Lead Teacher

Seeking a dynamic and passionate Lead Teacher to lead our Perry Head Start program.  This is a 40hr/per week position and runs with the school district calendar.  Must have excellent communication skills with parents, children and staff, enthusiasm, patience, dedication and organization.  Must be comfortable supervising teacher assistants, love working with children and have the ability to instill curiosity & love of learning while fostering friendships and fun.  BA degree in early childhood or related field with a minimum of two years of experience working with or teaching children ages birth to 5, at least one year successful leadership experience.  Excellent benefit package including IPERS, vacation, personal leave, sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance. EOE

EXPECTATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

 Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership

 GENERAL SUMMARY:

A Head Start teacher utilizes curricula that is developmentally appropriate and meets the needs of children from diverse backgrounds. The classroom teacher is responsible for participating with a team on a daily basis in planning curricula and adding the necessary parental contribution. The individual also creates and maintains relationships with every child and family and assesses their needs. The teacher evaluates the progress of each child on an on-going basis and implements the necessary modifications. A Head Start teacher makes sure the required documentation is completed and complies with the standards set by the National Head Start program. Head Start teachers also often conduct parent/teacher conferences and sometimes in-home visits to meet performance standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Document and monitor children’s progress to evaluate the ability of curriculum to meet children’s developmental needs.
2. Conduct instruction by following lesson plan while adapting plans to meet individual learning styles. Promote successful classroom performance for each student.
3. Encourage each child to develop a positive self-concept and support that self-concept by creating a developmentally appropriate environment where children are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment and problem solve.
4. Participate in lunch time activities by assisting with preparing and serving food, eating with the children and cleaning up after meals.
5. Maintain an organized, clean classroom and present interesting ideas and activities to share with children.
6. Supervise Food Program at center level to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
7. Create and maintain accurate, confidential reports and records within applicable regulations and performance standards.
8. Supervise staff in the development and implementation of the curriculum and in maintaining a safe, orderly and quality learning environment.
9. Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality. Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers and visitors in order to respond to children’s environmental needs.
10. Maintain children’s files, check off forms at admission, prepare and ensure files are maintained for annual licensing.
11. Perform other duties or complete other projects as assigned.

 SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and ABILITIES:

1. Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
2. Ability to obtain and maintain a driver’s license, automobile, and current valid insurance in order to travel to designation locations.
3. Knowledge of Agency’s policies, practices and procedures.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and various other business and community contacts.
5. Ability to work with confidential information.
6. Ability to work in a team-based environment.
7. Ability to adapt to the organization’s changing needs.
8. Ability to pass a physical examination.

NOTE:  A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential functions.  All duties and responsibilities listed above are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform each duty or function proficiently.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Educational requirements of the position include a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education or a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.

Additional requirements include

• the ability to pass all child care licensing requirements
• computer experience

WORKING CONDITIONS:

 This factor measures the surrounding or physical conditions under which a job must be done and the extent to which those conditions make the job disagreeable.  Consider the presence and relative amount of exposure to dust, fuel, dirt, heat fumes, contaminants, cold, noise, vibration, wetness, etc.

Normal working conditions with the absence of disagreeable conditions

GENERAL INFORMATION:

 The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  Furthermore, this document does not establish a contract for employment and is subject to change at the discretion of the employer.