EARLY LEARNING CONNECTIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO: PROGRAM MANAGER

SUMMARY: Head Teacher will design and implement education curriculum following Head Start Performance Standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works in conjunction with other Head Start staff in ensuring that education program objectives and activities are carried out in accordance with the Performance Standards.
• Responsible for planning a quality child development program responsive to the child's emotional, social, intellectual, and physical needs.
• Supervises and evaluates Assistant Teachers, Foster Grandparents, Manpower Aides, Child Development High School Students, and Volunteers within the classroom.
• Reports directly to the Program Manager or Director of ELP in Program Managers absence.
• The Head Teacher will assume responsibility for the safety of the children in his/her care.
• Plans and conducts an Education Program geared to the individual child's interests, abilities, special talents, and needs.
• Helps each child become aware of his/her role as in integral member of a group.
• Responsible for the arrangement, appearance, dcor and learning environment of the classroom.
• Supervises staff to maintain a clean, orderly, and safe environment.
• Assures maintenance of an inventory of equipment and supplies for their classroom.
• Maintains supplies and equipment in good order and repair and submits, in advance, written requests of needed supplies, equipment, repairs, etc. to Program Manager.
• Developmentally screens individual children.
• Maintains, evaluates, and updates each child's developmental profile.
• Supervises staff who maintain records of attendance and observation reports on each child enrolled in the Center.
• Consults with the Program Manager, Director of ELP, and Health/Nutrition/Disabilities Director on individual children.
• Communicates to the Program Manager any professional problems of the classroom.
• Effectively utilizes the services of Assistant Teachers, Classroom Assistants, and volunteers by providing guidance in planning and implementing the educational goals of the program.
• Communicate with families in their spoken language or make accommodations and work closely with an interpreter.
• Attends all regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Develops weekly lesson plans in consultation with other staff members, parents and submits them and agenda to the Program Manager.
• Supervises housekeeping duties of staff and assists when necessary.
• Establishes a positive rapport with parents of the children.
• Assists parents in increasing their knowledge, understanding, skills, and experiences in child development and growth.
• Attends Parent Meetings
• Conducts and documents required parent contacts and home visits throughout the program year to share information about the child with the parents and to plan with them how to meet their child's needs.
• Participates in recommended training programs, conferences, courses, and other aspects of professional growth.
• Plans field trips using appropriate forms and secures approval from the Program Manager.
• Plans for and conducts monthly fire drills and submits reports to the Program Manager.
• Promote the organization in the community by sharing the responsibility of active recruitment of children.
• Support the program-wide adoption of the teaching pyramid model to promote the development of young children's social-emotional competence and address challenging behavior.
• Create and maintain a positive organizational culture by demonstrating the program-wide behavioral expectations in their social interactions with children, families, community members, and colleagues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of undergraduate program at an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development, or related field with 30 ECE credits, Elementary Ed with 18 ECE credits

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times to ensure their safety in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips.
• Must be able to communicate with parents and preschool children in their spoken language or make accommodations and work closely with an interpreter.
• Must be able to lift up to 45 lbs.
• Must be able to climb, stoop, crawl, kneel, and bend in order to speak to children at the child's eye level, play with children, and pick up toys and equipment from the floor.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.