Teacher Early HS I

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Develop and implement individualized and group lesson plans and educational activities that promote all developmental areas to improve the readiness of children for preschool.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children including daily classroom activities and field trips.
• Select and set up equipment and materials in the classroom and ensure a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Practice responsive caregiving to promote relational learning and include individualized and small group activities that integrate appropriate routines into a flexible schedule of learning experiences.
• Plan and conduct conferences (minimum 2) and home visits (minimum of 2) or more often as needed to ensure parents/caregiver is well informed on their child’s progress of development and learning, routines, activities and behavior and assist parents in developing observational skills.
• Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated online systems.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Plan, conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings; maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child including weekly observations, examples of the child's work and developmental assessments.
• Work with Program Aides and Volunteers to develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe.
• Eat with and assist children in eating during mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Ensure that the physical needs of children are met, assisting children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, diapering and toilet habits.
• Create ways to engage parents in the education of their children such as encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Create an inventory of all classroom equipment and supplies annually.
• Work in cooperation with Manager of Education & Inclusion to develop and document progress on professional development plan; actively engage in professional development activities to increase qualifications.
• Keep the classroom clean and organized.
• Ensure the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind activities, goods and services.
• Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have been picked up by parent/legal guardian.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate degree in child development, early childhood education or a related degree with early childhood equivalent coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high quality services to children and families.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.
• Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping.
• This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.