delivers brochures and other materials such as developmental screenings to community providers.

19. Presents program in a positive manner to the public.

20. Complies with all applicable LifeROOTS policies and procedures.

21. Exercises personnel authority with respect to employment, training, salary changes, performance appraisals and termination of assigned staff members.

22. Responsible for participation in the company’s quality improvement program and ensures that all department-applicable quality improvement requirements are fulfilled.

23. Responsible for participation in the company’s financial management and ensures that all department-applicable fiscal responsibilities are fulfilled.

24. Responsible for participation in the company’s Health and Safety program and ensure that all department-applicable safety requirements are fulfilled.

25. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Children’s and Therapy Services Manager.

    Essential Skills and Experience:

    1. Minimum:  Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education, experience teaching in early childhood education.

    2. Bilingual desirable.

    3. Experience working with Early Intervention programs, specifically NM DOH-FIT a plus.

    4. Special Education background advantageous.

    5. Participation in recent continuing education programs related to Children’s and Therapy Services, per licensing requirements.