Teacher - Head Start

Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.

At Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately, Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children have access to quality education in order to succeed in school and life.

The teacher in Gads Hill Center’s Center-Based Early Childhood program is responsible for delivering comprehensive early childhood education services to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless educational experience for children. This position is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum.

At all times, teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.

• Collaborates with teaching team to provide a classroom environment that is reflective of diverse races, cultures, and languages; adapts teaching in response to children’s differences.
• Prepares attendance records, lesson plans, meal preparation sheets, child development files, anecdotal and developmental observations of each child, maintaining confidentiality of family records and information.
• Documents children’s growth and development using written observations, photography, and assessment tools.
• Utilizes developmental screening tools to determine individual needs of children and assists in individualizing curriculum.
• Completes weekly team meetings to discuss lesson planning, reporting requirements, and individual needs of the children.
• Attends and engages in professional development opportunities, such as staff meetings, in-service trainings, and conferences. Participates in at least 40 hours of professional development annually.
• Collaboratively plans developmentally-appropriate activities for small/large groups that address the needs identified in assessments. Activities must promote multiculturalism and aid in the development of critical-thinking skills.
• Assists center personnel in planning field trips and other enrichment activities.
• Develops and builds positive relationships with parents/guardians by greeting them and communicating with them, as well as providing experiences that enhance their roles as their child’s primary influence in growth and development.
• Utilizes the assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultant, and other professionals to assist and refer parents to community resources.
• Encourages parents to become involved in the classroom, as well as the Parent Committee and Policy Committee.
• Conducts and participates in home visits twice per year at the designated time.
• Demonstrates knowledge of DCFS, Head Start, and Preschool for All standards and implements them in all aspects of work.
• Understands and adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.
• Conducts, documents, and does follow-up on daily child health checks.
• Participates in annual parent orientation/open house, at least twice per year.
• Actively supervises and interacts with all the students in their care at all times.
• Enjoys family-style meal times with students and encourages them to serve themselves and feed themselves independently.
• Changes diapers and pull-ups, as needed, and assists students in toileting.

• Participating in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
• Participating in supervision meetings and workshops within the agency and outside (if applicable).
• Participating in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
• Performing other duties, as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.
• Professional educators License (PEL) with Early Childhood Endorsement required or the ability to obtain by January of 2024.
• One (1) year previous direct early childhood classroom experience with low-income families.
• Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
• Must be able to lift up-to 50 pounds (average child’s weight).
• Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
• A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center.