Job Description

HS Teacher

The Teacher is responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring the fiscal, physical and operational aspects of a Head Start Center. This responsibility includes setting up classrooms and developing and implementing educational programs. The Head Start Teacher will work together with the Head Start Bus Driver to provide safe transportation for the children in accordance with all state and local laws and Head Start transportation guidelines.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Responsible for direction of classroom activities, health, safety and well-being of the children during time in the Head Start program.
• Assist in developing the overall curriculum.
• Develop weekly lesson plans outlining daily classroom activities and individual plans to meet children's needs within the curriculum.
• Help administer required health related screening to children, document results.
• Administer developmental screening to each child, document results.
• Assess each child's on-going development and individualize for each child based on their strengths and weaknesses, document.
• Observe each child on a regular schedule and document observations and document.
• Refer any children with suspected problems.
• Responsible for the facilities, equipment and consumable supplies used in the center.
• Maintaining a clean, sanitary and comfortable classroom environment.
• Perform teaching tasks as directed by supervisor and as outlined in curriculum.
• Responsible for home visits for each family and child to assist with understanding the goals of the Head Start program and the parent role in the development of their child.
• Stimulate parent involvement in classroom activities, utilize parents as volunteers in the center and assist Parent Committees in organizing and conducting programs.
• Prepare and submit necessary agency and Head Start reports as assigned.
• Maintain the confidentiality requirements of the program.
• Relate the Head Start purpose and goals to parents, staff and the general community and undertake other public information activities as assigned.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Head Start staff and other human services staff in the community.
• Advise Supervisor concerning the needs of Head Start children and parents, and programming necessary to meet those needs.
• Participate in Head Start training and career development activities appropriate to maintain a high degree of professionalism in work with children and parents.
• Be current with professional resources to increase knowledge of early childhood education.
• Attend pre-service and in-service training.
• Participate in college credit courses leading to completion of BS degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field.
• Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
• Work cooperatively with the administrative staff and other agency personnel.
• Never leave a child unattended at any time.
• Assist children and their parents on and off the bus. Make sure a responsible person is home to receive the child. Take a child into a child care center, if needed, and assure child is with responsible staff person.
• Responsible for controlling all passengers on the vehicle and for ensuring that safety restraints are used for everyone. There should be a positive atmosphere on the vehicle that will provide for learning in a safe and healthy environment.
• Report all accidents to supervisor immediately.
• Maintain required documentation concerning mileage, etc.
• Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program's first and last contact of the day.
• Be available to ride bus for field trips, dental and medical trips (if necessary), and other trips.
• Use agency vehicles for official Head Start and agency business only. The vehicle is not to be used for breaks, personal errands, etc.
• Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
• Emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. System is utilized for Head Start business only.
• Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Possess an AA degree in the area of child development, early childhood education or a related field.
• Must have 8 credit hours in early childhood education if degree is not in related field or obtain a Preschool CDA credential
• Obtain additional required education, as mandated by performance standards.
• Knowledge and experience in early childhood development, teaching methods and practices, as required by performance standards.
• Ability to relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
• Ability to supervise classroom staff.
• Ability to develop and implement effective structural classroom experiences based upon the Head Start curriculum and individual children's needs.
• Knowledge of all social and health resources in the community and ability to make effective referrals to such resources.
• Ability to work effectively with other Head Start staff and local community agencies and individuals.
• Knowledge of the purpose, goals and objectives of the Head Start program.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a manner projecting a positive image to the children, parents, staff, program, agency and community.
• Ability to operate a vehicle and possess a current license.
• Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
• Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.

Additional requirements include personal qualifications: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies.

Working conditions include risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running; and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor.

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