Head Start Lead Teacher

Primary Role: The Teacher provides leadership to teacher aides, foster grandparents, and volunteers, aiming to deliver an enriching child development experience based on educational principles. This role serves as a positive role model for staff, parents, children, and visitors, directly impacting teaching, learning, and child supervision in alignment with Performance Standards and State Licensing requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead classroom activities, fostering a stimulating environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and emotional growth among children.
• Utilize engaging methods to present learning situations that challenge and inspire children, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills.
• Plan and coordinate all educational activities within the classroom, ensuring alignment with curriculum goals and standards.
• Create and implement lesson plans tailored to advance the intellectual and physical development of children, ensuring readiness for school.
• Support the social and emotional development of each child through thoughtful interactions and a nurturing atmosphere.
• Facilitate strong partnerships with families, encouraging their active participation in the Head Start program and enhancing the parent-child relationship.
• Promote health and safety practices within the classroom, maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Address personal care needs sensitively and promptly, ensuring all children feel supported and respected.
• Collaborate with teacher aides and other staff to ensure cohesive support for children’s learning and development.
• Provide mentorship and training for new personnel, fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Maintain accurate records of children’s progress and developmental milestones, ensuring timely collection and submission of participant information into ChildPlus, TSG, AND Developmental folders.
• Communicate effectively with parents regarding their child's development, accidents, or health concerns.
• Stay informed about current practices and research in Early Childhood Education, attending meetings and training sessions as required.

Performance Measures:

• Child Development Outcomes:
• Achieve a minimum of 80% of children demonstrating progress in literacy and numeracy skills by the end of the program year, as measured through ongoing assessments.
• Family Engagement:
• Increase family participation in classroom activities by 20% annually, tracked through attendance and feedback surveys.
• Classroom Environment:
• Maintain a safe and welcoming classroom environment, with at least 90% of families reporting satisfaction in annual surveys regarding their child’s learning experience.
• Professional Growth:
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development training annually, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.

Required Skills and Expectations:

• In-depth understanding of child development principles, particularly for children from infancy to age three.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with staff, children, families, and community members.
• Ability to adapt to change and implement feedback effectively.
• Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple deadlines efficiently.
• Commitment to respecting privacy and confidentiality for all program participants.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• At least one year of professional experience working with preschool-aged children.