Preschool Teacher

40 hours a week, 10.5 months

Job Goal:

To implement early learning preschool programs that provide quality learning environments that are safe and nurturing where children can grow and learn. Teachers will partner with families to set goals around school readiness which include social, emotional, educational, physical, and nutritional goals. Work in coordination with health, behavioral health, family services, nutrition, and other components provided by Head Start to ensure the whole child and family is supported. Establish an environment that stimulates a desire for learning, independence, and self-esteem for both parents and children, both indoors and outdoors. Along with the parents, assess each child’s developmental needs and develop individual goals according to their individual interests, abilities, individual traits, and development. Ensure that goals are carried out through home and classroom activities. Teachers will use a multi-generational approach to engage all members of the family who support the enrolled child.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist in the planning and coordinating of the Education/Disabilities Component
  • Establish an environment which will stimulate a desire for learning, independence and self-esteem both parents and children, both indoor and outdoor s.
  • Develop daily plans and individual activity plans one week in advance and place in the classroom.
  • Along with the parents, assess each child’s developmental needs and develop individual goals according to their individual interests, abilities, individual traits and development Ensure that goals are carried out through home and classroom activities
  • Conduct Parent/Staff conferences two times per year, with input from Component Managers and team members
  • Encourage parents to participate in curriculum planning and program development
  • Ensure that classroom activities are developmentally appropriate and carried out according to Head Start/OPK and program philosophy, policies and procedures
  • Plan with parents and team members to ensure that daily personal hygiene of the children is met (i.e., feeding, diapering, toileting, tooth brushing and hand washing)
  • Ensure that the planning and involvement of children occurs in the preparation of nutritious snacks and clean-up of eating area
  • Provide for the constant supervision of all children using active supervision strategies.
  • Maintain, with team members and parents, an approach to guidance within the framework of Head Start/OPK policy to ensure that children are taught, disciplined, and supervised in a consistent manner
  • Act as the primary contact person for communicating with appropriate staff, families, volunteers, and assistant teacher (where appropriate) in matters relating to Head Start children, at the center level
  • With team members and parents, plan and inform all appropriate people of field trip and other activities
• Ensure all home visits with families are done each year as specified by program option
  • Ensure various attempts (at least 3) to make a home visit contact in cases where the parent was unable to meet at the predetermined time
  • Coordinate home activities incorporating family interests and goals

• • Develop, with the parent, individualized plans for each home visit
  • Encourage parents to become “teacher” on home visits
• Maintain an adequate social services referral system for coordinating the resolution of family needs and goals (Part Day & Combo models).
  • Make home visits with each family for the completion of the Family Partnership agreement and follow up on goals established
  • Assist families in developing resources for resolving emergent social service needs and follow up with families on the appropriateness of the resources
  • Refer families to appropriate agencies and follow up on referrals
  • Orient and provide information to staff and parents regarding social services and community resources
  • Establish and maintain communication lines with local schools and social services agencies
  • Represent Head Start at local community meetings as designated by supervisor
• Assist in the implementation of an agency wide Parent Involvement Program
  • Work with center teams to encourage parents to be involved in all components and programs of the agency
  • Promote prevention and family strengthening activities (picnics, parent cafes, leadership training , parenting classes, budgeting, self care , etc.) with center staff and parents
  • Ensure that volunteers are always supervised and never left alone with a child
  • Be available as a resource person for Parent Center training upon request
  • Provide assistance to center teams for involving parents in all components and programs of the agency
  • Provide assistance to center teams for involving males/fathers in the agency programs. Assist Volunteer Coordinator in implementing activities promoting Male/F ather engagement in local area
  • Identify and recruit parents to participate in Policy Council, Community Leadership Training and other Community activities
  • Assist in the coordination of the agency-wide Wellness Day and promote activity with all parents. Work with families to problem solve around barriers to participation
  • Assist in the implementation of the agency’s volunteer/career ladder program
• Assist the Health Services Manager in the Health Services component
  • Help families establish an ongoing relationship with health and dental care providers
  • Ensure that all medical and dental screens and appropriate follow-up and/or referrals are completed, including initial education with parents with first screening and each 6 month follow up thereafter with HS families regarding Lift the Lip exams
  • Ensure that the nutrition assessments are completed and appropriate follow-up and/or referrals are completed to include discussing WIC/Nutrition goals with classroom staff and following up with parents
  • Encourage parents to complete required immunizations for their children and keep CIS/Immunization Record up to date with all changes routed to Data Entry Clerk
  • Participate in staffing to share information concerning health issues
• Work with the Family Advocate in coordinating and implementing a parent education and support program for agency families (Enhanced and Full Day models)
  • Survey families for topics of interest and provide information to Family Advocate
  • Encourage parents to attend parent education programs available through UMHS and other community agencies
  • Assist families in resolving barriers to attending parent education programs
• Supervision of Teacher Assistant
  • Complete performance evaluation annually
  • Monitor job performance
  • Provide training and consultative services to teacher assistants so that they can adequately complete tasks
  • Delegate and assign tasks as described in the job descriptions and program policies
  • Monitor the Bus Monitor on the bus 2 times a year
• Be able to handle emergency situations as designated by program policies and procedures
• Assist in completion of the Program Information Report (PIR)
• Maintain a clean, orderly, safe, and attractive classroom with assistance of team members, parents and volunteers

Education Requirements:

• BA in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred; Associates’ Degree in ECE or a Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or Step 8 in Oregon Registry Online (ORO) with experience required.
• Enroll in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) to receive a Step Certificate

Experience and Skills Requirements:

• Previous Head Start and/or Early Head Start, Infant/Toddlers experience preferred
• Current CPR, First Aid and Food Handler’s cards
• Adequate means of transportation
• Home Visit experience (preferred)
• Case management experience (preferred)
• Supervisory experience (preferred)
• Previous Head Start or early childhood experience (preferred)
• Community service experience (preferred)
• Ability to coordinate and/or conduct training sessions (preferred)
• Multi-cultural experience (preferred)

General Staff Responsibilities:

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information
• Maintain objectives and professional standards
• Improve self-skills and education
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor

*Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Observe, compare, and monitor behaviors, records and data to determine compliance with prescribed standards
• Comprehend, analyze, and make inferences and references from written material
• Lift children up to 50 pounds from the floor to waist high ten to fifteen times a day
• Frequently crouch to a child’s height and maintain eye contact at a child’s level; stand tall enough to reach children on play equipment; stand or sit for long periods of time; walk up and down stairs; walk or run quickly; walk over rough or uneven ground.
• Frequently bend and kneel.
• Maintain the safety of the environment and children through visual, auditory and smelling senses
• Set up a classroom which requires moving of tables, chairs, shelves etc.
• Kneel or sit on the floor or in child sized furniture.
• Make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand positions
• Make skillful, controlled manipulations of small objects
• Perform regular sanitation of classroom and equipment which may require the use of broom, carpet sweeper, and mop.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment/Conditions:

• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions, as well as in an outdoor learning environment (exposure to weather)
• Requires exposure to cleaning fluids and sanitizing agents.
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people

Safety :

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties

• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace

Agency-Wide Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings
• Fluent in English both verbally and written

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.