What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mentor Teacher position at Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency?
Website: www.cincy-caa.org
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Mentor Teacher
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Business Unit:
Head Start
Pay Grade:
E
Department:
Head Start Early Childhood Center
Revision Date:
10-2024
Company Address (work location may be different):
Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency * 1740 Langdon Farm Road * Cincinnati, Ohio 45237
ABOUT US
At the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA), we envision an equitable community where everyone has the tools and resources to be self-sufficient. Our mission is clear: through advocacy, high-quality programs, and strong community partnerships, our dedicated team is breaking down barriers to equity and opportunity while building self-sufficiency across generations. Our values guide us in everything we do: we serve with passion, collaborate as a team, have compassion for others, use our talents to do transformational work, and strive to continuously improve.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Mentor Teacher at CHCCAA plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to expand opportunities and build self-sufficiency for our community members. This position performs duties as a classroom teacher, responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children enrolled in the Head Start program. In addition, the Mentor Teacher provides guidance, support, and professional development to Head Start teaching staff. This role involves mentoring teachers to enhance their instructional practices, ensuring high-quality early childhood education, and promoting continuous improvement within the program. The ideal candidate will use their skills to embody our values and contribute to our vision of a thriving, self-sufficient community.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Teaching Responsibilities:
- Create a welcoming, nurturing and inclusive classroom environment that promotes positive interactions and learning; ensure cleanliness and safety.
- Plan and implement daily activities and lesson plans that align with Head Start Performance Standards and help children develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically, including learning experiences for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
Mentoring Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with center-based leadership to provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to Head Start teachers to promote best-practice, research-based instructional practices and comprehensive learning environments.
- Conduct classroom observations, administer assessments, and provide constructive feedback to teachers.
- Develop and implement individualized professional development plans for teaching staff.
- Support teachers in the use of developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum; ensure that new research techniques are being introduced on an on-going basis.
- Facilitate professional development workshops and training sessions.
- Collaborate with teachers to analyze child assessment data and plan instructional strategies.
- Promote a positive and collaborative learning environment among staff.
- Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and agency policies.
- Stay current with best practices in early childhood education and share new knowledge with teaching staff.
- Participate in agency meetings and contribute to the overall strategic planning and development of the Head Start program.
- Serve as the “person in charge” in the absence of the Site Administrator.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Additionally, CAA management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Required Education, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field is preferred; must have a minimum of an Associate degree in ECE
- Experience in early childhood education, with a minimum of 3 years in a teaching or mentoring role
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate child development practices.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse families and communities.
- CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office applications
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Experience with the Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
- Knowledge of adult learning principles and effective coaching techniques.
Required Job Competencies
CAA Core Competencies:
- Passion for service to the community
- Compassion for others – empathy, respect, caring, kindness
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Commitment to continuous improvement
Position-Specific Competencies:
- Active learner - willing and able to continuously develop new knowledge and skills
- Analytical skills - able to compile, assess and act on data
- Communication – able to effectively exchange information with others through verbal, nonverbal, and written methods
- Customer service - willingness and ability to provide high-quality support, assistance and solutions wherever needed
- Feedback and Coaching - Helps team members find their strengths; provides constructive feedback and mentoring Interpersonal - can effectively interact, communicate and build positive relationships with others
- Listening – active and empathetic listener with the patience to hear people out and understand their needs or concerns, even when they are under stress
- Organization – able to multi-task, prioritize work and meet deadlines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Problem-solving - can effectively recognize, assess and resolve issues
- Sense of Urgency - meets deadlines, establishes appropriate priority, gets the job done in a timely manner
Other Requirements:
- A valid driver's license and valid automobile insurance must be maintained.
- The ability to access an internet provider to work remote and offsite in emergency situations.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Location – As assigned based on program needs
- Work Hours will vary between 7:00 am and 5:30 pm M-F
- Planned and unplanned travel to and from Head Start Center and other C-HCCAA or meeting/conference locations, including overnight and/or out of town travel may be required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, and control items or equipment
- Walk, bend, kneel, and reach
- Lift a 20-60 lb. child, using all safety precautions
- Stand, sit, and play with infants and toddlers for long periods of time
- Conduct both outdoor and indoor activities, in both warm and cold temperatures
- Talk, hear, and communicate with parents
- See and be able to read, write, and interpret written documents
The Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The Functions, Qualifications, Requirements and Physical Demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The listed Job Functions do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform.
Your employment with the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency is entered into voluntarily or “at-will,” meaning that both you and the employer may end the employment relationship with or without reason, cause or notice unless otherwise prohibited by law. You are free to terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, C-HCCAA has the right to terminate the employee’s employment, or otherwise alter an employee’s position, duties, title or compensation at any time, with or without cause or notice. Therefore, the only employment relationship that exists is one terminable at will by either the employee or C‑HCCAA.
Salary : $22