Head Start Teacher

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

About the Role

We can train a person enrolled in college with completion of an Associate’s Degree within 18 months of employment. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education along with bilingual (Spanish) skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children; no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Provide responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities.
• Use prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development; integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
• Contribute to and support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes.
• Provide and support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including parent conferences and group activities.
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, ensuring appropriate supervision of children at all times, and adhering to all standards of conduct.
• Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS Pre-K instrument.
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards.
• Establish regular communication with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s routine, classroom activities, behavior, and progress.
• Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation to ensure compliance, currency, and organization.
• Monitor the classroom to ensure it is free from physical and environmental hazards; report all incidents within designated timeframes.
• Incorporate age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments; change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
• Respond to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
• Identify potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness; coordinate with education, family, mental health, and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
• Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings, and team decision-making and operations.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers, and professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrate the ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish (preferred).
• Demonstrate ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Maintain computer literacy required to meet the responsibilities of the position.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Ability to work independently.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass a health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successfully pass a driving history check.
• Clear a criminal background check.
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and at-risk neighborhoods.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for conferences, meetings, and other duties; some overnight travel may be necessary.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events like field trips.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s Degree required (can train a person enrolled in college with completion of AA within 18 months of employment).
• Two (2) years of experience in an early childhood classroom preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). All employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof.