Lead Teacher Head Start (3 year-olds)-Associates Required

Position Overview The Lead Teacher provides daily care to children in a Head Start / Early Head Start (HS/EHS) classroom using appropriate child guidance techniques and building responsive relationships with classroom teachers, staff, children and families. The Lead Teacher ensures that all regulations and mandates for federal, state, and local licensing are met and works with a team of classroom teachers and family members to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence at all times. Essential Functions Promote, encourage and display examples of leadership for the agency in accordance with the agency mission. Support and individualize the physical, social‑emotional, and cognitive development of each child in the classroom. Demonstrate capacity for providing developmentally sensitive, evidence based, hope centered and trauma informed services and leadership. Serve as a leader of the Early Childhood Services (ECS) program and effective role model for developmentally‑appropriate practice, for the values expected within the program, and for the mission of the organization. Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards. Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal and state regulation, and DHS Child Care Licensing requirements. Plan and provide a comprehensive program, including implementation of EHS/HS curriculum and Head Start /Early Head Start Program Performance Standards. Maintain record keeping and reporting systems to ensure accurate information, with timely completion and follow‑up. Plan and implement ECS developmentally‑appropriate curriculum and assessment for the classroom. Order supplies and materials as needed for effective service delivery. Oversee supervision and management of children in the classroom in order to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment. Conduct home visits and parent‑teacher conferences in accordance with Head Start Program Performance standards to share each child’s progress with parents. Work cooperatively with other staff assigned to classroom as a team to involve all parents with the children and to encourage the active participation of all parents in the program. Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbances, learning disorders, speech problems, or other special needs and report those signs immediately to supervisor for required or necessary follow‑up. Work with supervisor to ensure child‑staff ratio is maintained at all times. Encourage and model language expansion, extended learning, and problem‑solving strategies throughout the day. Regular, reliable attendance is required. Participate in and attend all staff meetings, trainings, and certification courses as required. Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities. Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or member of Executive Team. Qualifications Education: Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or Early Childhood Special Education (EC SE) (transcripts required) OR associate degree in any discipline (transcripts required) AND at least 30 college credit hours in ECE, CD, or EC SE AND one year experience teaching children. Certification: CPR/First Aid Certification (or within 30 days of hire) maintained throughout employment. Experience: Three (3) years’ experience in Early Childhood Education or Head Start/Early Head Start. Effective experience in childcare as well as training and supervising teacher assistants. Skills, Knowledge, Abilities: Caring and compassionate attitude; knowledge of state and local childcare licensing requirements; excellent command of English language and grammar; intermediate knowledge of Microsoft applications; good organizational and time management skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment; exercise independent judgment; communicate professionally; protect confidential information; sustained concentration and accuracy; willingness to work with high‑risk, low‑income communities; ability to travel and work some evenings and weekends; local travel required with valid Oklahoma driver’s license and insurance. Additional knowledge: Head Start/Early Head Start, Child Plus, NAEYC, advanced computer database and Microsoft Office skills, bilingual Spanish/English speaking capability. Working Conditions Physical Demands: Frequent communication with staff; close interaction with small children; ability to feed and change children; lift up to 50 pounds; endurance to remain stationary up to 50% of the workday; ability to detect, discern, observe, inspect and compare. Work Environment: Classroom environment with moderate to loud noise; exposure to strong odors and possible contact with bodily fluids and diseases; close quarters with staff and small children. Other: The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sunbeam Family Services