Teacher - Rockbridge/Buena Vista

Every TAP employee shares in TAP’s responsibility to “Mobilize Community Resources” in support of TAP’s anti-poverty efforts.

DEFINITION AND PURPOSE:

The Teacher is tasked with overseeing the classroom staff within their assigned classroom. Their primary responsibility is to support the Lead Teacher/ Center Supervisor in maintaining an environment that reflects the goals of Head Start. This includes providing children with educational experiences that foster their mental, social, emotional, and physical development. In coordination with all service area and classroom staff, the Teacher ensures that children receive nurturing and successful experiences in the child development centers. Additionally, they recognize and uphold the vital role of parents as the primary influencers in their children's lives.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Supervised by: Lead Teacher or Center Supervisor, Education CoordinatorSupervises: Teacher Assistant, Child Care Aide, Classroom Substitutes

Coordinates with: Center and Administrative staff, Community Specialists, Classroom Volunteers

RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans activities that meet the social, emotional, physical, and educational needs of the children in the classroom.

• Writes and posts lesson plans at least two weeks in advance.
• Incorporates IEP/IFSP goals in lesson plans as required.
• Schedules and organizes field trips and food experiences.
• Maintain and completes developmental screening tool on each child within 45 days of child’s date of entry and throughout the year.
• Uses results of developmental screening tool to individualize for each child and provides learning aides as needed.
• Completes and maintains ongoing assessment and education files for each child.
• Schedules and makes two home visits and two in-school parent/teacher conferences per child per year.
• Prepares a flexible classroom schedule.
• Reviews each child’s progress weekly.
• Distributes and collects parent communication notes.
• Prepares materials for activities daily
• Must enter child’s observation and individualizations into online Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG) database weekly and complete all children driven data for outcomes in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate skills in the CLASS Tool to promote a positive, engaging, responsive, respected, child-centered, and safe environment. By nurturing

meaningful interactions, educators will support children's holistic development.

• Ensures attendance and meals are completed at the point of service daily and recorded in ChildPlus.

Maintains a working knowledge of all Head Start Performance Standards, Policies and Licensing Regulations.

• Based on Head Start performance standards and Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, demonstrates developmentally appropriate practice throughout the center in all interactions with children.
• Follows requests made by the licensing agent upon request.
• Submits licensing reports to appropriate supervisor.
• Arranges and maintains a classroom environment conducive to exploration and experiential learning with interest areas labeled, defined, and accessible to children.
• Calls supervisor two hours prior to center opening when unable to report to work (tardiness, sickness, emergencies).
• Ensures Health notebooks, Medications, and First Aid backpacks are checked monthly.
• Works to continue education by attending classes, meetings, workshops, and conferences related to Head Start and early childhood education, earning at least 21 training hours per program year as defined in the TAP Head Start training plan.
• Attends monthly lead teacher’s meeting and others as requested.
• Develops professional development goals with supervisor, annually.
• Participates in classes, workshops, in-service trainings, meetings, and conferences that move toward meeting professional development goals.
• Continues education toward the goal of completing a BA or BS degree if applicable and maintains all required certifications, licenses and credentials.
• Assists the Supervisory Staff in creating an atmosphere in the center that is welcoming to parents and families.
• Encourages daily parent participation by providing parents with information about how they can be involved.
• Handles challenging situations with composure and tact, seeking resolution in a professional manner and represents the center and organization positively in all interactions, both within and outside the workplace.
• Works with all service area staff, parents, and community partners to maintain a quality program.

Assists Supervisory staff by ensuring coverage in all classrooms to be in compliance with Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Programs in Virginia and Head Start Performance Standards.

• Selects age appropriate materials and supplies for the children.
• Creates and implements activities as needed for individual children.
• Includes staff from all service areas in all aspects of daily operations, as needed.
• Supports parents/child in the IEP/IFSP process by submitting required paperwork and attending meetings.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to supervisor and calls Child Protective Services immediately.
• Follows all policies and procedures in TAP Head Start Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Adheres to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and TAP Head Start Code of Conduct.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.Top of Form

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of best practices in the field of Early Childhood Education.
• Considerable knowledge of developmental characteristics and needs of preschool children.
• Knowledge of appropriate activities and interactions with preschool children.
• Ability to learn, understand and follow policies and procedures outlined in the TAP Head Start Policies and Procedures Manual and other written and oral directions from program staff and supervisors.
• Ability to communicate with staff, parents, and children in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Some knowledge of supervisory and motivational techniques for adults.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• AA degree with concentration in early childhood education or child development with ability to complete BA or BS degree.
• BS with concentration in early childhood education or child development (preferred) OR
• BS in related field, with at least 18 credit hours of early childhood or child development courses OR BS in related field with a CDA.
• Must have two years classroom experience in working with young children and families.
• Must have at least one year supervisory experience.
• At TAP, we focus on the Whole Family Approach. Whole Family is a family led strategy to achieve set goals. As an employee you may be required to attend Whole Family training and subject to data entry into the agency’s software as part of the Whole Family approach and serving clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a valid Virginia Operator’s license and reliable transportation.
• TAP participates in the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program. Employees who operate a TAP vehicle or their personal vehicle to conduct TAP business may be subject to driver record monitoring through the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program.
• Must pass drug screening. Some positions require positive complete background screening including: criminal, sex offender and child protective services.
• Must be able to interact with children.
• Must have CPR, First Aid Certification, and MAT certification or be able to complete such certification within 6 months of employment.
• Must be available to work any eight (8) hour shift during center operational hours of 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Physical activity of this position – climbing; ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like; balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, use of fingers for – picking, pinching, and typing; grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Physical requirements of this position – medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Visual acuity requirements – must be able to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
• Conditions worker subject to in this position – worker in not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required by the Supervisor.

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties that may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

We only hire individuals legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace

Bilingual Ability is a plus

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.50 - $33.91 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $34