Head Start Teacher - Early Head Start - Job ID 14267

Early Head Start Teacher

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools.

Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

The Early Head Start Teacher provides directs activities within the classroom setting, including developmentally appropriate curriculum implementation, lesson preparation, student supervision, individual or small group instruction, maintaining the classroom environment, and documenting student progress to ensure effective learning for all students; key responsibilities include preparing materials, implementing lessons with students, managing classroom behavior, and communicating with parents regarding student progress. In collaboration with the teaching team, the Early Head Start Teacher is also responsible for the children's health and safety, including family style dining meal service, on-demand feeding of infants, diapering and toileting, and applying first aid.

This position is responsible for coordinating parent conferences and home visits; maintaining Head Start Performance Standards and local licensing regulations and maintaining all required documentation per state and federal guidelines.

Duties/Responsibilities Direct the planning, organizing, and implementation of instructional services for children aged six weeks to three years old, including small and large group instruction, indoor and outdoor gross motor, mealtime, and nap. Develop and implement approved weekly lesson plans; individualize educational plans for children as needed. Serve as the primary provider for a group of 4 children; prepare child development materials and arrange a physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers.

Lead the classroom team in preparing and implementing a safe and healthy learning environment that supports and challenges each child's development; assist in sanitizing and cleaning the classroom daily. Build positive social skills, maintaining appropriate and positive voice tone with children in the classroom. Promote children's self-help skills, including dressing, toileting, diapering, handwashing, teeth brushing, and communicating needs. Aid in receptive and expressive language development, making extensive use of open-ended questions and frequently writing down/reading back children's own words.

Participate in family-style dining meal experience and accurately record meal service within approved times; on-demand bottle-feeding of infants as needed. Participate in all opportunities for continuous learning; actively engage in coaching relationships to promote professional development. Communicate regularly with Teacher Assistants and Classroom Aides and share all pertinent information promptly. Observe and record children's interactions to assess skills and plan appropriately to meet individual and group needs.

Identifies areas of concern, intervenes, if appropriate, or provides referrals. Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, or other special need, and report these signs immediately to the supervisor; complete medication administration, First Aid, and CPR as needed in the event of a medical emergency. Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Mandated Reporter expectations at all times;

including appropriate physical redirection and the use of approved behavior management strategies. Assess classroom needs for equipment, materials, and supplies and report to supervisor; and maintain the space, equipment, materials, and supplies in a safe, clean, and orderly fashion. Assist in the implementation of individualized education plans for children with disabilities, adhere to behavior intervention strategies; engage in Safety Planning and Response Team procedures as needed.

Assist in providing accurate and timely reports, record keeping, and other documentation required for the assigned classroom. Complete all required written and electronic documentation, including accident incident reports, daily health checks, and behavior intervention plans. Maintain strict adherence to health and safety policies and procedures; maintain ratio with two teaching staff at all times and implement Active Supervision through the triad approach.

Attend all required staff meetings, workshops, training, committee meetings, and parent functions. Contribute to a positive, supportive relationship by maintaining…