Head Start Teacher

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children's mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

Position Overview


Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor, the Teacher is responsible for the academic, social and emotional growth and development, and supervision of children. In addition, the Teacher is responsible for the supervision/mentoring of the Associate Teacher. In partnership with the members of the classroom-based teaching team, the teacher is responsible for providing leadership in the:

• Development of weekly lesson plans, and the integration of classroom and individual child goals and objectives into on-going classroom activities.
• Monitoring of individual children, collecting observations, and completing daily educational and attendance records.
• Provision of a quality educational experience that is responsive to the interests, needs and developmental age of the children enrolled in the assigned classroom.

Duties

Guiding Philosophy

• Carries out Mission, Vision, and Values established by the President/C.E.O. and Board of Directors of Para Los Ninos.
• Carries out Head Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act, and the requirements of the LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education) contract, the Department of Education, and the Department of Social Services.
• Always adheres to professional conduct (i.e., proper tone and language use in the classroom, respectful, proper for children, parents, and peers always).
• Attends and participates in 1) Professional Development activities, 2) Supervision, and 3) Individualized Professional Development goals/activities.

Planning and Creating the Learning Environment

• Ability to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, and to plan and implement learning experiences that:
• Ensure effective curriculum planning and implementation based upon individual children's development;
• Integrate child assessment data into individual and group planning;
• Promote children's progress/development across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate;
• Include developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development that are focused on achieving progress outlined in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five;
• Establish and maintain a healthy learning environment; and
• Encourage families' engagement with their children in all Head Start programs to support the development of relationships between children and their families.
• May perform other duties as assigned by Area Supervisor.

Compliance Community Care Licensing/Head Start Requirements

• Completes daily ratio counts for supervisor.
• Maintains ratio at all times.
• Ensures the safety and supervision of children at all times.
• Completes and reports any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children.
• Completes all daily health/safety checks.
• Completes all parent conferences and home visits.
• Completes DRDP's all children three times per year.
• Completes ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) and ASQ-SE within 45 days of enrollment.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully.


Education and Certification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree Preferred - individuals with an associate degree if a professional development plan is created and maintained in the employee's file that clearly describes a pathway and timeframes to degree attainment. The employee must complete, with a "C" or better, at least three semester (4.5 quarter) units per year in child development or a general education class required for the bachelor's degree.
• A current CA Teacher Permit (preferred). Must keep permit valid and updated at all times. We will accept a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in lieu of a Child Development Teacher Permit.
• Knowledge in Desired Results (DRDP) and Developmentally Appropriate Practice preferred.
• Knowledge in Creative Curriculum preferred.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.
• Must be a team player.
• Bilingual (E/S) preferred.
• Minimum of 6 months' experience. One year preferred.

Other Requirements

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).
• DOJ clearance and all other required background checks.
• Understanding of and ability to use technology such as data systems, pay roll systems, and other agency required programs.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Child Development employees must be able to perform the following physical activities:
• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that may occur in the child development center or on the playground.
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary.
• Reach a child 20 to 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person's health.
• Crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment.
• Be aware of the cognitive, social and physical needs of children.
• Verbal communication and writing in English to the degree that child, parents and other staff members are able to understand and respond.
• Handle the responsibilities and routine stress often associated with providing early childhood services.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.