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POSITION SUMMARY: The Teacher is responsible for the implementation and coordination of the comprehensive education program in the classroom. The Teacher ensures that the classroom activities and environment are developmentally appropriate and reflect the agency's philosophy and curriculum. The Teacher ensures that the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by federal, state and local standards.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The Teacher reports to the Master Teacher. The Teacher Assistant and/or Teacher Aide report to the Teacher. All classroom floater staff, substitutes, interns and volunteers assigned to the classroom takes direction from the Teacher regarding all classroom tasks and responsibilities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Supervision
  • Supervise, coach and mentor the Teacher Assistant and Teacher Aide in the classroom.
  • Supervisory responsibilities including:
    • Complete and execute performance appraisals with the Master Teacher
    • In conjunction with the Site Manager and/or Master Teacher, complete and execute corrective actions as needed.
    • Conduct team and individual reflective supervision meetings.
    • First level of approval for time off requests and time sheet review.
• Administration
  • Develop and maintain confidential educational information for each child.
  • Facilitate and document team meetings.
  • Ensure all required program documentation is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Participates in recruitment efforts of program participants to help maintain full program enrollment.
  • Monitor and ensure that daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed.
  • Ensure all confidential information is protected.
• Child Development
  • Observe, assess and document each child's health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
  • Provide opportunities for the children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
  • Ensure the development of individualized educational strength plan for each child.
  • Participate in Family/Child Reviews.
  • Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
  • In conjunction with the Master Teacher, the Teacher will coordinate team participation in family staffings and other meetings as required.
• Curriculum
  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities which will promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
  • Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement into the plans.
  • In collaboration with the Master Teacher implement and help assess the program's educational plan.
  • Work with evaluation team to integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.
• Classroom Environment
  • Establish and maintain a classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques that meets state and local licensing regulations, Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Ounce's philosophy and curriculum.
  • Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision at all times.
  • Develop and maintain an attractive, clean, safe and engaging environment that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Parent Involvement
  • In coordination with Family Support Staff:
    • Schedule and ensure completion of at least two Parent/Staff conferences for each child.
    • Schedule, conduct and ensure the completion of two home visits per program year for each child.
    • Encourage and provide opportunities for parent participation in the program.
    • Provide examples and ideas for educational activities for parent/child participation at home.
    • Develop effective partnerships with families.
• Other
  • Attend all required meetings and trainings, including supervisory trainings.
  • Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.
  • Follow all mandates of Head Start regulations, state and local licensing and the Ounce's philosophy and curriculum.
  • Input classroom data into appropriate information systems.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS:

• Teacher II -Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), or related field with a minimum of 27 credits in ECE or CD,
• AND two years experience in relevant early childhood group setting required.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIRMENTS:

• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• A biannual physical examination and TB test are required as condition of initial employment and continued employment.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of and ability to implement early childhood curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice for the specific age group (0-3 or 3-5) and be able to remain abreast of developments in the child development field.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement Head Start Performance Standards and state and local licensing requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and ability to implement reflective supervision.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to communicate and work with diverse families and professionals.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology /software as needed.
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have excellent command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations.

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