Head Start Teacher

Position Summary: The Head Start Teacher is responsible for the daily programming for children enrolled at St. Joseph Academy in the Early Head Start program. The role includes providing developmentally appropriate practices and high quality early care and education. The Head Start Teacher ensures that the needs of children and their families are understood and communicated as the primary SJA liaison. The teacher will have strong knowledge of working with children from birth to age three in order to adapt curriculum and expectations as they loop with the children served. The teacher implements the early childhood program within local, state and federal guidelines, rules, regulations and laws, Wisconsin licensing, Federal Head Start Standards, and accreditation standards.

Position Reports to : ECEC Director



Qualifications:

• BA degree in early childhood education or related field preferred (Staff meeting minimum requirement of an Early Childhood Associates Degree, Child Development Associate (CDA) or successful completion of 12 college credits in Infant/Toddler early childhood education)

• 2+ years experience within early care working in a licensed childcare setting working with from birth to three years.

• Level 9 or above on the Registry

• Knowledge of Early Head Start standards

• Exemplary interpersonal, collaborative, and planning skills

• Interest and ability to support children and their families

• Ability to analyze an issue, identify options, and implement solutions

• Ability to work cooperatively with people in and outside of the Education/Childcare Services department

• Ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) and effectively interact with children, their family members, management, and staff members

• Ability to respond positively to work direction and guidance from others

• Ability to work independently, managing multiple demanding tasks under critical timeframes

Equipment Used: personal computers, printers, phone systems, fax machine, photocopier



Physical and Mental Requirements: Must have ability to sit (25%), walk/stand (75%), routinely throughout the shift. Must be able to periodically lift up to 50 lbs. Must have functional senses/manual dexterity to carry out the job; communicate effectively; and use of office equipment. Must have the ability to deal effectively with the stress of managing emergency/critical situations and multiple tasks.



Environmental Conditions:
Performs duties with exposure to infectious or communicable diseases inherent to care children, and occasional exposure to loud or unpleasant voices due to unpredictable behavior of the children and seasonal exposure to high humidity, heat and cold due to the internal and external environment.



Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures consistent compliance and meets all YoungStar, accreditation and/or licensing regulations

• Adheres to federal deadlines for the completion of paperwork.

• Teaching practices that are planned and executed reflect developmentally appropriate curriculum for children

• Classroom environment is in compliance with Youngstar, licensing and accreditation standards: cleaned; well-organized; maintained and refreshed with appropriate learning centers, displays and bulletin boards

• Educational materials and toys are cleaned, sanitized, in good repair, stored and organized to optimize child safety and use

• Maintains and refreshes well designed, child-focused bulletin boards that reflect children's work and interests

• Develops and implements lesson plans in accordance with the Creative Curriculum, SJA philosophy and policies

• Enforces policies and procedures that ensure our compliance with the WI Department of Children and Families licensing requirements, Head Start Program Performance Standards and accreditation standards

• Maintains supervision of children assigned to him/her at all times--alert to signs of illness or stress; informs Program Supervisor regarding children who may be showing signs of physical, emotional, or developmental problems

• Ensures that all teachers will engage positively with children and use appropriate discipline methods as outlined in SJA and Next Door's Child Management policies and procedures

• Completes two home visits per year and two parent conferences.

• Ensures each family's right to information about their child's progress while maintaining privacy and confidentiality, at all times

• Communicates verbally and in writing all pertinent information to assist in family satisfaction

• Establishes appropriate relationships with children, parents/guardians, staff, and the public which ensures a safe environment that protects children/families'/staff rights

• Fosters an environment that allows children, their families and staff to develop to their fullest potential

• Cultivates positive relationships with children, parents and families

• Assists children and parents in orienting to- and making a smooth transition from home to Center and from classroom to classroom

• Maintains day-to-day communication with parents, including interpretation and follow through of the SJA philosophy and policies

• Participates in family-centered events within the Center and the community

• Ensures children have the opportunity to learn, progress and achieve developmentally appropriate outcomes

• Develops lesson plans that are hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and incorporate activities which reflect the interests and life experiences of the children assigned-consistent with Creative Curriculum objectives

• Informs parents of their child's developmental progress at least quarterly

• Completes developmental assessment of individual children within the class and meet with families to discuss the assessment twice yearly

• Establishes and maintains individual child and classroom portfolios-transferring portfolios as the child matriculates through the Center

• Assesses the assigned children and uses information to plan and execute lessons

• Maintains assessment records including written anecdotal notes on the attainment and progress towards each developmental goal

• Maintains child and classroom records including weekly menus, meal counts, child attendance, and enrollment records