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Teacher Qualifications
Daniel Island Academy (DIA) is accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC), which sets the highest
standards for education, health and safety,
including teacher qualifications. NAEYC
stipulates that 75% of lead teachers and 50% of
assistant teachers are required to hold or be
working towards a degree in early childhood
education or related discipline. Our school
consistently achieves and exceeds NAEYC
standards.
Teaching staff is supervised and supported by a
School Director, Curriculum Coordinator,
Reference Point Coordinator, and the School's
Business Manager.
Daniel Island Academy has established the
following policies and practices in support of
its NAEYC requirements:
20 continuing education hours annually;
exceeds state standards of 15 hours annually
Teacher training
sessions are held on site and specially
designed to meet the needs of our school and
its student body. Classes in curriculum,
growth and development, health, and safety,
among others, are included
All DIA staff
(nearly 50 teachers and administrators) are
required to be
CPR and Blood-borne pathogen certified
(state requirements state that only one
certified person be on site during operating
hours)
All DIA staff are
required to submit to
background screening
All DIA staff are
required to
submit to drug testing
at time of employment, with random testing
as needed (state requirements do not require
drug testing)
Prospective
teachers undergo an extensive interview
process, including a
working interview
during which they spend approximately 1 1/2
hours in two separate classrooms (one
younger child classroom, one older child
classroom). Current teachers provide
feedback to the School Director on
performance and child interaction
Successful applicants must share the
school's philosophy, and also convey
a "sense of commitment" in the
workplace, especially in the education of
young children
Turtle Team - Rewarding Excellence in
Teaching and Caring for Your Child
DIA teachers
participate in the school's Turtle Team
incentive program, a quarterly bonus
program that equals up to 5% on an annual basis
of a teacher's salary. The Turtle Team
program works in conjunction with the
school's NAEYC requirements, with a structured
program for achieving and maintaining those
standards. It is also rewards teachers for hard
work and dedication to our school. Turtle
Team is tailored to each staff position
through an Individualized Staff Professional
Development Plan created by the School Director
and the Curriculum Coordinator. The Professional
Development Plan is intended to provide
direction, guidance, and resources to all
teachers currently working at Daniel Island
Academy.
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