Head Start Teacher, Winters

POSITION: CLASSROOM TEACHER (CERTIFIED) HEAD START

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education (Preferred) or Bachelor's in Education with an EC-6 Certification

(3) ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALING AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Secretary shall ensure that, for center-based programs, each Head Start classroom that does not have a teacher who meets the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (2)(A) is assigned one teacher who has the following during the period specified:

(B) As of October 1, 2011--

(i) an associate degree in early childhood education;

(ii) an associate degree in a related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; or

(iii) a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach For America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach For America's professional staff.

Waiver Requirements if staff do not meet qualifications in 3 (B):

(B) as of October 1, 2011, a 3-year waiver of the requirements of paragraph (3)(B) for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that--

(i) the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an individual who has the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph, with respect to an individual who is enrolled in a program that grants a degree described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and will receive such degree in a reasonable time; and

(ii) each Head Start classroom has a teacher who has, at a minimum--

(I) a child development associate credential that is appropriate to the age of children being served in center-based programs; or

(II) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child development associate credential.

JOB GOAL: To comply with all federal guidelines (Head Start Performance Standards, Policies and Procedures) and all local ESC Head Start policies, in providing children and families with all Head Start services to implement an effective pre-kindergarten Head Start program for children.

To help children progress toward the overall goal of social competence through providing children with a

learning environment and varied experiences that help them develop socially, intellectually, physically,

and emotionally, in a manner appropriate to their individual age and stage of development.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general supervision of the School Principal.

I. PLANNING

- Plans and posts daily schedule in classroom.

- Writes daily lesson plans and keeps them posted.

- Includes objectives, concepts, and strategies for meeting child outcomes in written lesson plans.

- Provides for special needs of individual children in written lesson planning.

- Includes educational assistants, parents and volunteers in planning.

- Follows daily schedule and written plans.

- Sets up learning centers.

- Prepares needed materials in advance.

II. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

- Maintains an orderly and safe classroom and playground environment.

- Reinforces positive behavior with verbal and /or nonverbal encouragement.

- Redirects children to prevent behavior problems.

- Uses language with children to prevent behavior problems.

- Deals with individual problems on an individual basis.

- Refrains from raising voice or using voice in a threatening manner.

- Treats children with respect at all times.

- Takes time to help children reflect on their actions and behaviors.

- Implements all Head Start policies and procedures (i.e. Head Start discipline policies, supervision by 2 adults, health, safety, etc.).

- Eats one meal daily with children (sharing the same menu) promoting language development and social skills

- Provides emergency medical care for children as needed

- Follow safety and environment regulations

- Obtains and maintains first aid and CPR certifications

- Reviews individual child files

- Assists children in diapering and toilet training

III. PARENT INVOLVEMENT

- Attends monthly parent meetings and collaborate with the Family Service Worker to organize the meeting.

- Collaborate with Family Service Worker to documents all monthly parent meetings with sign-in sheets and minutes.

- Collaborates with the Family Service Worker to notifying parents of upcoming meetings, trainings and events.

- Recruits, trains and utilizes parent volunteers in the classroom.

- Treats parents with respect and refrains from community gossip.

- Posts and maintains a bulletin board for dissemination of information to parents.

- Actively recruits parent's ideas and suggestions for classroom activities and curriculum planning.

- Participate with parents in take-home literacy initiative (i.e. Book Mark Club).

- Recruit and encourage Parent Language Facilitators

IV. COLLABORATION

- Delegates some planning, paperwork, and other responsibilities to the Education Aide.

- Assumes responsibility for helping the Education Aide become more proficient in working with children.

- Supports Education Aide and parent volunteers with praise and encouragement.

- Cooperates with ESC staff concerning reports, policies, guidelines, etc., for the Head Start program.

- Completes ongoing assessment checklist 3 times per year.

- Follows safety and environmental checklists or delegates to assistants in the classroom.

- Maintains current ongoing anecdotal records on Head Start children and makes entries in the child's portfolio regularly.

- Apprises ESC Head Start staff of classroom needs and individual needs of Head Start children.

- Complete and submit lesson plans on-line weekly.

- Submits monthly items as designated by the 10th of the month tracking form

to the ESC office by the 10th of the following month.

- Submits quarterly review corrective action items to Head Start within two weeks.

- Sees that adequate health/hygiene items such as soap, towels, lotion, gloves, toothbrushes, etc. are available.

- Maintains equipment in good order and marks all Head Start equipment and supplies as being Head Start.

- Completes yearly inventory of equipment.

- Posts all emergency plans, child abuse posters, and all other items in the class at all times, as outlined in the Head Start classroom notebook.

- Attends all Head Start staff development and in-service meetings as requested.

- Cooperates with Head Start disabilities component staff:

- Refers Head Start children with suspected disabilities for evaluation.

- Attends ARDs, Positive Practices for Behavior Management Meetings, Health Planning Meetings, and any other meeting relevant to a child or children. Assists with setting up parent participation in these meetings.

- Cooperates with planning and implementation of IEP and ARD goals for children with disabilities.

- Maintains confidentiality of all Head Start children and family information, including Child Files.

V. REQUIRED TRAINING FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT

- Head Start Orientation-Overview, of general operation, performance standards of Head Start.

- Head Start sponsored trainings.

- Head Start content area trainings.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

- The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities

assigned to this job and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all responsibilities,

duties, and skills required.

- Employment in this position is contingent upon performance, need, and funding.

- This position is totally or partially funded out of Federal or State funds.

FLSA Status: Exempt