Head Start Teacher

Head Start Teacher
Anticipated Opening $23.52 - $25.59/hr.
PLEASE APPLY VIA OUR ONLINE APPLICATION AT:
Friends of Children and Families is a non-profit organization serving Ada and Elmore Counties specializing in services to pre-school children and their families. As a mission-based organization our employees positively impact children and families in our community by empowering them through early childhood education and family engagement. Benefits provided –

• Low cost medical and vision insurance
• Free dental, short term disability, employee assistant program, and life insurance
• Matching 4% for a 401K after one year of employment
• Paid sick, personal, and bereavement leave
• Generous paid time off
• As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, Friends of Children and Families is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) program.

Job Summary

Provides education and developmentally appropriate activities necessary to meet the objectives of the Friends of Children and Families (FOCAF)/Head Start Children’s Services component; integrates Health, Nutrition, Transportation, Disabilities, and Family Service/Parent Involvement components, as they relate directly to children and families.

Essential Functions

• Plans and implements the required curriculums, and requirements of state, local, federal agencies, and organization.
• Observes, documents, assesses, and provides regular data reports for parents, and other staff members regarding the child’s developmental level, attendance, IEP meetings and any other related and pertinent information to help the child in the school and home setting.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, trainings, reviews audio-visual materials, and publications to remain up to date with policies and practices.
• Creates a positive and safe environment for children by using positive communication and active supervision of children at all times.
• Provides an environment with clear and consistent behavior expectations through implementation of Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions.
• Works together with team to ensure organization, inventory, cleaning and prepping of classrooms and playground area and obtains needed supplies to support curriculum.

• Maintains frequent contact with families including home visits and conferences to promote partnership, ongoing communication, and support the family as the child’s first and most important teacher.
• Ability to mentor Assistant Teacher.
• Works together with Center team to plan and implement Family Fun Nights and PAWS once a month.

• Demonstrates clear understanding of Children’s Services policies, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, procedures, and guidance in Children’s Services, and implements these in program activities.
• Integrates health and nutrition into daily curriculum through consistent implementation of Color Me Healthy, FOCAF Dental, FOCAF Health, FOCAF Bus Curriculum, Second Step Early Learners, and Child Protection Unit.
• Provides health and nutrition education activities for children, including classroom food experience, tooth brushing, and hand washing.
• Plans and conducts Field Trips within the local community once a month.
• Effectively responds, communicates with, and presents information to co-workers, families/caregivers, community representatives, clients, vendors, and general public.
• Must have general social skills and ability to get along well with others.
• Keeps immediate supervisor, and others as designated fully and accurately informed concerning work progress.
• Prioritizes and adjusts to the changing demands of the position.
• Handles and adapts to stressful situations.
• Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and Child Outcome requirements.
• Meets daily and weekly with teaching team to collaborate.

Qualifications

• An associate, a bachelor, or an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; or
• An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree in any related field along with course work equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education and experience teaching preschool aged children. Coursework equivalent is defined as 18 semester college credits of early childhood education.
• Complete and maintain certificates for Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.
• Must pass a Health Physical Screen and TB test.
• Must pass a criminal background check that meets required state, federal, and FOCAF Head Start standards.
• Must pass drug test and submit to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance if there is a need to travel locally during the course of the job duties.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Former or current EHS or HS parent preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer /Affirmative Action Employer