Head Start Teacher

Full Job Description

Title: Teacher– Level II

Monday-Friday 8:00-3pm

Service Area: Child Service

Reports To: Site/Education Coordinators/Liaisons and/or Child Service Manager

Position Summary: Performs and implements the function of this position with a strong understanding of the program curriculum and Head Start Performance Standards for classrooms while following basic principles of early childhood development as defined in COTRAIC work plans and education manual. Responsible for developing and implementing a Head Start educational setting for preschool children. Assist partnered teacher in developing and implementing appropriate daily lesson plans and activities in advance which include: multicultural educational materials and activities; both classroom and playground activities; family style dining at meals and snacks as outlined in the COTRAIC education manual.

Essential Functions:

• Implement and follow the Head Start Performance Standards, all COTRAIC and LLP policies and procedures, and the COTRAIC written work plan in all activities assigned to the teaching team.
• Plans and maintains a safe, clean, learning environment, free of clutter, with learning materials labeled and organized to make them easily accessible for use by the children.
• Responsible for assuring the well-being and safety of children in his/her care. Maintain the proper adult/child ratio at all times. (Third adult in the classroom must be a volunteer.)
• Assist partnered teacher in organizing the classroom in well-developed and defined learning centers, rotating materials routinely to create a stimulating learning environment for young children.
• Assist partnered teacher in developing and writing lesson plans using the Creative Curriculum, the supplemental schedule, the PA Early Learning Standards and the Head Start Early Learning Framework. Maintain an environment that is reflective of the population served by utilizing books, pictures/posters and equipment that are multi-cultural in nature and based on anti-bias principles.
• Responsible for guiding and modeling appropriate behavior and teaching techniques for substitutes, program aides and volunteers while in your classroom.
• Maintains a cooperative attitude of working together with all Teachers, Substitutes, Program Aides, Family Advocates, Health staff, Mental Health/Disabilities staff, Consultants, Supervisors, volunteers and parents in planning and implementing classroom activities. Follow up with Family Advocate on children who are absent, contacting the parent to determine the reason for the absence.
• Assist Health Specialist with all health-related screenings.
• Assist partnered teacher in planning and implementing activities with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, consistent with the curriculum provided and Head Start mandated outcomes. Offer a program that meets the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of both the individual and the group. (See Child Service Manual)
• Assist in the planning and implementing daily experiences that engage children and promote all developmental areas, including improving the readiness of children for school by providing activities in literacy, language-including English as a second language where applicable, math, science, art, social studies, social skill building and physical activities using songs, books, games and open ended, individualized materials that are integrated with the theme/topic.
• Follow daily schedule/routine and develops and implements weekly lesson plans that are consistent with program curriculum, CLASS, TPOT, and ECERS 3 guidelines.
• Encourages and models language expansion, extended learning and problem solving strategies throughout the day.
• Follow through on suggestions made by immediate supervisor including but not limited to: scheduling, transitions and curriculum suggestions, TPOT goals, ECERS goals, and CLASS observation suggestions. Implements behavior plans designed by the mental health/disabilities specialists or consultant and reports on the effectiveness of the plan after sufficient time for implementation.
• Assist partnered Teacher in referring children who may have special needs via the referral process. (See referral process handouts).
• Maintains discipline and supervision during all Head Start activities as outlined in COTRAIC and LLP policies and procedures and the education manual.
• Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such incident to your immediate supervisor.
• Sits with children during meal time and eats the same meal as the children, providing a model for good nutritional habits (unless prohibited from doing so by dietary or doctor concerns).
• Uses assessment information for interacting individually with children during learning center times and other times for teaching identified concepts.
• Assist partnered teacher in maintaining accurate and current assessment information, noting child’s progress across all developmental domains utilizing anecdotal notes and/or examples of children’s work. Level I Teacher will write anecdotal notes, monthly goals, and collect work samples in collaboration with the Level II teacher.
• Reviews child’s education file, documents parent contact and files all paperwork upon completion and assures that files are confidentially maintained.
• Visits each child’s home at least twice per year as indicated on the planning calendar, meeting with parents, becoming familiar with the child’s home environment, and getting to know the family.
• Assists partnered teacher in holding a minimum of two parent teacher conferences per year as designated on the planning calendar to share each child’s progress with parents.
• Safeguards all classroom supplies and equipment, and accounts for any misused, damaged, or missing supplies or equipment.
• Interact with parents to establish a positive and productive relationship through notes, telephone calls and conferences and document each contact.
• Ensure that parents are notified of any incident involving their child. Ensure that copies of the incident report are distributed to all necessary parties.
• Support appropriate parent-initiated activities. Encourage classroom parents to attend Education Committee, Health Service Advisory Committee, Parent Center Committee, and Policy Council meetings. Involve parents in education activities of the program to enhance their role as the principal influence on their child's education and development.
• Assist in bathroom supervision. Ensure that the bathroom is clean before leaving.
• Assist children with physical needs such as hand washing, nose wiping, diapering and changing after an "accident".
• Attend meetings with immediate supervisor and other agency personnel as needed.
• Participate in on-going recruitment efforts in conjunction with all service areas.31. Responsible for gathering, documenting and submitting in kind in a timely manner as required.

Other Responsibilities: Carry out job functions in various sites/settings based on programmatic needs as determined by the Site/Education Coordinators/Liaisons or the Child Service Manager.

• Continue professional growth by participating in education, training programs, workshops/conferences and in-service trainings.
• Reports to work at scheduled times and maintains good attendance.
• Performs all duties as assigned in a timely and professional manner.
• Conduct home base services as needed for children if applicable under Head Start Performance Standards.
• This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities can change at any time, with or without notice.

Education, Experience and Skills Required: Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related credits, Child Development, or Pedology; with preschool classroom experience preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal, nurturing, and problem-solving skills required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Other Requirements: Physical exam; bi-annual Tuberculin test

• Pa Child Abuse Clearance, Criminal Record Check and FBI clearances every 36 months.
• I-9 proof of employment eligibility
• Legally licensed and registered to drive.
• Current CPR and First Aid certificate
• Covid-19 Vaccination required

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;

• Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
• Job requires standing for long periods of time as well as stooping, squatting, running and sitting on the floor;
• May be required to lift up to a minimum of 30 pounds

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Mask are recommended but not mandatory as of right now

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Early Childhood Education: 2 years (Preferred)
• Childcare: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $16