Lead Teacher - Head Start (Gosnell)

About the role

Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) are comprehensive federally funded school-readiness programs for low-income and special needs children. MAAC currently serves a diverse group of low-income children and their families in North County; the majority of the participating families are of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity. These programs ensure that children ages 0-3 (EHS) and 3-5 (HS) and their families are provided with comprehensive services to promote optimum physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement lesson plans to involve the approved Creative Curriculum to encompass current program goals
• Utilize classroom materials and routines as resources to provide an environment conductive to learning and appropriate to the development levels, interests, and special talents of the child
• Develop and maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment
• Implement rules and practices that provide and foster discipline in the child
• Provide age appropriate activities to promote social, physical, cognitive, creative, and self-concepts of the child
• Provide a continuing interactive process between families and providers that lead to strengthen family identified goals
• Develop and implement methods to utilize classroom volunteers, classroom aides, and parent volunteers
• Maintain and update written records and reports in a timely manner
• Maintain an open friendly relationship with staff, volunteers and parents
• Conduct required Home Visits with primary caregiver
• Recognize individual child differences in growth, development, and needs and develop individualized plans
• Work with Head Start families on their identified needs, informing them of community resources, providing information and referrals, assisting in the scheduling of appointments and follow-up services
• Integrate other Head Start components into the curriculum
• Provide client transportation as needed
• Work on the “Individual Family Plan” with each family beginning at “Phase- In” and updating at least three times during school year
• Lift, carry, restrain children weighing 30-50 pounds as needed
• Ensure personalized special services are provided to special needs children (i.e., feeding, assistance with toileting, including diapering, cauterization, urine bags, physically carrying the child-specialized equipment training will be provided as needed)
• Mainstream special needs children into the classroom environment
• Meet with parent(s) of special needs children to discuss educational objectives and special needs services

Qualifications and Skills

• Bilingual (English / Spanish) speaking, reading, and writing preferred
• Knowledge of early childhood education, child development, anti-bias education
• Knowledge of local educational and community resources, and their ability to be used in the classroom
• Knowledge of bilingual language acquisition
• Knowledge of Head Start policies and procedures desirable

Education/Experience/Certification

• Lead Teacher I: AA Degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and a minimum of 12 units in ECE and/or CD, including core units required. One (1) year experience with children in a child care setting.
• Lead Teacher II: BA Degree emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and a minimum of 12 units in ECE and/or CD, including core units required. One (1) year experience with children in a child care setting.
• Additional requirements: Must have and maintain a State of California Child Development Teacher Level Permit or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential OR a current credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing teaching service in elementary school or a single subject credential in home economics. Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred. Valid CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers certifications must be obtained within first two months (2) of employment and maintained throughout employment (paid, designated training available through MAAC).