Pre-School Teacher (Head Start)

JOB TITLE: Teacher

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt Employee

REPORTS TO: Education Specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for administering the Head Start Performance Standards and DCFS Licensing Standards and implementing the program’s policies and procedures.
• Serves as prime advisor to the Education Specialist in all matters pertaining to the Head Start classroom.

• Establishes and maintains an efficient and effective record-keeping system.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Head Start center and classroom management.
• Responsible for the supervision of center staff as it pertains to program operations and is responsible in directing center staff duties as defined within their job descriptions.
• Provides team leadership, team building, staff training and development to center staff.

DUTIES:

1. Ensures that no child is left unattended or unsupervised at any time.

2. Ensures that children are supervised and monitored during all organized Head Start activities.

3. Follows Creative Curriculum and designs the classroom to focus on children’s individualized characteristics, strengths, and needs.

4. Provides ongoing child developmental observations. Enters observations in Teaching Strategies GOLD and creates individual child reports.

5. Follows the universal lesson plans and implements a developmentally appropriate, educational plan based upon individualized children’s observations and ongoing assessments.

6. Ensures the classroom environment supports acceptance of children and their families, a balanced program of learning experiences, an environment that supports social, emotional, and cognitive, language, and physical development.

7. Provides for age-appropriate literacy education and interactive literacy activities in the classroom and between parents and children.

8. Utilizes multiple sources of information on all aspects of each child’s development and behavior.

9. Provides developmental individualized child profiles.

10. Implements Conscious Discipline throughout the program day.

11. Supports and educates center staff and families to help children gain the social competence, skills and confidence necessary to be prepared to succeed in the present environment and later responsibilities in school and life.

12. Responsible for leadership, direction, and oversight in areas of planning, development, and implementation of operational procedures for the area of service, collect and analyze data on children in the program, supervision of staff and team leadership, team building, staff training and development.

13. Provides ongoing communication efforts with parents to support parent involvement, provide opportunities to increase observation skills, encourage participation in meetings, conferences, and home visits.

14. Screens for developmental, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills.

15. Participates in scheduled IEP team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components.

16. Integrates educational aspects of the health, nutrition, and mental health services into program activities.

17. Follows required/established emergency, health and safety procedures.

18. Ensures that program services contribute to the development and socialization of children.

19. Ensures that indoor and outdoor premises are cleaned daily and kept free of undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions.

20. Implements the recruitment process by recruiting door-to-door in targeted areas to enroll low-income preschool children including children with disabilities, placing fliers and recruitment signs in prominent areas frequented by parents of eligible children, etc.

21. Participate in parent committee meetings and family connection events.

22. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with equivalent credit hours to a major in Early Childhood Education and one year experience teaching preschool children preferred, Associates degree in Early Childhood Education required.
• Must meet the agency, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and IL Department of Child and Family Services applicable requirements for position.

1. Complete and pass pre-employment physical, obtain current (within past 6 months) 2-step TB test results, provide immunizations records that reflect 2 doses of MMR (mumps, rubella, and measles) and one Tdap (within last 7 years), and continue to complete on-going health testing as required by program.

2. Furnish written information regarding any criminal convictions, submit to fingerprinting, and comply to and pass a background check before initial hire and every five years thereafter.

3. Obtain and maintain current CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.

4. Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Must be able to fluently speak the language spoken by the majority of families and children in the class.
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to get along with children, parents, and other co-workers.
• Organization and problem solving skills required.
• Must perform all duties in a timely and professional manner.
• Must be punctual and maintain good work attendance.
• Must have the ability to work as a team player and maintain a positive work environment with co-workers.
• Must have the ability to operate a personal computer and software to access electronic mail and word processing programs.
• Must demonstrate maturity and self-motivation.
• Must possess a positive and professional image.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to/from work, meetings, and other work activities.
• Continues professional growth by participating in training programs and workshops/ conferences as budget allows and as applicable to position.
• Must support the mission, goals and objectives of Head Start and C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Object Manipulation

• Use of writing tools, computer and technological equipment, children’s objects

Sensory and Cognitive Abilities

• Analyzing and interpreting data, giving instructions, planning, supervising, explaining and investigating

Physical Demands

• Bending, squatting, twisting, reaching forward, sit down and get up from a 12-inch seat, lift up to 30 lbs. floor to waist, lift up to 20 lbs. waist to shoulder, lift up to 20 lbs. above shoulder, carry 30 lbs. 30 feet, push/pull 20 lbs. 10 feet, stand 15 minutes while doing fine motor activity, walk up and down flight of stairs

Training and Certifications

• Attend conferences/workshops as required and maintain certifications required of position

Environmental Demands

• Indoor center work 90% of the time; off site travel/outside activities 10% of the time for field trips, training/staff meetings, playground activities, recruitment activities, purchasing supplies, etc.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.36 - $25.10 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Preschool Aged Children: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person