URGENT Early Years Teacher

This position entails mainly tasks that are technical and diverse in nature and requires that capacity of judgment and action to accomplish program goals. The normal work hours are 40 hours per week, mostly Monday - Friday, but may be varied by the Site Leader to accommodate all hours the Center is open and other needs of the Center.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

Head Start is committed to establishing a learning environment to which children, parents and staff can teach and learn from one another. To accomplish this goal, staff must display sensitivity to, respect and knowledge of the community’s cultural differences and issues. All Head Start staff shall agree to abide by the program’s standards of conduct introduced during pre-service and/or in orientation. Employee orientation, pre-service and in-service training are provided in order to assist staff and volunteers in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skill needs to fulfill their job responsibilities. Teachers are responsible to the Site Leader in the implementation of their respective Center Based program in meeting all required regulations for providing a safe and healthy educational environment and an environment conducive to learning for both enrolled children and their families. Noise level could be moderate to loud in working in center. Teachers will perform a variety of essential functions that include--

• A) planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, their problem-solving abilities, and their approaches to learning;
• B) Establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment.
• C) Supporting the social and emotional development of children; and
• D) Encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities in all classroom functions
• Maintain a safe, healthy learning environment, both indoors and outdoors
• Responsible for planning and implementing a child development program for Head Start classroom that align with developmentally appropriate practices and meets Head Start Performance Standards
• Maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning
• Coordinate and interact positively with parent/volunteer assigned to classroom
• Encourage the involvement of families in the classroom and in all activities of the child
• Develop lesson plans and implement learning experiences
• Conduct assessments for children in program in accordance with established guidance
• Maintain records on enrolled children and families in accordance with established Performance Standards
• Ensure all program areas are integrated in classroom curriculum (education, nutrition, mental health, health, disabilities, and transportation)
• Promote parent involvement in the classroom
• Maintain an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child’s family, encourage their involvement in the program, and promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships
• Promote feelings of security and trust in children by being warm, supportive, and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships with them
• Effectively use all teaching resources
• Provide experiences to allow children to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving, creativity, sense of self and group belonging
• Conduct home visits and parent conferences
• Ensure Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) regulations are followed to maintain license.
• Must be knowledgeable in the various disciplines of the Head Start program, including but not limited to social services, parent involvement, health, and services to children with disabilities
• Conduct health checks for children each morning
• Keep parent idea forms up to date
• Plan and implement decorations and activities according to weekly themes
• Ensure child-staff ratios are maintained at all times
• Regularly monitor children on playground to safe, appropriate play are visible at all times
• Respond to crisis or emergency situations that may occur. Provide First Aid or CPR, prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens, and assess the need for emergency services
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with other team members and management
• Must be aware of the legal and professional responsibilities with regard to reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in accordance with the provisions of Federal, State, or local law and program policies/procedures.
• Responsible for cleaning and general maintenance of classroom and related center areas; duties include: mopping, sweeping, dusting, sanitizing equipment, cleaning restrooms or any other cleaning duties as assigned by the Site Manager
• Promote Parent Engagement Activities
• Responsible for reporting to their immediate supervisor or designee, if they witness or see anything present or anyone not following the SPCAA procedures or processes that place a person or program records at risk
• Capture, value, and appropriately document In-Kind, non-federal share

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OR JOB REQUIREMENTS

• May fill in for Site Leader as needed.
• Assist with and/or attend parent meetings, orientations, and special functions
• Assure that any accidents/illnesses for children or staff are reported immediately and followed-up with appropriate forms and accuracy of details.
• Show initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness in the classroom
• When assisting in transportation of children/parents:

• Maintain a calm atmosphere on the vehicle
• Assist the driver in transporting children and families in a safe and proper manner
• Ensure compliance with all laws regarding proper transporting policies
• Assist and be responsible for children and adults during boarding and un-boarding of the vehicle
• Ensure that all children and parents are properly secured in the vehicle according to the transportation laws
• Make sure no obstructions exist on the bus and that all exits are properly marked
• Assist the driver with pre-trip inspections
• Maintain discipline when children are being transported

• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity of cultural and community issues.
• Employment as a teacher is contingent upon individual retaining credentials to meet position qualifications as set by program requirements of funding source or state licensing.
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Must possess ability to provide reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel. Must possess and maintain valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.

QUALIFICATIONS: SPCAA will strive to meet/exceed staffing requirements by hiring qualified lead teachers so that at least 50 percent of Head Start teachers in center-based programs have—

• i) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or
• ii) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.

• Education requirements (any one of the following):
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or bachelor’s degree in related field with college courses in early childhood education or child development to equal a major, focused on children up to age 5.
• A Texas Teaching Certification (pre-K or all level) or
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or
• Associate degree in a related field with college courses in early childhood education or child development to equal a major.

Early Head Start Teachers:

• Early Head Start teachers must have, at a minimum, a CDA credential and have been trained (or have equivalent coursework) in early childhood development, with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Experience in teaching preschool children
• Ability to communicate effectively with other team members and management
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively with other team members and management.
• Embrace the principle of the parent as the primary educator and support attachment of parent and child
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to balance a variety of duties, prioritize and meet timelines required
• Available for light amount of night and weekend work.
• Ability/knowledge of personal computer operations within a Windows software environment required.
• Must be flexible and adapt to change in the workplace,
• Must submit to TB Tests as required
• Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the “Drug Free” policy of SPCAA.
• Must be able to pass regular criminal/background history checks.
• Must possess ability to provide reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel. Must possess and maintain valid Texas Motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirements of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.
• Adhere to program dress code.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Able to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting or standing for extended periods of time, drive or ride in sedan, bus or van, and interacting with children at the child’s eye level (which includes floor activities) or other duties assigned.
• The usual requirements in a classroom environment may require lifting boxes of supplies, equipment, and occasional adjustments of office furniture
• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time
• May require long periods of standing or walking
• Occasional bending or squatting required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Possess ability to adapt to and exercise good judgement with regard to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances
• Noise level could be moderate to loud in working in the center.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.
• Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Norma to heavy travel – ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area.
• Must be able to travel by air as necessary to attend training, conference, and related activities.