Preschool Teacher

Greater Norwalk Head Start / Early Learning Program seeks full-time Early Childhood Education Teacher.
This position serves as the Lead Teacher in a classroom of 16 to 20 Head Start / Preschool (3–5-year-old) children. The position is responsible for the planning and implementing of classroom and related activities for preschool children. This position is the indirect supervisor of an Assistant Teacher and a Classroom Aid (CDA Specialist). This position is chiefly responsible for the following core functions of the Head Start program and performs other tasks as needed:

Summary:

• Planning (20%)
• Program Implementation (50%)
• Family Partnerships (10%)
• Communication and Service Coordination (5%)
• Record Keeping and Recording (5%)
• Ongoing Monitoring and Self-Assessment (5%)
• Supervision and Human Resources (5%)

Essential Job Responsibilities:
Planning

1. Ensure the written curriculum includes:

• goals for children’s development and learning;
• the experiences through which children will achieve these goals;
• what staff and parents can do to help children achieve these goals;
• the materials needed to support the implementation of the curriculum towards achieving the stated goals

1. Responsible for the preparation of daily lesson plans. Post them for parents, volunteers and visitors in the classroom
2. Develop an individual plan for each child including goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established child outcomes

Program Implementation

1. Follow program curriculum providing developmentally and linguistically appropriate experiences appropriate to age, language and culture of children served
2. Implement active learning experiences advancing the intellectual and emotional competence of children
3. Provide a print rich environment in which children develop literacy, numeric and social skills using increasingly complex language and problem solving abilities
4. Provide positive guidance and discipline supporting children as they acquire readiness skills for kindergarten and beyond
5. Implement daily lesson plans in response to children’s needs and interests incorporating observations, anecdotal record keeping, knowledge of early childhood development and the key experiences
6. Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with disabilities
7. Provide children with a consistent classroom routine
8. Provide supervision and ensure the safety and security of children at all times in accordance with Head Start and day care licensing requirements
9. Supervise and eat nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity, to model good nutrition, proper social skills, and family style meal service
10. Supervise all classroom field trips and outdoor activities
11. Understand regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination

Head Start Employee Expectations

• Uphold shared values of the program
• Give and receive constructive feedback
• Cooperate with co-workers, providing assistance, information or other support as it is needed to ensure quality service to children and families and to build and maintain positive staff relationships
• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities
• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment
• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being hones and ethical, following through on commitment
• Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development and mange performance by taking responsibility for one’s own performance, setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress and addressing performance issues promptly
• Attend local state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally
• Exhibit flexibility by showing an openness to different and new ways of doing things, and changing strategy when an initial strategy is unsuccessful
• Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it
• Respect the time constraints of your co-workers by showing up to meetings promptly, attending school daily, and giving advance notice if for any reason you are unable to carry out your responsibilities

Benefits:
Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including paid-holidays, paid-time off, health, dental, vision coverage and a retirement program.
$1,000 sign on bonus currently being offered.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Successful candidates must possess:

• AA in Early Childhood Education (minimum)
• BA preferred with at least twelve credits in early childhood
• BA in another field with applicable work experience may be considered.
• Ability to pass an OEC background check and fingerprinting screening.
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including health care coverage and retirement program. Send resume and letter of interest.

Health Requirements:

• Recent fit for duty examination.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Closing Date: open until Filled

Equal Opportunity Employer