Summary/Objective

Plans, organizes, and implements educational services for children in the Head Start classroom that will prepare children for later school success

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Implements and follows the program curriculum providing ample opportunities for natural play and hands-on experiences that reflect the learning styles of individual children in the group.

• Maintains regular contact with parents and completes appropriate documentation (ie; daily reporting on sleep, eating and toileting)

• Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required

• Applies knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices

• Guides and facilitates daily activities, including but not limited to; regular instruction, diapering/toileting, napping, mealtime, etc.

• Maintains a comprehensive system for assessing and tracking child progress

• Cooperates with parents to build and support home school connections by providing parents with information about curriculum and school readiness

• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners by being proactive and supportive of program needs

• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment through continued awareness and maintaining commitment to keeping all children safe

• Assist in implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s)

• Complies with the Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

• Supervises all classroom assistants and volunteers

• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of classroom assistants

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws

• Responsible for training employees

• Plans, assigns, and directs work

• Addresses classroom concerns and resolves problems

• Ensure that a minimum of 15 clock hours of allowable professional development is completed annually.

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking

• Collaboration

• Coaching

• Tact

• Diversity/Inclusion

• Ethics/Integrity

• Attention to detail

• Organizational Understanding

• Professionalism

• Planning/Time management

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises and provides direction to Head Start classroom instructional assistants, and volunteers.

Work Environment

This position operates in a classroom environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a regular part time position. Days and hours of work are planned in advance and schedule is provided at the beginning of each program year. In order to meet the needs of the agency, permanent or temporary changes and/or modifications to the schedule may occur as dictated by management.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although out-of-area travel may be expected upon notice.

Required Education and Experience

A minimum of an Associate Degree (A.A.) in early childhood education; or an Associate Degree in a related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.

Preferred Education and Experience

A Bachelor Degree in early childhood education or in a related field with experience is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

TSG Certification

Additional Requirements

Valid Kentucky driver’s license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory background checks. Pass a pre-employment drug test and random drug testing as required. State required minimum vehicle liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. Any/all other testing or applicable checks required by local, state, or federal law.

AP/EEO Statement

Gateway Community Action provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competitive Benefits – paid leave, health, dental, vision, life & CERS Retirement.