Lead Teacher

About This Opportunity:  Responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate program that contributes to children’s

overall growth, self-esteem and social competence. Develop individual goals for children, provide on-going assessment on progress and facilitate 

transition to pre-school and/or kindergarten. 

Responsibilities:

• Implements the Head Start philosophy and objectives as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, program policies and procedures, making appropriate decisions regarding emergencies or unscheduled events
• Maintain paper and electronic children’s files according to Program, EEC and Head Start standards. Enter observation, assessment, case notes, screenings, parent teacher conferences and other required documentation. Follow up on child absences and record attendance when family service staff is not available (school vacations, illness, etc.)
• Maintain own EEC personnel file on site including a current physical, immunizations, qualifications, training certificates. Record all training promptly in the EEC PQ registry
•  Post all required documents in the classrooms as indicated in EEC, Head Start standards and program policies
• Ensure parent permissions are on file for emergency release people, releasing of information, etc.
• Review all children’s files including medical information for health issues, i.e., allergies. Review and follow individual health plans
• Follow the program’s behavior management plan
• Interact with children respectfully and affectionately, fostering positive self-concept and independence by promoting self-help and problem solving utilizing goals from Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) as a guide
• Provides an environment in which children can learn and practice behaviors which are appropriate and acceptable individually and in a group by arranging furniture and equipment, and classroom materials to meet the changing needs of the children utilizing the Early Childhood and/or Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scales as a guide.
• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, multi-cultural curriculum that maximizes each child’s opportunity for success utilizing Head Start Early Learning Frameworks, Program School Readiness Goals, Creative Curriculum Studies and Teaching Strategies Gold in planning to meet the standards
• Give guidance and direction to assistant teachers, aides, volunteers and student teachers.  Share planning, organizing and implementing the daily program with co-teachers/assistant teachers, serving as a role model and sharing observations on a daily basis
• Use space, material and routine to establish an interesting and safe environment utilizing E.C.E.R.S. and I.T.E.R.S., that encourages exploration and learning indoors and out. Actively participate in outdoor play with children, transporting large muscle equipment when necessary
• Assists in housekeeping tasks, grocery shopping and food preparation in accordance with Head Start and Child Care Food Program guidelines. Assist in clean-up, including lifting and transporting food containers, coolers and dirty dish bins as needed
• Maintain an open, friendly and informative relationship with each child’s family encouraging involvement in the program  Prepare monthly presentation for parent meetings attend evening parent meetings or appointments when scheduled
• Complete two home visits a year, two parent/teacher conferences and other parent conferences as needed in the child’s home, taking appropriate measures to ensure a smooth transition from one classroom or program to another utilizing the programs transition forms
• Initiates bi-weekly staff meeting with classroom team and other support staff to share and discuss relevant information about children, families and classroom operations
• Work cooperatively and maintain professional relationships with co-workers, supervisors and other Head Start staff to promote achievement of goals and objectives
• Complete daily health and safety checklists and report any safety concerns promptly. Compete and record monthly fire drills/building evacuation
• Ensure that all children are safe and accounted for. All children are in the direct supervision of a qualified staff member
• Assumes responsibility to work independently and meets program time lines to ensure a well-run classroom
•  Establishing clear objectives for all lessons and communicating those objectives to children and families
• Complies with the Head Start Abuse and Neglect policy
• Review and evaluate one’s own teaching and learning strategies, methodologies to align with state standards, Head Start performance standards, five year program goals, Head Start and Early Head Start.
• Participate in at least 20 hours of training per year to comply with EEC, QRIS and Head Start standards. Enter all training/course work into Professional Qualification (P.Q.) registry. Renew P.Q. registry annually
• Performs other tasks as assigned

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate Degree working towards Bachelor Degree
• Access to reliable transportation
• Dependable and Flexible
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work with other adults and children
• Willingness to attend job related trainings
• Ability to follow directions
• Exhibit cultural sensitivity
• Bi-lingual staff must be able to speak, write and read in two languages, and assist with translations as necessary.
• Fulfillment of all specific health and safety requirements (staff physical every two years, with evidence of Monteux and MMR test, OSHA, first aid and CPR)
• Must have a suitable Background Record Check (BCR)
• Must be in good physical and mental health and be able to lift children and/or work related equipment, walk, bend, sit on floor and climb stairs
• Follow MOC policies and procedures as described in the Staff Handbook and Personnel Policies as well as the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Dept. of Early Education and Care regulations
•  Must pass the reliable rater test and keep certification valid within the first year of employment for the programs assessment system in English (and Spanish if a bilingual teacher)