Head Start Lead Teacher

Head Start Lead Teacher I (319) – Lutheran Services Florida

Lutheran Services Florida envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. This role serves as the lead worker in a Head Start or Early Head Start classroom, planning and implementing educational activities for preschool‑aged children or infants/toddlers under federal performance standards.

The Lead Teacher I performs duties that support the Head Start / Early Head Start Program, participates in HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts, and contributes to child development and educational outcomes.

• Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre‑school age children or infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory.
• Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.
• Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of a variety of formal documents.
• Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.
• Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information.
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre‑Kindergarten Standards.
• Conducts Voluntary Pre‑Kindergarten assessments as required.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.
• Performs quality staff‑child interactions resulting in a CLASS score greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Success Rubric.
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom.
• Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start / Early Head Start staff.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Note:

The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical…