Head Start Lead Teacher

About the role

The Head Start Lead Teacher will provide comprehensive services that support the development of the whole child, with a focus on school readiness. Teachers will create a safe, supervised, inclusive, educational setting where all children can experience success. Teachers will implement the Creative Curriculum, the Project Approach, and other developmentally appropriate content. This includes partnering with families in the child’s development; providing and maintaining a safe environment; using an online curriculum and child assessment system; keeping complete and accurate observation records on the children; planning and implementing individual, as well as whole class, programming for all children.

Responsibilities

• Provide active supervision of children at all times, following active supervision policies and procedures.
• Plan and provide a comprehensive program that includes at-risk children, children with disabilities, and those from diverse families.
• Participate in Preservice training and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Plan and provide a comprehensive ECE program including implementation of Creative Curriculum, Project Approach, and other developmentally appropriate content in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and NH Child Care Licensing Rules; utilize Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) for collecting, planning from, and reporting of child assessment data.
• Guide and facilitate learning experiences for the children, following Creative Curriculum guidance, including: the creation of a predictable daily schedule; using child assessment data to plan and facilitate daily activities; creating an exciting learning environment in the classroom; creating, displaying, and using visual cues for children, including picture schedules.
• Conduct developmental screening of children within 45 days of enrollment.
• Individualize instruction for each child using assessment data and other sources to inform planning
• Manage classroom operations; provide guidance and modeling to Teacher Assistant and Classroom Aide, as well as performing reflective supervision monthly.
• Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately and children individually upon arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth transition into and out of the classroom.
• Create a positive classroom-home connection, maintaining professional and appropriate communication with families and guardians; create individualized activities that parents can do at home with their children to support the curriculum and the child’s learning.; encourage parents to become involved in the classroom and other Head Start activities such as parent committee meetings, Policy Council, and the Parent Substitute Training Program.
• Provide a family-style setting at meals, including having the children serve themselves; sitting and eating with the children; assisting them as needed, encouraging social and self-help skills; and facilitating pleasant conversation during meals.
• Arrange meaningful field trips and community-based experiences for the children, with the approval of the Education Manager.
• Maintain and monitor accurate child attendance records; USDA meal counts; in-kind reports; and other record keeping and reports as required; submit documentation in a timely manner; assure that education files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained.
• Ensure that all classroom staff sign in each morning and sign-out when they leave at the end of the day. Sign-in and out should occur at staff break times, as well.
• Conduct home visits and parent/teacher conferences according to program schedule and policies and procedures.
• Continue professional development by participating in ongoing ECE education, training programs, attending workshops/conferences as budget allows; developing professional goals to work toward each year; maintaining and updating required certifications such as first aid and CPR, TSG interrater reliability, and the CC Licensing required ProSolutions certifications.
• Participate fully in weekly staffing meetings with the Family Advocate and education team, all-staff meetings, and collaborative meetings with other agencies, including participating in IEP meetings with children who are referred for special education services.
• Report any concerns for safety, health, or non-compliance to the Education Manager.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisors that are reasonably within the scope of duties listed above.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality
• Excellent organization and time management skills with ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel when necessary
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by families living in poverty
• Reliable source of transportation with 100/300 liability insurance coverage
• Physical strength/endurance/mobility to perform in a standard daily required work routine (i.e., walking, sitting, lifting, and driving to various sites as required)
• Maintain and model good hygiene, appropriate dress (neat, clean, and modest), and professional behavior to parents, staff and the community
• Maintain a positive and productive attitude regarding the Head Start Program and the CAP Agency when interacting both within Head Start and with the greater community
• Demonstrate, through positive words and actions, respect for and acceptance of income eligible families

Skills

• Strong communication skills and ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Good communication skills and ability to read, write, and communicate instructions

Employment Screening

• Valid Driver's License and insured vehicle (100/300 minimum coverage) for use on the job or acceptable alternative, driving record check, criminal record check, randomized drug screening
• Head Start, Early Head Start, Childcare, and Home Visiting Programs are also subject to the following:
• Head Start and NH Child Care Licensing require a criminal record check and finger printing to be completed prior to employment.
• An initial physical examination record must be obtained upon hire, updated every three years, and kept on file with Human Resources.
• If a TB screening indicates high risk, results of a TB test must be kept on file including any treatment received.
• An initial driving record check will be conducted. Driver’s license information will also be submitted to the agency’s automobile insurance carrier.