Work Days: Monday - Friday
Supervisor: Family & Child Development Managers
Job Summary:
The Head Start Lead Teachers is responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate educational atmosphere where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological growth. The Head Start Lead Teacher will plan activities, develop appropriate lesson plans for the children, assess student progress and will work with the families to ensure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and Ohio Licensing regulations in all divisions of the program. This person is responsible for organizing and implementing an instructional program that will result in students achieving academic success in accordance with Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and Ohio Early Learning Content Standards.
The Head Start Lead Teacher will be in a probationary period for the first 180 days of receiving the position. Job performance will be measured within 180 days of receiving the position and annually thereafter.
Specific Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
1. General Expectations:
- Works cooperatively with the Assistant Teacher and the Family Advocate to ensure the smooth operation of the classroom.
- Develops a working knowledge of CAA policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, and State Licensing Requirements.
- Attends all required trainings and meetings.
- Assumes bus, kitchen, and janitorial duties as needed.
- Develops a working knowledge of community resources.
- Maintains regular attendance in accordance with CAA Personnel Policies and follows agency call-off procedures when absent.
2. Classroom Expectations:
- Post a completed lesson plan before the first child enters the classroom at the beginning of the week.
- Lesson plans must be reflected upon and turned in on a weekly basis.
- To become familiar with the Project Approach and implement this approach in all areas of planning and the classroom.
- Creates a positive classroom environment.
- Complete two samples per year for each child.
Fall/Spring
- Writing Sample
- Self Portrait
- Cutting Sample
- Maintain education files by following and updating the Portfolio Tracker.
- Read, Review, and implement strategies to meet IEP goals.
- Materials ready for the day, before the children arrive.
- Implements the Creative Curriculum into all aspects of the child’s education including health, nutrition, and mental health activities.
- Classroom management strategies will be implemented throughout the school year to maintain a safe and positive environment for children and adults. This includes the use of transition activities.
3. 45 Day Requirements:
- A BRIGANCE screening must be completed on each child enrolled in the program within the first 45 days. The date and score must be submitted to the Instructional Support Mentor or the Education Manager.
- A DECA must be completed on each child enrolled in the program within the first 45 days
4. Assessments:
- New children enrolled into the program must be added to the Teaching Strategies Gold system within the first week of attendance.
- The Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment Checkpoints must be completed four times per year for each child enrolled in the program. The due dates for TSG are located in the staff calendar.
- The progress reports generated contain data from the TSG checkpoints that will be used to discuss the progress of each child at their In-Home and School Family Conferences.
- Use the provided assessment tools to track the progress of the children and use the data collected to support planning and instruction. The areas that need to be assessed each month will be provided.
5. Home Visits and Conferences:
- An initial In-Home Conference must be completed on all children entering the program. If a child enters the program later in the year, an initial In-Home Conference must be conducted at that time. Use the Initial In-Home Conference form to document this visit.
- A second In-Home Visit will need to be completed on all of the children enrolled in the program. The date for the second In-Home Conference is located in the staff calendar. Document the In-Home Conference on the In-Home Conference form and discuss the progress report with the family.
- A third In-Home Conference must be completed on all children enrolled in the program. The date for the third In-Home Conference is located in the staff calendar. Document the In-Home Conference on the In-Home Conference form and discuss the final progress report with the family.
- Two School Family Conferences will be completed for each child per year. The dates for the School Family Conferences are located on the staff calendar. For the School Family Conferences, a Family Conference Form will be completed on Teaching Strategies Gold to review with the Family. Progress reports will also be reviewed at this time.
6. In-Kind:
- In-kind will be generated by all members of the classroom team. The team will work together to reach a monthly In-kind goal.
7. Field Trips:
- Plans developmentally appropriate field trips in conjunction with parents and management staff.
- Field trip permission slips are sent home in a timely manner.
- All required paperwork will be used to document the attendance of the children and adults participating in the field trip.
8. Meals:
- Meal counts taken at Point of Service.
- A current menu is posted with changes documented on menu as needed.
9. Professionalism:
- Represents the agency in a positive manner at all times.
- Adheres to all agency’s/program’s policies and procedures including the classroom Management Policy and Confidentiality Policy.
- A positive attitude about their work and others will be maintained during the work day.
- The agency dress code will be followed daily.
- Assumes responsibility for meeting his/her individual professional development goals and maintains ODE licensure.
- Demonstrates gains in performance evaluations conducted by supervisor.
10. Health and Safety Requirements:
- Promotes effective dental hygiene among children.
- Maintains a safe, healthy, and well-organized classroom learning environment.
- Follows ongoing care procedures to aid in identifying medical, dental, or developmental concerns.
- Adheres to and follows all state child care licensing requirements including reporting child abuse, following child health and safety procedures, and obtaining, maintaining, posting, and submitting written records.
11. Supporting Families:
- Actively promotes parent involvement in the child’s education process and the program.
- Assists with the recruitment process.
- Involves and supports parents to be active participants in their child’s health care.
Education/Skills Qualifications:
1. BA/BS Degree in Early Childhood with a Pre-k Licensure or BA/BS in related field with a Pre-k Licensure.
2. Current Ohio Department of Education Licensure.
3. 1-2 years preschool teaching experience.
4. Good written and oral communication skills.
5. Valid driver’s license/reliable transportation/automobile insurance coverage.
6. Good Computer skills.
Physical Requirements:
1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
2. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
3. Drive from site to site and maintain reliable transportation and insurance.
Working Conditions:
1. Various noises and behaviors associated with the care of 3-5year old children.
2. Travel from site to site as requested.
Additional Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
1. Local Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Federal Background checks.
2. Physical exam(update every three years) including drug testing
3. Training in First Aid, CPR, Child Abuse, Communicable Diseases, and Fire Safety.
4. Continuing Education credits or units.