The Organization
Rooted in South Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance (GPCA) is the result of a strategic merger between Diversified Community Services (DCS) and United Communities Southeast Philadelphia (UCSEP). Both organizations share a long history in the settlement house movement of the late 1800s.
Over the last several years, DCS and UCSEP have experienced a resurgence and extraordinary growth. We have earned a reputation as an entrepreneurial trailblazer by capturing the regard of colleagues and funders, locally and nationally. GPCA's mission is to break the generational poverty cycle by ensuring equitable resource distribution for vulnerable children, families, and communities. We aim to be Philadelphia's catalyst for community empowerment, partnership, and the upward mobility of families and communities. We are committed to a nonprofit model that promotes social enterprise, an inspiring and safe environment, and a team-oriented culture.
GPCA's current operating budget is approximately $24 million, with 200+ employees across more than nine programs and eight locations.
GPCA's programming areas 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
Building on this solid platform, DCS and UCSEP's strategic merger to become GPCA will strengthen our mission impact, fill our need to expand community impact across South Philadelphia and beyond and increase our organizational stability.
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 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 childcare providers who exceed state health and safety certification requirements. The Keystone STARS is a nationally recognized quality rating system beginning at STAR One and 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, and 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 in order 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 children's developmental needs and assessments.
- Provide lesson plans and activities that allow choices that stimulate creativity in children.
- Keeps the classroom clean, neat, safe and inviting.
- Maintaining 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 perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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: It is essential to be able to communicate with all levels of the organization and with other service providers.
Compensation: $19- $22/hour
$2, 000 Sign-On Bonus
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 of vacation
the third year, and 24 days of vacation the fourth year and beyond
· Twelve sick days per year
· Eleven paid holidays.
Minimum Education and Experience
BA or BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field 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
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three (2) references to Munsanda Brown @ munsandabrown@gpca-phila.org
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour
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 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person