Head Start Early Childhood Teacher

Head Start Teacher

Job Title:  HS/EHS Teacher

Department:  Head Start

Education Level and Certification:  Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Education - Early Childhood (Birth through Grade 3) or Associate of Arts Degree with 18 semester hours in Early Childhood.  Minimum Child Development Associates credential with infant/toddler coursework. Need to be working towards obtaining a Nebraska Department of Education Certificated Teachers License.

Reports To:  Education Supervisor 

Terms of Employment:  Salary determined by Head Start budget based on education and experience

Performance Responsibilities and Job Tasks

Head Start Requirements:

1. Must be proficient in verbal communication and in maintaining written documentation.
2. Must possess the ability to have good environmental awareness (visual and auditory responsiveness) to keep children safe.
3. Training, meetings and community interactions may include evenings or weekends.
4. Occasional out-of-town travel for training is required.
5. A clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check) is required prior to employment.
6. Must complete a screening physical with a tuberculosis screening upon hire.
7. Within 90 days of employment (or sooner if required by local/state regulations), must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric/adult CPR certification.
8. Translate communication between program, child and family using family’s primary language when applicable.
9. Comply with the Head Start Performance Standards and ESU 13 Employee Performance and Code of Ethics.
10. Maintain standards of confidentiality regarding the program, children, families, staff, and community.
11. To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the ESU 13 insurance carrier and have a Motor Vehicle Record acceptable to ESU 13.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

1. Implement the education and family engagement objectives through daily operation of center in accordance with Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing as applicable.
2. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.
3. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
4. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students’ varying needs and interests.
5. Establish a classroom structure that maintains a safe, healthy, and nurturing educational environment, implementing program curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and research-based. 
6. Responsible for all classroom activities including lesson plans, individualizing for children, anecdotal observations, supervision of children, screening, assessment of children, and maintaining documentation of program requirements.
7. Follow Nebraska state standards and child care guidelines for education and positive guidance. 
8. Maintain standards of confidentiality regarding the program, children, families, staff, and community.
9. Maintain regular communication and information sharing with center staff and within ESU teams.
10. Participate in IEP (Individual Education Plan) or IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) meetings, and other team meetings as applicable. 
11. Interact in a skilled, respectful and sensitive manner to strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children by providing educational experiences that improve parenting skills, emotional well-being, healthy lifestyles and progress toward family goals to enhance their growth and development. 
12. Conduct parent-teacher conferences and home visits with each family at least twice per school year.
13. Recruit eligible children to ensure full enrollment.
14. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, OHS Performance Standards, ESU policies, and administrative regulations. 
15. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
16. Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students. 
17. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators in order to collaborate regarding students' behavioral and developmental concerns.
18. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress. 
19. Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. 
20. Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula. 
21. Perform administrative duties such as assisting on bus with monitoring, loading and unloading, parent meetings or Policy Council when necessary.
22. Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
23. Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

At-Will Position.   This position is an “at-will” position and may be terminated, with or without cause, at any time in the sole discretion of the ESU 13 Administrator or ESU 13 Administrator’s designee. 

Essential Functions:  The essential functions of the Teacher position include: (1) regular, dependable in-person attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified tasks and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities and to perform the identified work activities; and (3) the ability to perform the following identified physical requirements.

It is the policy of ESU 13 to not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies or other administered programs.  Persons requiring accommodations to apply and/or be considered for positions are asked to make their request to the ESU 13 Administrator.  

Salary : $20 - $25