Center-Based Classroom Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY

The Teacher is responsible for planning and implementation of infant/toddler classroom and center activities to create an appropriate environment. Implement the identified curriculum and foster developmentally appropriate practices, meeting Head Start Performance Standards and State Regulations. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, accountability, reliability, and aa commitment to continuous improvement, while contributing positively to a collaborative, respectful, and child-centered work environment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:  
• Provide feedback in a supportive, instructive and non-judgmental way; enhancing the ability of teaching staff to observe children's activities and experiences as part of the ongoing assessment process and to use this information to individualize the curriculum. 
• Evaluate classroom quality using the Early Childhood Education Rating Scale (ECERS) and other assessment tools. 
• Provide opportunities for children to use their creative abilities, and to explore and experiment with a variety of media through art, music, and drama in all aspects of the program. 
• Maintain a vibrant, well-arranged and orderly classroom; develops a plan to ensure the safety of the children while they are using indoor and outdoor facilities. 
• Inspect facilities for hazardous conditions, unsafe equipment and materials; follow an emergency exit plan and conduct monthly emergency exit drills. 
• Uses child assessment data to inform planning, individualization, and continuous improvement of classroom practices. 
• Create and implement a quality curriculum that meets the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, health, and nutritional needs of each child. This shall be done in accordance with Head Start and state standards. 
• Work with the Center-Based Manager to ensure balanced child-directed and adult-directed activities are implemented daily, including individual and small group experiences for children to support skill development in literacy, language and numeracy, to encourage critical thinking, problem solving skills, creativity and concept forming according to the developmental level of each child. 
• Ensure that ALL education aspects of the health, nutrition, mental health, safety, diversity and cultural awareness are integrated into the classroom activities. 
• Ensure a variety of strategies to promote and support children’s learning and development using informal and formal observations, on-going assessments, documentation of progress, which are maintained in portfolios for each child. 
• Conduct and write children’s observations, progress notes, and other documentations as needed to support children’s learning. 
• Assist with transition planning services for students and their families. 
• Ensure that the environment meets safety standards established by the program and follows state and federal regulations. 
• Provide opportunities for children to interact and cooperate with one another to promote respect, acceptance and appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity, and promote appropriate social skills, competence, and respect for the feelings and rights of others. 
• Coordinate with Family Service Support Manager, Health Manager and other Early Head Start staff. 
• Serve as mandated reporter and report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect 
• Communicate with parents of their child’s developmental growth and progress. 
• Maintains professional communication and collaboration with colleagues, supervisors, and families, contributing to a positive and solution-oriented team environment. 
• Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness to program needs, including schedule or assignment adjustments. 

QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) or higher in Early Childhood Education. 
• Child Development Associate AA plus a CDA Credential. 
• 3 units in Infant/Toddler development. 
• Experience teaching early childhood is required. 
• Good computer skills are required. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Work and Excel). Head Start knowledge preferred