Lead Teacher

• Employee Type Non-Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree

Immediate Opening for a dynamic and passionate Lead Teacher to lead our Waukee Head Start classroom. This is a 36hr/per week position during the school year and summer off. Must have excellent communication skills with parents, children and staff, enthusiasm, patience, dedication and organization. Must be comfortable supervising teacher assistants, love working with children and have the ability to instill curiosity & love of learning while fostering friendships and fun.

BA degree in early childhood or related field with a minimum of two years of experience working with or teaching children ages birth to 5, at least one-year successful leadership experience.

Excellent benefit package including IPERS, vacation, personal leave, sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance. EOE AD#2618

Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership

A Head Start teacher utilizes curricula that is developmentally appropriate and meets the needs of children from diverse backgrounds. The classroom teacher is responsible for participating with a team on a daily basis in planning curricula and adding the necessary parental contribution. The individual also creates and maintains relationships with every child and family and assesses their needs. The teacher evaluates the progress of each child on an on-going basis and implements the necessary modifications.

A Head Start teacher makes sure the required documentation is completed and complies with the standards set by the National Head Start program. Head Start teachers also often conduct parent/teacher conferences and sometimes in-home visits to meet performance standards.

• Document and monitor children’s progress to evaluate the ability of curriculum to meet children’s developmental needs.
• Conduct instruction by following lesson plan while adapting plans to meet individual learning styles. Promote successful classroom performance for each student.
• Encourage each child to develop a positive self-concept and support that self-concept by creating a developmentally appropriate environment where children are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment and problem solve.
• Participate in lunch time activities by assisting with preparing and serving food, eating with the children and cleaning up after meals.
• Maintain an organized, clean classroom and present interesting ideas and activities to share with children.
• Supervise Food Program at center level to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Create and maintain accurate, confidential reports and records within applicable regulations and performance standards.
• Supervise staff in the development and implementation of the curriculum and in maintaining a safe, orderly and quality learning environment.
• Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality. Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers and visitors in order to respond to children’s environmental needs.
• Maintain children’s files, check off forms at admission, prepare and ensure files are maintained for annual licensing.
• Perform other duties or complete other projects as assigned.

• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a driver’s license, automobile, and current valid insurance in order to travel to designation locations.
• Knowledge of Agency’s policies, practices and procedures.
• Ability to establish…