GPCA Overview
Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance (GPCA) is a deeply-embedded neighborhood-based nonprofit agency serving nearly 8,000 children, youth, adults, and families in the Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia. Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance is a multi-purpose social service agency emphasizing education and skill-building while providing early childhood education as an integral function of its mission to serve Point Breeze’s low-income community. Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance has been providing a comprehensive array of services to children and adults in the Point Breeze neighborhood of South Philadelphia for over a century. Services include:
- For young children: Early childhood education
- For school-age youth: Out-of-school time programming (after school and summer camp); and case management for at-risk youth
- For adults: Employment training, parenting education, energy assistance programs, housing counseling programs, and financial literacy; and
- For the community at large: Affordable housing and community economic development
GPCA has been a leader in early childhood education for 42 years. GPCA's childcare centers are nationally recognized and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC sets the standard for quality early education with rigorous requirements and regulations regarding programming, staffing, and family and community involvement. GPCA's centers have also obtained a Keystone STAR 4
ratings. The Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s program to improve the quality of early learning. It is a voluntary program that recognizes Department of Public Welfare (DPW) regulated child care providers who exceed state health and safety certification requirements. The Keystone STARS is a nationally recognized quality rating system beginning at STAR One, then progressing up through Two, Three, and Four.
Position Overview:
The Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining the daily operations of the assigned classroom and the supervision of children and support persons. There will be occasions when the application of duties for this position will extend beyond the normal physical structure of the center. There will be times when some lifting of objects and children may be necessary. This position requires the person to perform written documentation of activities, incidents/accidents, as well as, conversations with parents and student behavior.
Key Responsibilities:
- Actively engage with the children in order to provide guidance as they learn and process information.
- The teacher cares for the children in his/her assigned group to meet their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
- The teacher is responsible for the daily operation and management of the classroom, the supervision of assigned staff and volunteers, the writing of lesson plans and assessments of children, and the completion of reports in accordance with predetermined schedules.
- The teacher must insure the maintaining of standards in accordance to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Human Services, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Pennsylvania Keystone Stars and any other governing bodies.
- The teacher creates, implements, and executes lesson plans based on the developmental needs and assessments of children.
- Provide lesson plans and activities that allow choices that stimulate creativity in children.
- Keeps the classroom clean, neat, safe and inviting.
- Must maintain separate anecdotal records in each child’s folder along with their L.A.P., IPP/IEP and any other pertinent information.
- Communicate with parents, children, co-workers, and community persons in a cordial and professional manner.
- When applicable, make home visits with parents.
- Provide routine information to parents concerning their children (accidents, activities, problematic concerns and health issues). Discuss unusual/severe concerns/problems with Center Management.
- Participate in monthly meetings in order to discuss concerns about a child’s developmental growth and to develop a prescriptive plan.
- At semi-annual parent-teacher conferences, information will be exchanged in reference to the child’s progress.
- Map out a schedule for the distribution of the classroom duties and schedule for breaks.
- Maintain the daily roll book and food forms according to established rules and procedures.
- Keep Center Management abreast of all needs, concerns and issues regarding the children, parents and staff.
- Supervise and mentor Paraprofessionals within their space.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned by Center Management.
Professional Development/Training Requirements:
- 24 PQAS hours per school year
- Competition of the following trainings are required:
- Health & Safety
- Mandated Reporter
- CPR & First Aide
- Fire Safety
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
Other related skills: The ability to communicate with all levels of the organization and with other service providers is essential.
Minimum Education and Experience
BA or BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE) along with two years of experience teaching young children.
Work Locations
WESTERN LEARNING CENTER DIXON LEARNING ACADEMY - 1613 SOUTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19146
DIXON LEARNING ACADEMY - 2201 MOORE STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19145
Benefits: we provide a competitive benefits package, which includes:
- Medical and dental benefits
- Life insurance and short-term & long-term disability
- 403(b) retirement plan; GPCA will match 100% of your contribution up to 4% of your gross compensation
- Paid time off that includes 15 days of vacation the first to second year, 20 days’ vacation the third year; and 24 days’ vacation the fourth year and beyond
- Twelve sick days per year
- Eleven paid holidays
Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, upgrades, training, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment. This policy complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three (2) references to Munsanda Brown
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Teaching Certification (Required)
- PA Teaching Certification (Required)
Work Location: In person