Head Start Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for day-to-day operation and management of the classroom. Responsible for guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Schedule:  Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectualdevelopment of children in the classroom, ensuring each child’s individual needs are met. Prepares and implements lesson plans in collaboration with teacher assistant using established curricula ensuring that small group, large group and individual experiences are provided. Ensures current lesson plan is posted in classroom.
• Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in the education, nutrition, health, dental and mental health plans. Responsible for ensuring children are prepared for screening and exam proceduressuch as vision, hearing, dental, speech, and developmental to encourage successful completion.
• Maintains ongoing observation and assessment on each child within the classroom utilizing required trackingtools. Daily observation will include anecdotal notes, health checks, and other tracking requirements.
• Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit. Ensures all medication isstored properly in the classroom and all OSHA standards are met. Maintains current emergency contact information for families.
• Ensures medication is administered properly to children, following all written procedures.
• Develops Education Child Portfolio for each child in the classroom with required documentation and ensures information is accurate and current.
• Ensures referral is completed and submitted to the appropriate service area for any child with a suspected delay or any other area of concern.
• Participates in the child staffing process with the disability services team and LEA, including the completion of required paperwork, attending staffings and implementation of the IEP when child is determined eligible.

• Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment. Provides appropriateguidance to promote children’s gross motor development. Balances indoor and outdoor activities to stimulate both cognitive growth and physical skills.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground area. Monitors and reports in writing to supervisor any needed repairs and takes appropriate action to correct any unsafe area.
• Establishes and maintains an adequately supplied classroom, ensuring the physical and developmental needsof all children are met. Prepares requests for and purchases all classroom supplies/equipment with supervisor approval.
• Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities,explore, question and gain mastery through learning by doing. Encourages language development of children by asking open ended questions.
• Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through the promotion of cultural and ethnic acceptance and experiences.
• Provides direct supervision to children at all times; maintaining child/staff ratios in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Maintains accurate classroom attendance, assuring the sign in/out sheet corresponds with the number ofchildren in the classroom at all times. Provides information to Family Advocate in a timely manner, of any known reason for child absence.
• Posts and reviews current menu in classroom for discussion with children. Participates with children at mealtimes, including breakfast and lunch, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
• Plans and implements healthy cooking experiences within the classroom setting that reflect the ethnic and cultural composition of the population.
• Ensures regular safety and fire/storm drills are conducted. Assures that emergency procedures and evacuation routes are posted in the classroom.
• Maintains and documents regular contact with parents ensuring two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences are conducted yearly. Recruits parents as volunteers in the classroom/center. Documents/reports parent participation in center activities.