Early Head Start Teacher

Under the direction of the Early Head Start Director, assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children.
Essential Functions:

• Perform the functions of this position with a string understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans, and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Practices.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children;
• Maintain comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observation in each area, examples of the childs work , and a development assessment, completed as per IMSHS procedure:
• Use home visits and parent conference to discuss the childs individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observation;
• Eat with and assist the children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices
• Guide childrens acquisition of social skills
• Attend staff training and meetings, and parent meetings as requested;
• Works with other teachers, Teacher Assistant and volunteers to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe
• Assist in implementing childrens IEP(Individual Education Plan) or IFSP ( Individual Family Service Plan) seeking clarification for any aspect that are not well understood
• Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed
• Complete and submit required forms and records timely and accurately (lesson plans, time sheets, meal reports etc.,)
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Teacher professional development plan
• Assure that files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained
• Performs other duties as required and assigned

Education/Experience:

• A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development
• If no credential, must have willingness to enroll in agency-provided classes to earn the credential

Knowledge/Abilities:

• Ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning and analytical skills in: training, evaluation, and program development
• Effective interpersonal and oral communication skills for supervisory duties
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community
• Ability to work well with young children and adult staff; providing guidance to foster their optimum development from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds
• Effective writing and oral communication skills to conduct meetings and training sessions, and to prepare reports that are clear, complete, comprehensive, and use good grammar and punctuation
• Ability to respond positively to Child Abuse/Neglect clearance check