Teacher Lead

About the role

This position is responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of a Head Start/Early Head Start center or cluster of outlying centers. You will be responsible for providing coverage to multiple classrooms, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations; communicating with parents and the community; supervising and monitoring all staff assigned to the center(s).

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements classroom activities based on the individual needs of the children and according to the appropriate level of the child.
• Provides a balanced program of open learning and structured activities.
• Ensures that the child development, disabilities, curriculum, and performance standards are strictly adhered to in all programs.
• Maintains classroom discipline using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Promotes best practices in early childhood development based on Head Start Performance Standards, Creative Curriculum, and other prescribed curriculum used at Save the Children Head Start.
• Plans for and equips indoor and outdoor areas to meet children’s developmental and safety needs in accordance with budget.
• Aid Education Manager with the transition of Head Start children at your center.
• Participate in an individualized continuing education plan including CPR and First Aid.
• Conducts and documents home visits, conducts parent-teacher conferences as needed or required and plans family activities and encourages family involvement.
• Maintains documentation as required by agency.
• Participate on school readiness committee.
• Travel as needed throughout Save the Head Start areas.
• Arrange family fairs, events, and activities for the center.
• Responsible for monthly safety checks, fire drills as well as updating of any safety logs.
• Investigates any child or staff incidents, assuring all forms are complete and notifying the appropriate supervisor.
• Attends IEP meetings as needed or requested.
• Receives and refer to verbal and written complaints to Family/Community Partnership Manager about the center while supporting the Parent/Community Complaint procedure at the center level.
• Develops and facilitates a positive community presence in the community, focusing on networking opportunities, enhancement of volunteer participation and educational awareness efforts in regard to program needs.
• Responsible for monitoring and compliance with applicable local, state and federal rules, regulations and standards as well as with any state and federal contracts, health, safety and licensing regulations.
• Maintains strict confidentially with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Sets up a protective classroom and outdoor play area.
• Submits verbal and /or written reports to immediate supervisor or Head Start Director on the activities and status of the center on a regular basis and management team meeting’s.
• Maintains employee on-site file requirements and keeps them secure in locked files.
• Supports Family/Community Partnership Manager making sure all of the children’s files have correct/organized content and security.
• Contributes to the collection and edit processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with and follows the STC Head Start handbook, human resources policies and procedures, and operations manual.
• Serves as co-chair of the School Readiness Team supporting the chair of the committee.
• Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.
• Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
• Supervises the Assistant Teacher and other employees in the center and provides guidance as needed.
• Develops and maintains positive supportive relationships with child development staff.
• Works with Early Childhood Education Team to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs.
• Develops individual mentor coaching plans, with specific goals and area for growth identified which are based on classroom and teacher observations.
• Supports staff in ensuring that required screenings, assessments and overall individualization is occurring in classrooms.
• Provides constructive feedback and support to teaching staff for learning and growth.
• May include but not limited to activities, reading material, or other resources as needed to guide learning.
• Trains new teaching staff and maintain support as needed while they gain knowledge of their role and the responsibilities of their position.
• Plans and presents small group workshops on relevant child development topics based on program monitoring outcomes.
• Arranges substitutes for center.
• Models and exercises supervisory authority to support other employees in the execution of work duties in a manner consistent with STC Head Start standards for compliance with all applicable laws , rules and regulations, including STC Head Start policies and procedures reflecting best practices.

Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, plus at least two (2) years of relevant experience working with preschool children in a classroom setting.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Assistant Teacher, other staff and community partners in the provision of high quality services to children and families.
• Proven successful experience in the supervision of staff.
• Demonstrated ability and attention to detail in the completion of necessary administrative duties (i.e. documentation, emails, and meeting administrative deadlines).
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program.
• Demonstrated ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability and demonstrated understanding of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of all family information.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with children with disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, including children, families, staff, and the community.
• Demonstrated successful time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Physical Requirements related to essential functions: 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.
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Pay

The base pay for this position starts at $49,702. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, base salary of internal peers and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

Schedule

N/A