Head Start Teacher (4 Positions)

Position TitleHead Start TeacherPayroll/Personnel Type9 MonthsJob #: 374Reports ToDirector of Early ChildhoodShift Length8 Hour DayUnion EligibilityNot EligibleStarting Salary$QualificationsBA-ECE, orBA / BS in related field Preschool teaching experience preferred.Job GoalsTo plan and provide activities and a classroom environment based upon the approved curriculum, performance standards, and program goals and objectives. To assess the development of students and provide whole group, as well as, individual instruction to reach desired outcomes. To supervise and evaluate teacher assistant and maintain a professional working relationship with Administration, Family Support staff, co-workers, and parents.Performance ResponsibilitiesProvide a welcoming environment for the children. Establish and follow a daily schedule to include all elements of the Daily Routine as specified by the curriculum.Interactions with students should always be warm, calm, and respectful. (Greet them warmly upon arrival. Dismiss them in a calm/smooth manner. Assist children calmly and quietly during hallway passing, restroom use, transitions, etc.) Adult conversations should be kept to a minimum.Provide a safe environment to prevent and reduce injuries.Conduct Daily Wellness Checks by observing children upon arrival and throughout the school day.Use space, materials, and routines as resources for constructing an interesting and enjoyable environment that encourages creativity, exploration, and self-sufficiency.Competently use all available resources to ensure effective classroom instruction. (routines, activities, materials, time, etc)Store and arrange classroom materials and books so that they remain in good repair. Maintain a neat and orderly classroom environment.Establish a daily schedule of housekeeping to maintain a clean learning environment.Plan and provide lessons and activities to address the Written Curriculum, assessment goals, the eleven domains of the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework in order to master Program Goals, and Performance Standards.Provide individualized instruction to students for the purpose of concept and skill development and mastery.Demonstrate effective student and classroom management techniques while ensuring interactions with children are appropriate. (limited FSS involvement)Encourage children to build concepts and skills through exploration, experimentation, and questioning.Prepare all materials for lessons / activities in advance. Plan ahead to prevent last minute changes in lesson plans, children waiting, and ‘less than best' instruction.Promote children's language development by modeling appropriate language, using open-ended questions, and expanding language concepts through scaffolding, feedback loops, parallel talk, and using advanced language. (CLASS)Implement effective instructional strategies; demonstrate knowledge of effective lesson planning; and utilize transition activities that are appropriate for preschool.Keep abreast of district-wide curriculum and initiatives. Maintain professional relationships with school district and community early childhood programs.Ensure supervision of students is at all times, consistent with required ratios. (Classrooms, hallways, restrooms, playground, etc.)Promote good health, dental health, mental health, and nutrition through regular instruction and activities. Help children to learn to get along with others and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults by consistently implementing MTSS expectations. Follow universal precautions to avoid blood born pathogen exposure.Participate in family-style meals, which includes sharing the same menu as the children, allowing children to help with setting up lunch and cleaning up afterwards, and allowing children to serve themselves, pour their own milk, and pass the serving bowls. During meals, provide appropriate discussion about colors, textures, numbers, sizes, shapes, etc., and model good eating habits and table manners.Complete, submit, and file all paperwork / electronic data reporting accurately and on schedule (Education Home Visits, Brigance Screening, Parent/Teacher Conferences, End of the Month paperwork, Classroom Safety Checklists, Breakfast/Lunch/Snack Rosters, Cumulative Files, Skyward data entry, etc.)Demonstrate strong computer / technology knowledge to ensure regular student use, as well as, necessary teacher use for e-mail, Internet, Intranet, attendance, documentation, parent letters, etc.Prepare and send home a weekly Friday note that is attractive and professional to keep parents informed about the classroom activities and upcoming events, and send home a variety of Parent-child activities that reflect the current academic themes and/or skills being taught with the Friday note.Regularly and accurately update assessment tools.Demonstrate dependability in attendance and punctuality.Make timely referrals.Report all suspected cases of child abuse and /or neglect to the hotline, as well as to your supervisor. Follow directions for all disaster drills.Attend all scheduled pre and in-service activities, workshops, conferences or formal education, as required.Document thoroughly in all areas.Maintain an open, friendly, and informative relationship with children's families and encourage their participation in the program. Treat all families with dignity and respect.Seek out and take advantage of opportunities for professional growth and increased competencies, as well as, for the benefit of children and families. Respond to constructive criticism in a positive manner.Maintain positive and productive relationships with all co-workers and supervisor(s).Supervise classroom teacher assistant, any substitutes, and/or volunteers. Regularly monitor gross motor times to ensure full participation by teacher assistant. Document and address teacher assistant performance issues accurately and regularly. (Immediately, when needed)Evaluate teacher assistant performance accurately, including specific examples of strengths or issues needing improvement.Demonstrate understanding of and follow all program policies and procedures.Cooperate with all program and school district employees.Plan activities/events for keeping parents interested and involved in their children's progress and education.Plan/attend Parent Committee meetings as scheduled. Bourbonnais, Manteno, and Herscher Education Staff must be present at all meetings. Exhibit professionalism at every opportunity. Support management.Maintain a current teaching certificate, as applicable.Perform additional tasks as directed by the Administration.Implement the Performance Standards that relate to classroom operations. EOE/AA/D/VDisclaimerThe information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.