Head Start Floater Teacher

About the role

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will promote active learning in a preschool classroom by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. We will count on you to use cognitive-developmental approaches to enhance the students’ language and literacy skills. As a Head Start Floater Teacher, you will also have the opportunity to plan and participate in parent education, parent engagement, and family support activities. Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10 with 20 students per classroom, to provide the greatest opportunity for a healthy and effective learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
• Develops, organizes, and implements age-appropriate child education curriculum
• Plans classroom experiences that meet different developmental stages, interests, temperaments, learning styles, languages, and cultural backgrounds
• Develops and implements a multicultural curriculum that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices that meet the needs and interests of students
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and Office of Head Start Performance Standards regulations, Arizona licensing requirements, and program policies and procedures
• Respects, values, and supports each child and family background, and facilitates parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of the Educational Plans
• Affords positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members
• Aids in the recruitment and enrollment of children and families into the Maricopa County EED Program
• Ensures the classroom environment is safe, clean, orderly, and facilitates growth, development, and learning
• Aids in maintaining daily communication with parents and assists in conducting a minimum of two educational home visits and two parent/teacher conferences per family each program year
• Aids in the planning of child transitions into Head Start and out of Head Start to kindergarten

Requirements

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting
• Associate's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education, child development, or infant/toddler development
• We also value bilingual skills in English and Spanish
• Experience as a former or current Head Start parent

Qualifications

• Valid Arizona driver’s license is required upon hire
• Background check and Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card are required upon hire
• Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB) upon hire
• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler’s certification within six weeks of hire

SkillsNone specified in the job posting

Benefits

• Paid continuing education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement
• Paid Child Development Association Certification (CDA)
• With this certification, you can grow in your Head Start career by advancing into our teaching positions
• Candidates without the required credentials are encouraged to apply for the Teaching Assistant while they earn their CDA
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County
• Amazing health and wellness programs, including pet insurance!
• Our health insurance plans are more than competitive, with the option to earn a wellness incentive payback of $60 per month
• Free Office of Head Start membership

Pay

$40,000 - $59,800 annually

Schedule

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Position may have possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases. Position follows either a full-year (213 days) or a partial-year (165 days) schedule, with Birth to Five site classrooms operating Monday through Friday. If position is a contracted position, it will follow a part-year 10-month work schedule, that is from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday thorugh Friday. Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds. Will be required to fill in as a substitute staff member at other program sites. Ability to travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of a County or private vehicle used on County business.