Early Head Start Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher The Lead Teacher has a powerful impact on the children's early learning experience. High-quality early education lays the foundation for future academic success, social development, and emotional well‑being.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher's primary responsibility is to provide high-quality early learning experiences for children in the classroom setting, thus preparing them for school readiness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

School Readiness: Integrate the High Scope curricula into daily practice, using effective strategies to guide children’s learning. Prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences. Develop lesson plans that integrate and promote familial and cultural influences, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children. Complete ongoing assessments for each child, review assessment data, and adjust teaching practices to support each child’s unique learning style. Lead the teaching team in collaborative lesson planning, involving all staff members in the planning process, assigning duties and tasks based on staff strengths and children’s needs. Establish weekly goals for individual children based on specific strengths, needs, and interests. Participate in IEP/IFSP meetings as needed; collaborate with the Teacher to ensure appropriate curriculum and lesson plan modifications are in place to meet children’s IFSP/IEP goals. Family Engagement and Community Partnerships: Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement. Support the role of families as the first and primary teachers of their children. Collaborate with Family Coach to support families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals and aspirations. Maintain regular communication with families regarding child’s development. Conduct required parent conferences and home visits to share screening and assessment information and develop shared goals and strategies with the family to support child’s growth and development in both the home and class setting. Help plan and participate in family activity events. Coordinate with the Family Coach as needed to assist families in completing health follow‑ups. Monitor and document attendance concerns and follow up with appropriate staff. Provide learning opportunities for dual‑language learning in the home and classroom setting as appropriate. Health and Safety: Monitor staff in the classroom to ensure everyone follows policies and procedures regarding child health and safety. Maintain a clean and sanitary learning environment, ensuring all indoor and outdoor equipment and toys are sanitized as required per state licensing standards. Check indoor and outdoor equipment and toys regularly to ensure all items are in good condition and report items that are in need of repair. Collaborate with staff to ensure a daily routine zoning chart is developed and implemented, and that all staff involved understand their role and responsibility for proper supervision throughout the day. Monitor for child safety, document and report any injuries and incidents, following agency policies and procedures. Understand and follow all health and safety policies and procedures for reducing illnesses in the classroom. Follow policies and procedures to ensure children are released only to individuals with appropriate signed consent. Monitor and report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect. Documentation: Utilize agency tools for ongoing assessment and documentation. Ensure all federal, local, state, and/or agency documentation is completed accurately. Document all family contacts, attendance, meals, lesson plans, and home visits in the agency database. Document and keep record of weekly lesson plans. Keep updated records and files of each enrolled child. Professional Development: Attend and participate in training and professional development activities. Attend and participate in meetings. Engage in team and/or individualized coaching meetings, self‑reflecting on teaching practices and solution‑based problem solving strategies.

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

Associate’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field with a minimum of 9 ECE credits required. Work and/or field experience in early childhood. Willingly submit to Criminal Background Screenings. Must have a valid/active driver’s license Must have reliable transportation Travel to/from clients’ homes. Travel to/from meetings/trainings throughout Jefferson and/or Franklin County.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field with a minimum of 18 ECE credits preferred. Experience working with low‑income families, childcare, health or education preferred. Able to problem‑solve, handle crisis, and work with families and children of various cultures and low‑income backgrounds. Able to establish positive working relationships with families, agency staff, and community members. Able to maintain a calm and nurturing demeanor when working with children. Physically able to stand for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running, and lift an estimated 50 pounds. Able to navigate email, internet, Microsoft Word, and other computer database programs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

On‑Site position - This is not a work from home position. Starting Pay $20.70 per hour (based on education & experience), bi‑weekly pay. Full‑Time, 36‑hour workweek, Benefits‑eligible. Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time. Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Agency contribution. Agency‑Paid Life Insurance. Supplemental Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance. Salary Deferral Program (403(b)) with Employer Match. Simplified Employee Pension Plan - Vested at 3 years. #J-18808-Ljbffr Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation