Early Head Start Lead Teacher

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position is responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally and culturally appropriate learning environment for infants, toddlers, and their families. This position is responsible for implementing the early childhood education curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos). This position is responsible for developing child, family, and health plans with parents and completing ongoing follow-up and tracking to reach those goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.

Professional Development:

1. Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings.

1. Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices,, including IDEA & Part C/Early On.
2. Works as a team member with all education staff, parents, and Parent Committee members to implement a meaningful curriculum that meets the individual goals of each child and program needs.
3. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and HIPAA.
4. Keep up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
5. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate social-emotional development of infants and toddlers.
6. Train and support education staff.
7. Partner with parents in identifying opportunities to learn about the growth and development of their children.
8. Promote positive attachment between caregivers, children, and families.
9. Model appropriate communication skills, guidance techniques, and developmentally appropriate practices.
10. Continue professional growth by participating in training, ECE classes, etc.

12. Knowledge of The Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (ELAP) and other screening, assessment, and evaluation instruments.

Program Implementation:

1. Supervises all classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor activities.
2. Plans and implements the developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos) and experiences in a manner appropriate to the ages, languages, and cultures of children served.
3. Documents and provides Part C/Early On Service Coordination for children with special needs. Communicates Service Coordination efforts with the Education Coordinator.
4. Implements education lesson plans and individualization for infants and toddlers in accordance with his/her needs, based on a method of observing and recording their interests and developmental progress. The lesson plans provide learning experiences that support the parents' involvement as their child's first teacher, along with supporting the children's readiness for school using developmentally appropriate materials and activities.
5. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline, including the ability to support and guide students with challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate practices.
6. Maintains a commitment to professionalism and continues own professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices.
7. Participates in family-style mealtimes with the children as a curriculum activity to model good nutrition and proper social skills.
8. Ensures a purposeful program responsive to the children's needs.
9. In cooperation with parent(s), observes screens, assesses, evaluates, monitors, and documents infants and toddlers' development, health, dental, and social-emotional health using ELAP and other child screenings, assessments, and evaluations adhering to the timelines outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On.
10. Refers families to local service agencies when additional services/support is needed.
11. Documents and reports suspected instances of child abuse as required by law.
12. Knowledge of and participation in the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes.
13. Ensures that learning environments are safe from hazards, free from clutter, and allow for

visibility of children by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist.

14. Staff may be asked to cover other classrooms to meet licensing ratios.


Record Keeping:

1. Accurately submits paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor as required.
2. Maintains a complete record-keeping system on each child's developmental progress, behavior, and health, as well as parental concerns, referrals, and contacts made for special needs.
3. Gathers and maintains individual, family, and classroom data for documentation, ongoing assessment, evaluation, and record-keeping for successful individual and program planning.
4. Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
5. Responsible for ChildPlus data entering as required.

Parent Involvement and Community Relations:

1. Establishes positive and productive relationships with families, focusing on a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents of the children.
2. Participates in the orientation of parents to Early Head Start throughout the year.
3. Facilitates, provides childcare, and supports monthly Parent Club meetings at the center.
4. Schedules and arranges meetings and documents parent-teacher conferences and home visits as required.
5. Involves parents in the educational activities of the program:

A. to emphasize their role as the primary caregiver of the child's education and development

B. to support parents in increasing their knowledge, understanding, and skills in basic child development.

1. Identifies and arranges for parents to participate as volunteers in the classroom and work as substitutes as well as other volunteer activities.
2. Positively promotes Early Head Start in the community.
3. Supervises classroom volunteers, including parents as assigned.
4. Works closely with community agencies, as appropriate, for shared activities, recruitment, and transition.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Direct supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs, and evaluates the duties. This position is the first step for conflict resolution.

Positions supervised: EHS Program Support Aide

Completes evaluations on Program Support Aide with EHS Lead Teacher.


KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work in diverse environments.
• Ability to use Active Supervision strategies to keep children safe by: Setting up the environment to be able to see children around the room at all times, Position yourself to see and hear all children in your care, Count and use Face to Name while transitioning in and out of the classroom, Listen for potential danger, Anticipate children's behavior to predict what the child will do next, and Engage and Redirect to assist the children and help solve problems.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development.
• Extensive computer knowledge of Google, Word, and Excel. Also, the ability to access e-mail, knowledge of ChildPlus and Teaching Strategies Gold, and/or willingness to learn programs as needed
• Ability to supervise classroom, staff, and volunteers.
• Knowledge of the state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect and child care licensing requirements.
• Knowledge of local resources and families' culture.
• Ability to be responsive to the needs of children and to work well with staff, children and parents/families.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement classroom activities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies, procedures, and other legal requirements i.e., FERPA, HIPAA.
• Ability to maintain accurate records that reflect the program requirements and progress of children.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge, skills and a positive attitude in the field of early childhood education.
• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources and the public.
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.
• Ability to read and follow Performance Standards, Program Policies, and Procedures, child care licensing regulations, and emails daily.
• Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving and sanitation procedures.
• Knowledge of current car seat safety regulations and laws for use when transporting children and families in approved agency vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Required to lift up to 45 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage in physical play in various learning environments.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at-risk neighborhoods, etc.
• Noise levels in the work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required, as well as attendance at conferences, meetings, and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state, and in some cases, overnight travel may be required.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, and community and social events such as field trips.
• Required to hold and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Use of a reliable personal vehicle for agency travel, including home visits, training, and meetings.

Personal qualifications require emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that does not interfere with responsibilities. Also, education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or an Associate Degree in a field related to early childhood education with a minimum of 18 credits in ECE. Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and previous supervision experience preferred. Employees must obtain an Infant/Toddler CDA within two years of employment. Must be willing and able to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis and drug screening results, a clear criminal records check, and an initial health exam are required after the job offer and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start employees, students, and parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.


SALARY

• Pay Range: $40,000 - $56,287/annually (Based on Credentials)

SISD - Saginaw County Head Start is a customer-driven, family-friendly program. As such, all staff must value and be committed to the highest levels of professionalism, cooperation, teamwork, and tolerance; this includes working well with families, children, co-workers, supervisors, and the greater community.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources

Saginaw Intermediate School District

3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603

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