Head Start Teacher

Description

Come work for the Bucks IU! A great opportunity to be part of a collaborative work environment with excellent employee benefit plan options, PSERS pension plan and a flexible, school calendar work schedule.

This Head Start position has a salary range starting at $33,718 and can increase based upon additional education as it relates to the job description.

Job Summary: The Teacher plans, implements, and supervises all classroom activities. The Teacher makes social service referrals and shares responsibility for parent involvement in the program. The Teacher works in tandem with other Head Start team members to support the goals of the program. The position caseload, and/or center location may be reassigned as deemed necessary for program operations. This position is not eligible for remote work, telecommuting, or off-site work arrangements.

Classified Core Essential Functions: Primary duties and responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully fulfill the requirements of a position

• Regular attendance and reliable on-site presence.

• Complete required professional development; maintain current knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, childcare licensing regulations, and early childhood best practices; and apply this knowledge to classroom instruction.

• Collaborate with staff, families, and Center Committees to develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, daily lesson plans, individualized learning goals, and classroom objectives that meet the individual needs of children and program requirements.

• Schedule, conduct, and document required home visits and parent-teacher conferences while maintaining a safe, healthy, inclusive learning environment that supports daily indoor and outdoor learning.

• Plan and deliver culturally, linguistically, and developmentally appropriate instruction that promotes school readiness, literacy, language, math, science, problem-solving, social-emotional development, and positive behavior through consistent routines and individualized learning experiences.

• Observe, screen, assess, and document children's developmental progress; communicate relevant information with families and interdisciplinary staff; and refer concerns to appropriate supervisors.

• Supervise children during classroom, meal, outdoor, and field trip activities while modeling healthy nutrition, appropriate social skills, and positive interactions.

• Maintain accurate child, family, classroom, and program records; complete ongoing documentation and assessments; and assist with classroom supply ordering and inventory management.

• Foster positive partnerships with families by coordinating orientations, conferences, home visits, volunteer opportunities, parent training, Center Committee activities, and ongoing communication that encourages family engagement in children's education.

• Recruit, orient, train, and supervise classroom volunteers; contribute classroom updates for newsletters; promote Head Start within the community; and collaborate with local school districts to support successful student transitions.

• Ensure compliance with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and USDA requirements by accurately documenting, verifying, and submitting meal counts and related records.

• Assign, direct, coach, and evaluate classroom staff and volunteers by establishing performance expectations, providing ongoing feedback, monitoring classroom operations, and communicating performance concerns to supervisors.

• Attend required meetings, trainings, and parent activities; maintain compliance with Head Start, licensing, safety, and Human Resources requirements; support continuous program improvement; perform daily classroom cleaning and sanitation; and perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: This position requires regular on-site presence and includes a combination of sedentary and active physical duties. Employees are regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for fine motor tasks, and move throughout the work environment. Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, and positioning at student level for extended periods of time. Depending on assignment and student needs, employees may also be required to assist with transitions, mobility support, and instructional or daily living activities.

The employee must be able to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally. Certain assignments may require assisting students with mobility or physical support needs that exceed 25 pounds, with appropriate training and support provided in accordance with program expectations and safety procedures.

This position requires active supervision of students across various educational settings and the ability to respond appropriately and efficiently to students, classroom, or safety needs. Responsibilities may include implementing approved crisis intervention techniques, supporting students with diverse educational, behavioral, communication, and personal care needs, and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Employees may work in environments with elevated noise levels and varying behavioral or emotional support needs.

Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret sounds within the environment, including student communication, alarms, and other potential safety concerns.

Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 193-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; however, hours may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties in demand.

Travel: Regular travel is required for this position. Occasional travel to meetings, trainings, conferences, Bucks IU locations, or other work-related activities may be necessary based on organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Meet the designation of this position by showing evidence of one of the following:

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with coursework equivalent to an Early Childhood Education major and at least 500 clock hours of experience teaching preschool-age children in an early childhood setting; or

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in any field with coursework equivalent to an Early Childhood Education major and at least 500 clock hours of experience teaching preschool-age children in an early childhood setting; or

• Bachelor's degree in any field with admission to the Teach For America program, successful completion of a rigorous early childhood content exam (e.g., Praxis II), participation in a Teach For America summer institute that includes preschool teaching, and ongoing professional development and support through Teach For America; or

• Enrollment in an associate or bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education (or a related qualifying field) with the ability to obtain the degree within a reasonable timeframe after hire and an approved Office of Head Start waiver. Classrooms utilizing this waiver must have at least one staff member who holds a CDA or state-awarded credential meeting or exceeding CDA requirements until the degree is completed.

In addition, candidates must meet one of the following:

• Hold state licensure or certification recognized by the local school district or state education agency to teach preschool children, with at least 500 clock hours of experience teaching preschool-age children in an early childhood setting (typically requiring a bachelor's degree and appropriate licensure/certification); or

• Have qualifying Early Childhood Education coursework consisting of at least 15 semester credits for an associate degree or 30 semester credits for a bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood education, curriculum, assessment, psychology, family development, health, mathematics, science, children's literature, or other related disciplines with coursework specifically focused on young children.

It is up to each employee to provide to their immediate supervisor, and/or the staff person responsible for human resources, information on the college credit courses taken (e.g. transcripts) and to demonstrate that the courses not specifically in the areas of early childhood education or child development address early childhood education or child development with a focus on children ages three to five (may require a copy of the course syllabus).

If applicable federal, state, or local Head Start or childcare regulations, now or as amended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this position which are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements and qualifications will apply, even if not specifically set forth in this Job Description.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws.