Head Start Teacher

Job Overview

Provides a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for pre-school aged children or infants/toddlers while they are in the Head Start environment (classroom, outdoor play area, and field trips). Plans and develops individual goals for children, provides on-going assessment on progress and facilitates transition into Head Start or other pre-school settings. Supports parents in their role as primary caretakers and educators of their children and encourages their involvement in all aspects of the program.

Maintains on-going contact with families and works with all other components (health, nutrition, family services, mental health, special services, parent education and resource/referral) to integrate services into the family setting.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Head Start Teacher candidate will have a minimum of an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with 15 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, and two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children.

Salary

Minimum: $18.75- $22.95/per hour

Core Competencies

* Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.

* Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.

* Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.

* Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note:

The following duties 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 one or more of the activities described below:

* Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for preschool age children that meet federal performance standards.

* Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.

* Screens and assesses preschool aged 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.

* Documents children's progress or lack thereof and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.

* Initiates referrals to the appropriate Lead Teacher by submission of required paperwork.

* 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, telephone and home visits 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 or other health conditions, and reports to appropriate nurse.

* Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency.

* Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.

* Requests supplies and equipment to be ordered for use by children in the classroom.

* Serves as a bus monitor in the transportation of children and engages children in song and other developmentally appropriate activities during ride.

* 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.

* Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start staff.

* Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.

* Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

* Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood education.

* Knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.

* Knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.

* Skill in making presentations to groups.

* Skill in verbal communication with pre-school age children.

* Ability to resolve conflicts between pre-school age children.

* Ability to plan, organize and implement early childhood education curriculums.

* Ability to remain in a seated position on…