Teacher – Preschool Head Start

Applicants must upload the following required clearances: Act 24 Arrest and Conviction Report, Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance, Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Act 114 Federal Criminal History Clearance.

About the Role

This position serves as the lead worker in a Head Start classroom, planning, implementing, and supervising all classroom activities. The role involves working with typically developing children and children with disabilities, serving as a social service referral person, and promoting parent involvement and school readiness. The teacher collaborates with an integrated team to support program goals and may be reassigned to various classrooms or centers as needed.

Responsibilities

• Program Development
  • Attend required training and workshops.
  • Stay updated on Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, OCDEL regulations, and other applicable practices.
  • Collaborate with education staff and parents to develop a meaningful curriculum that meets school readiness needs.
  • Prepare weekly lesson plans with objectives posted for parents, volunteers, and visitors.
  • Develop individual plans for each child, including goal setting and activities to meet established outcomes.
  • Schedule and document home visits and parent-teacher conferences.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
  • Prepare a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
  • Develop individual training plans for supervised staff, outlining expectations and timelines.
• Preschool Program Implementation
  • Supervise classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor activities.
  • Plan and provide a developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum.
  • Direct special needs or problems to the appropriate manager or specialist.
  • Implement learning experiences that advance children’s intellectual and physical competence, including literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills.
  • Align lesson plans with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and Framework.
  • Support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance.
  • Maintain professionalism and pursue ongoing professional development.
  • Share information with Family Services Workers to ensure coordinated services.
  • Supervise and model nutritious meals with children to teach good nutrition and social skills.
  • Maintain a stable classroom routine and environment.
  • Screen, observe, and document children as required.
  • Follow regulations for occupational disease and injury prevention, including universal precautions.
• Recordkeeping
  • Submit daily attendance records to the main office.
  • Submit monthly progress reports to the supervisor.
  • Supervise or order supplies and maintain inventory.
  • Submit monthly bills and reports to the central office.
  • Maintain child records in cooperation with the Family Services Worker.
  • Gather and maintain data for documentation, assessment, and program planning.
  • Document in-kind and other allowable costs for the non-federal share requirement.
• Parent and Community Engagement
  • Establish systems to meet program needs for parent engagement in each classroom.
  • Build positive and productive relationships with families, focusing on trust and rapport.
  • Participate in parent orientation to Head Start throughout the year.
  • Facilitate and support monthly Parent Committee meetings at the center.
  • Schedule and document parent-teacher conferences and home visits.
  • Involve parents in educational activities, emphasizing their role in child development.
  • Arrange for parents to volunteer in the classroom, including as substitutes.
  • Collect monthly in-kind records from parents and submit them to the office.
  • Write a classroom newsletter every other month and contribute to the program newsletter.
  • Promote Head Start positively in the community.
  • Orient and supervise classroom volunteers.
  • Collaborate with local school systems for shared activities and smooth transitions.
• Supervision
  • Plan and direct the work of supervised staff, including Assistant Teachers and Program Aides.
  • Observe and provide weekly feedback to staff.
  • Make daily job assignments and model appropriate classroom practices.
  • Set classroom standards and goals for staff, monitor progress, and provide feedback.
  • Submit performance appraisals in a timely manner.
  • Supervise classroom staff and volunteers daily, monitoring performance and activities.
  • Conduct competency assessments and performance evaluations.
  • Make personnel decisions or submit recommendations to the supervisor.
  • Determine training needs and make recommendations to meet program goals.
  • Develop and support individual development plans for assigned staff.
• Training
  • Participate in all required training and professional development activities under Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and OCDEL.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and skills in early childhood development.
• Understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, OCDEL Early Learning Standards, and Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and Framework.
• Knowledge of community service resources and basics of supervision.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations on child abuse, neglect, and child care licensing.
• Ability to perceive the needs of children and work well with staff, children, and families.
• Strong organizational and classroom management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and positive attitude in early childhood education.

Skills

• Language Skills
  • Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
  • Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English.
  • Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret educational journals.
  • Ability to speak before groups of individuals.
  • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are helpful.
• Mathematical Skills
  • Ability to calculate percentages and overtime.
• Reasoning Skills
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Ability to interpret complex instructions and summarize conclusions.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in all situations.
• Other Skills
  • Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, and the public.
  • Professionalism in daily activities.

Education and Experience

• An AA or higher in Early Childhood Education, or another AA degree with 6 courses in early childhood education plus six months of experience working with preschool children, is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field is preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Previous supervision experience preferred.
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Occasional need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.
• May be required to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Exposure to communicable diseases.
• Moderate to loud noise levels in the work environment.
• Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for conferences, meetings, or other duties, including overnight travel.
• Work is typically performed in a classroom setting, with some office work required.
• Some evenings and weekend work may be required.