Behavior Floater; SEL

Overview

Under the direction of the Mental Health Supervisor, the Behavioral Floater provides support across Head Start classrooms to promote a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for all children. This role focuses on assisting with classroom management, implementing behavior support strategies, and supporting teachers with children who may exhibit challenging behaviors. Assume a classroom teacher’s responsibilities in the absence of a classroom teacher.

In some cases, serves as a third instructional leader to demonstrate social‑emotional learning strategies. The floater works under the guidance of the SEL Coach and collaborates with classroom teams to support children’s social‑emotional development.

• High School Diploma required.
• Associate’s degree in Teaching in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) OR the equivalent with a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit in ECE or CD with a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with appropriate Preschool endorsement required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching in an early childhood program required.

This position does not include any supervisory responsibilities.

• Observes, assesses, and documents each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provides opportunities for children to develop positive self‑images and experience success.
• Develops, if assigned, an individualized and educational strength plan for children.
• Identifies any developmental concerns regarding the children and follows agency protocol.
• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities in conjunction with teachers that promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
• Provides direct support to classrooms by implementing behavior strategies for children with challenging behaviors, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all.
• Collaborates with teaching staff to model positive behavioral interventions, support classroom management techniques, and promote inclusive practices.
• Assists in implementing individualized behavior support plans, in partnership with mental health consultants and education staff.
• Monitors and documents behavioral observations, interventions, and progress to inform planning and ensure all children receive consistent and appropriate educational services.
• Utilizes trauma‑informed care approaches grounded in the Pyramid Model and Conscious Discipline to support social‑emotional development and create nurturing, responsive environments for all children.
• In collaboration with teachers, develops lesson and support plans that include goals, objectives, activities, and desired outcomes for children, while maintaining accurate daily documentation of student support.
• Assumes responsibility for the management of the classroom during the lead teacher’s absence.
• In collaboration with the teacher, maintains a classroom environment that incorporates positive guidance techniques and complies with national, state, and local licensing regulations, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and Porter‑Leath’s philosophy and curriculum.
• Experience supporting children with behavioral challenges or developmental differences preferred.
• Knowledge of positive behavior supports strategies and trauma‑informed care.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to different classroom settings and teacher styles.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a supportive, patient approach.
• Ensures all children are under appropriate supervision at all times. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, delegates child development responsibilities as needed.
• If necessary and/or required, participates in Parent/Staff conferences.
• If necessary and/or required, participates in home visits with classroom teachers.
• In conjunction with classroom teachers and Family Support staff, encourages parent participation in the program and develops effective partnerships with parents.
• In conjunction with classroom teachers, develops and maintains confidential educational information for the classroom and ensures all confidential information is…