Description

WHO WE ARE:

Volunteers of America is an exceptional place to work. Our goal is that all of our students become self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners, The work of educating our children and supporting our families is the critical mission of Volunteers of America Southwest and we would not be able to achieve our mission without dedicated and talented teachers. 

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

• Career growth 
• Exceptional place to work with up-to-date facilities, resources and technology
• Team focused environment with long service staff
• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive employee benefits for full time employees effective 1st of the month after 30 days
• Retirement plan with company match

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Child Development Coordinator, the EHS Teacher I facilitates safe and healthy learning activities for young children, 0-3 years of age. Play based learning promotes social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. An EHS Teacher plans individual and group activities according to child's age and current developmental levels under the guidelines of Creative Curriculum. An EHS teacher also involves parents in educational activities of the program to enhance their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development. Assist parents to increase knowledge, understanding skills, and experience in child growth and development. Identify and reinforce experiences, which occur in the home that parents can utilize as educational activities for their children. Teachers fully comply with policies and procedures of Volunteers of America SW, and regulations of State Department of Education, Child Development Division Funding Terms and Conditions, Title 5 regulations and Title 22 Community Care Licensing regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Classroom Safety
A. Develops a plan to ensure the safety of the children within the group utilizing indoor and outdoor facilities completes daily health and safety checklist and reports needed repairs and/or timely maintenance to the Center Coordinator.
B. Inspects/ facilities for hazardous conditions and unsafe environment and materials and completes daily health and safety checklists. Removes all debris, and all hazardous and unsafe equipment and materials.
C. Supervises activities of children to ensure their safety.
D. Recognizes and reports accidents, illnesses, and suspected child abuse to appropriate personnel according to timelines.
E. Conducts monthly emergency drills.
F. Maintain a clear and orderly classroom, kept free of clutter.

Effective Teaching Practices
A. Plans and conducts class activities that encourage healthy habits appropriate to child.
B. Selects and uses materials and equipment that stimulates child development.
C. Includes materials, which reflect the children's culture(s) and uses them appropriately.
D. Plans and facilitates daily learning activities for children based on children's interests in alignment with the Creative Curriculum to support School Readiness in all learning domains.
E. Writes and maintains accurate records, child observations to complete accurate child assessments (DRDP) 2 times per year
F. Designs an individual development plan (IDP) for each child in collaboration with the parent, identifying learning goals and activities for home and school that will support development and achievement of goal (s). G. Provide diaper changes and meeting toileting needs of young children, as needed. Facilitate healthy habits with assistance such as tooth brushing and handwashing
H. Conducts staff-parent conferences each family with an enrolled child each program year; per requirements; parent conference will be conducted within 30 days of completed DRDP.
I. Attends all required in service training, and orientations, workshops, seminars, etc.
J. Follows approved agency procedures, as well as distributes and maintains them under proper security.
K. Submits all required reports and administrative forms accurately, completely and timely, including enrollment and attendance information.

Parent-Family- Community Engagement
L. Active participant in recruiting, assisting parents who walk in for enrollment information and/or participates in formal recruitment activities as assigned.
M. Encourages participation in parent groups at the center and provides opportunities for parents to use their skills and talents in the group.
N. In bilingual settings, communicates both verbally and in writing, with both the parents and the children in their language when possible.
O. Conducts parent education meetings, which will include orientation, discussion of IDP, child development, curriculum, and parenting skills.

Program Responsibilities
P. Attends trainings and meetings, as scheduled and/or assigned.
Q. Perform special projects and/or other related duties as assigned.
R. Abides by Agency Code of Conduct and policies, including applicable laws such as Mandated Reporting.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS:

EDUCATION:

Associate Teacher - 12 Core Unit in Early Childhood Education. Must have valid Child Development Associate Teacher Permit or above within 6 months of hire.

Teacher I - Associates (AA) degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field. 

Teacher II - Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field. 

Teacher III - Masters (MA) degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field. 

EXPERIENCE:

• At least two years' experience in a classroom or group setting with children.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment data
• Promote children's progress across the standards described in the California Preschool Curriculum Framework and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
• Advance children's intellectual and physical development, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, understanding and use of language and increasingly complex and varied vocabulary appreciation of books, understanding of early math and science, problem-solving skills, and approaches to learning.
• Establish and maintain a healthy learning environment.
• Support children's social and emotional development.
Encourage family involvement of the children in a State Preschool program and support the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Promote early childhood development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safety issues in preschoolers.
• Facilitate effective communication with children, parents, and other staff members.
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the position per attached in the Physical Demands Section, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Utilizes highly effective teaching practices that support children's development towards School Readiness.

LICENSES (PERMITS / CERTIFICATIONS:

• California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit or higher.
• AB 1207 Mandated Reporter CA certified
• Child CRP & First Aid certified
• Pesticide Training (Annually)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applications are only accepted online. This employer participates in e-Verify.

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