Teacher – Preschool Head Start

Head Start Teacher

This position serves as the lead worker in a classroom of Head Start children by planning, implementing, and supervising all classroom activities. This position works with typically developing children and children with disabilities. Because this position is one part of a large system of services provided to children and families, this position also serves as a social service referral person and shares responsibility for parent involvement in the program as well as providing & modeling school readiness information and skills to parents.

The position of teacher works in tandem with the rest of the parts of the system as an integrated team to support the goals of the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.

Attends all required training and workshops. Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program including Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, OCDEL regulations and any other applicable regulations and practices. Works as a team member with the other education staff, parents to develop curriculum that is meaningful and meets the school readiness needs of the individual as well as program needs.

Responsible for the weekly preparation of daily lesson plans, which includes objectives to be posted for parents, volunteers and visitors in the classroom. Develops an individual plan for each child to include goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established goals (outcomes). Schedules home visits and parent-teacher conferences with families as required and on an as-needed basis and documents these events.

Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to enrolled children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. Prepares a safe, healthy learning environment for children that are developmentally appropriate and experientially-based. Develops individual training plans for all staff supervised making it clear what is expected and what the timeframe is for completion of short and long term goals. Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervises all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activities. Plans and provides a developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum and experiences in a manner appropriate to the ages, languages and cultures of children served. Directs any special needs or problems to the appropriate manager/specialist or supervisor. Plans and implements learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical competence of children including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print and numeracy awareness, their understanding of the use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books and their problem solving abilities.

Implements education lesson plans and daily programs for children in accordance with each child's need, based on a method of observing and recording children's interests and current levels of functioning. Additionally, lesson plans and daily program activities should be aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and Framework. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline.

Maintains a commitment to professionalism and continues own professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices. Shares pertinent information with the respective Family Services Worker to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual children and families. Supervises and eats nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity, to model good nutrition and proper social skills.

Encourage children to serve themselves whenever possible and to serve food in a family style manner. Provides a stable classroom routine and environment. Ensures a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs. Screens, observes and documents children as required. Understands regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Submits daily attendance records to the main office. Submits monthly progress reports to the supervisor as scheduled. Supervises or orders supplies as needed and takes inventory as requested. Submits monthly bills and reports to the central office in a timely manner. Maintains child records in cooperation with the Family Services Worker. Gathers and maintains individual, family and classroom data for documentation, on-going assessment, evaluation and recording keeping for…