Behavior Floater (SEL)

About the Role

The Behavioral Floater provides support across Head Start classrooms to promote a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for all children. This role focuses on assisting with classroom management, implementing behavior support strategies, and supporting teachers with children who may exhibit challenging behaviors. The floater assumes a classroom teacher’s responsibilities in their absence and may serve as a third instructional leader to demonstrate social-emotional learning strategies. The role operates under the guidance of the SEL Coach and collaborates with classroom teams to support children’s social-emotional development.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required.
• Associate’s degree in Teaching in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) OR the equivalent with a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit in ECE or CD with a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with appropriate Preschool endorsement required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching in an early childhood program required.
• Experience supporting children with behavioral challenges or developmental differences preferred.
• Knowledge of positive behavior supports strategies and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to different classroom settings and teacher styles.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a supportive, patient approach.

Responsibilities

• Observes, assesses, and documents each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development.
• Provides opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Develops, if assigned, an individualized and educational strength plan for children.
• Identifies any developmental concerns regarding the children and follows agency protocol.
• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities in conjunction with the teachers that promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
• Provides direct support to classrooms by implementing behavior strategies for children with challenging behaviors, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all.
• Collaborates with teaching staff to model positive behavioral interventions, support classroom management techniques, and promote inclusive practices.
• Assists in implementing individualized behavior support plans, in partnership with mental health consultants and education staff.
• Monitors and documents behavioral observations, interventions, and progress to inform planning and ensure all children receive consistent and appropriate educational services.
• Utilizes trauma-informed care approaches grounded in the Pyramid Model and Conscious Discipline to support social-emotional development and create nurturing, responsive environments for all children.
• In collaboration with teachers, develops lesson and support plans that include goals, objectives, activities, and desired outcomes for children, while maintaining accurate daily documentation of student support.
• Assumes responsibility for the management of the classroom during the lead teacher's absence.
• In collaboration with the teacher, maintains a classroom environment that incorporates positive guidance techniques and complies with national, state, and local licensing regulations, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and Porter-Leath's philosophy and curriculum.
• Ensures all children are under appropriate supervision at all times.
• In the absence of the Lead Teacher, delegates child development responsibilities as needed.
• Participates in Parent/Staff conferences and home visits with classroom teachers if necessary and/or required.
• Encourages parent participation in the program in conjunction with the classroom teachers and Family Support staff.
• Develops effective partnerships with parents.
• Develops and maintains confidential educational information for the classroom and ensures all confidential information is protected.
• Accurately completes all required program documentation and submits it in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher.
• Participates in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment.
• Completes daily attendance and meal participation reports and submits them to the appropriate program personnel.
• Adheres to all federal, state, and local licensing regulations, Head Start/Early Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Teacher Excellence Program, and Porter-Leath's philosophy and curriculum.
• Attends all required meetings and training.
• Performs other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description.

Skills

• Principles of child development and early childhood education (birth to five).
• Positive behavior supports strategies and techniques (i.e., Conscious Discipline, Pyramid Model).
• Classroom management and guidance strategies for preschool-aged children.
• Head Start Program Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Trauma-informed approaches and strategies for working with children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges.
• Supporting young children with social-emotional and behavioral needs in group settings.
• Observing and documenting child behavior to inform strategies and supports.
• Building positive, respectful relationships with children, families, and staff.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support child success and classroom climate.
• Adapting quickly and confidently to various classroom environments and routines.
• Remaining calm and composed in high-stress situations involving behavioral incidents.
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive child/family matters.
• Demonstrating patience, empathy, and flexibility in day-to-day interactions.
• Moving easily between classrooms and adjusting to changing schedules or site needs.
• Taking direction and feedback from the SEL Coach and Instructional Coaches while working independently.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision.
• Work in a non-smoking environment.

Special Conditions

• Maintain a valid driver's license with a good driving record and appropriate level of insurance.
• Ability to travel to multiple Head Start locations.