Head Start Preschool Teacher

Job Function:        

To provide a daily classroom program that fulfills the philosophy, goals and objectives of Early Education and Care, Inc. programs.

It is the expectation that all employees seek additional opportunities to contribute to the success and progress of Early Education and Care and its programs.

Specific Job Duties:

1. Plan and implement a daily classroom program that is developmental, individualized and appropriate for the ages of children in care.
2. Encourage parent involvement by positive contact with parents on an ongoing basis.
3. Develop and post weekly lesson plans that include individual time, structured and unstructured activities providing a wide variety of experiences for each child including those in math, science, social studies, nutrition, cooking, creative music and movement, language and vocabulary development, pre-reading, cognitive skills and physical education.
4. Provide on-going development of learning centers, which makes available a variety of materials for exploration, a balance of familiar and challenging experiences for new learning opportunities.
5. Supervise children at all times and be able to immediately state/report how many children are present.
6. Create a classroom environment where children and fellow staff members are treated positively; ensure classroom management practices adhere to discipline policy.
7. Observe children closely noting problems or difficulties such as behavior, speech language, social interaction with other children, visual, hearing, etc. Report such problems verbally and in writing to the Center Director.
8. Respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.
9. Conduct the required parent/teacher conferences and home visits within the designated time frames for the purpose of assessment and support, and to share information on classroom progress and educational strategies at school and at home.
10. Assure general maintenance and security of facility and assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
11. Provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for children.
12. Provide guidance and support for each child.
13. Participate in all phases of teacher classroom responsibility and encourage professional growth.
14. Check attendance and submit monthly roster to the Center Director.
15. Must attend staff meetings, required in-service meetings, workshops, conferences, parent meetings and parent conferences as needed and obtain necessary 15-in-service training hours to meet the required yearly training.
16. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding information about families, children and staff.
17. Supervise students and volunteers assigned to classrooms.
18. Actively participate in the planning of agency events, such as Kidfest and other activities sponsored by Early Education and Care, Inc.
19. Responsible for gathering resources that will support contractual match requirements for Early Education and Care, Inc.s funding sources.
20. Abide by the policies and procedures set forth by the Board of Directors.

Limits of Authority:                    

Act under the supervision of the Center Director and assume any duties and responsibilities as delegated. Supervise staff as required.

Education & Experience:            

AA degree with focus on early childhood education, child development or closely related field, with willingness to further education accepted.

BA/BS in early childhood education, child development or closely related field (degree must include 18 credit hours of early childhood education or child development) preferred.

Extensive demonstrated experience in working with children and families is required.

Must have a minimum of two years of successful experience working with children ages 0-3 years old.

Employee must enroll (within the first 90 days of employment) in the DCF 45-clock hour Introductory Child Care Training Course and complete, as evidenced by passage of a competency examination, within 6 months of hire date.

Employee must complete fire extinguisher training and Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Syndrome training within 30 days of hire date.

Employee must complete the 4-hour Health and Nutrition course as well as the 5-hour Safety Practices training before entering a classroom.          

Employee must obtain and maintain a staff credential issued by DCF (Department of Children & Families) within 2 years of hire.

Employee must obtain and maintain CPR/AED and First Aid certification from approved agency.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:                                                          

Demonstrated ability to plan daily programs, effective communication skills, deal positively with children, parents, and co-workers.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.

Work Environment, Physical and Mental Abilities:        

Must submit current physical exam and TB tine screener or test (if needed) on 1^st day of employment; re-screens will be required periodically.

Sound mental and physical health.

The work environment is representative of the needs that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Work is performed in a classroom setting.  The noise level is usually moderate to high.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, write, hear and lift up to 40 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust and focus.

Personal Attributes:                   

Must meet all requirements as mandated by local licensing authority.

Must be neat, well-groomed and represent EEC as a professional at all times.

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