Teacher/Family Advocate PreK

This recruitment is for openings in Sweet Home, Lebanon and Albany.

What we offer:

The opportunity to work in a mission-driven organization serving children and families

A competitive wage in addition to a generous benefits package, to include:

Medical/dental/vision and life insurance,

403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and match,

Employee Assistance Program

PTO and phased in paid Winter and Spring break, and paid Holidays.

Depending upon classroom assignment, program year is either:

Part day/part year classroom. Work hours are 40 hours per week with summer layoff period. Benefits carry year round, or..

Extended day classrooms- 40 hours per week; 1 additonal paid vacation in July; minimum two week layoff over summer months.

Kidco is a qualifying employer for Student Loan Forgiveness programs

Generous tuition assistance program

Opportunity for professional growth and advancement

This position is salaried, exempt. Wage is based upon ORO step placement:

Step 8 or below: $22.52//hour with plan to achieve step 9 within program year

Step 9: $4747.48 per month

Step 10 or above: $5427.84 per month.

Position Purpose: Apply professional expertise in child development; work in cooperation with other program components to promote social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children. Provide leadership in the classroom. Provide services to families in areas related to health, family partnerships, referrals, crisis intervention and parent involvement.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Classroom

• Provide a safe, consistent, positive classroom environment by demonstrating appropriate, effective group management skills
• Utilize developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate group and individual activities
• Individualize child and group activities to reflect the unique needs and strengths of all children in the classroom.
• Integrate all Head Start components into classroom curriculum (individual school readiness goals, nutrition, health, safety, mental health).
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Work with local ESD staff to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom and meets specified Individual Family Service Plan needs.
• Write anecdotals and observations of children.
• Provide leadership, training and support to teaching partners and volunteers in the classroom.

Recordkeeping and Curriculum Development

• Assess individual and group needs, attending to special needs, specific interests, strengths and concerns; establish daily and weekly goals which reflect individual and group needs.
• Develop balanced lesson plans, which are developmentally appropriate, intellectually challenging, and reflect: parental and cultural influences, education work plan, Head Start Performance Standards, and the Creative Curriculum.
• Prepare classroom materials to support lesson plans, change and create learning centers as needed.
• Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in the IFSP and/or individual behavior plan.
• Maintain up to date child files to include observations, screenings, assessments, individual child plans, family contact forms and consultant recommendations. Utilize written and computerized recordkeeping systems.
• Complete and submit all required reports in a timely manner. Track required developmental and social/emotional screenings to ensure completion within 45 days of child’s first day of attendance.

Leadership and Training

• Provide guidance to teaching team. Supervise and monitor volunteers, practicum students and parents that visit your classroom.
• Provide training and support for your classroom team by providing ongoing, constructive feedback.
• Work collaboratively within a team setting with your classroom team; provide clear expectations; observe their performance in working with children in the classroom and outdoor settings, and provide feedback.

Home/School Partnership

Complete required number of home visits with parents to promote an understanding of their child’s progress, plan for school readiness, provide support and encourage learning and leadership.

Observe child and regularly document progress in the web based data system and share with parents as directed by ECE’s developed timeline.

Family

• Assist families in the development of family partnership goals; provide timely and relevant referrals; monitor progress on the goals and other necessary follow up. Document and maintain family information in children’s database.
• Work collaboratively with Family Services staff and provide services for families not on FA caseload that you are the assigned as teacher.
• Facilitate and help conduct monthly parent committee activities for all families in your classroom.
• Maintain family contact recordkeeping system for assigned families
• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child.
• Maintain monthly contacts to promote partnership and provide for regular communication.
• Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements; work with Health Advocate to support families in completing health screenings.
• Arrange for transportation for child/parent to appointments and meetings.
• Possess and demonstrate strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and other regulations.
• Assists with recruitment and enrollment of children into Head Start/ Early Head Start, coordinates and participates in all related functions. (AV/PO)
• Home Visits include goal setting and family assessment.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Family Services Team to plan for and deliver quality services.
• Meet with consultants for goal-setting, planning and reviewing children’s progress.
• Attend IFSP meetings and school district transition meetings as needed.
• Working with Supervisor and following established Kidco procedures, identify, track and refer children to appropriate consultants, specialist or agency when needed.

Additional Job Responsibilities

• Attend and participate in program meetings as requested by supervisor.
• Complete all areas of responsibility in compliance with program code of conduct and confidentiality policies; be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values and policies in the performance of daily duties
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.