Teacher - Head Start/Early Head Start

Year Round Employment with Learning Empowered: LE Head Start/Early Head Start staff are hired for year-round positions, and are assigned to summer program positions outside of the regular Head Start school calendar.

Job Summary: The Head Start/Early Head Start Lead Teacher is responsible to provide a high quality early learning environment for children in the assigned classroom. Responsible for all aspects of classroom management including student attainment of educational goals, development and maintenance of a high-quality learning environment, and provision of a safe, emotionally healthy social environment. During non-Head Start programming time, this position is transitioned into Learning Empowered's regular preschool programs to assist teachers in the development and teaching of standard-based curriculum or summer session programs.

Essential Functions:

1. Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre-school age children or infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards.

2. Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.

3. Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.

4. Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.

5. Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory.

6. Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.

7. Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of a variety of formal documents.

8. Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.

9. Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information.

10. Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.

11. Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.

12. Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards.

13. Conducts Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.

14. Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.

15. Performs quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS scores greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.

16. Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.

17. Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Success Rubric.

18. Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.

19. Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;

20. Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency.

21. Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.

22. Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom.

23. Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.

24. Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.

25. Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.

26. Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start/Early Head Start staff.

27. Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.

28. Performs other related duties as required.

Other Functions: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, staff assigned may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

• Pre-hire health physical examination and TB test (repeated every two years of employment)
• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Physical ability to extend arms overhead, grasp with hands, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, walk, sit on floor

Education & Experience:

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education; or an Associate’s Degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• Equivalent Coursework includes but is not limited to the following: No less than 18 semester credits in courses that focus specifically on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science and children’s literature. These courses may have been taken in various departments such as Education, Health and Nutrition/Physical Development, Home Economics, Music, Art, Library Sciences, Physical Education and Recreation, Psychology, Family Studies, and others, and must specifically address young children.
• Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Required Training & Certifications:

• Clean Local and Level II Fingerprint Background Checks (when conducted by agency upon hire) and maintained throughout employment
• Completion within 90 days of hire date:
• 45 hours of Florida Child Care Facility Training
• Completion of State Childcare Training required including Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers
• School Readiness Preservice Training
• In addition, all state mandated courses for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) required.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire

Skills Required:

• Ability to use computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Email client, Internet) in a Windows environment to communicate and maintain records.
• Ability to maintain professional and confidential boundaries with regard to agency programs, staff, volunteers and participants
• Ability to create an environment where children, parents, staff and volunteers are welcomed and affirmed
• Wholehearted commitment to mission, values and programs of Learning Empowered, Inc

Decision Making: Latitude to make decisions for the most effective operations of assigned classroom with approval of Supervisor.

Hours: Full-Time, year-round FLS Status: Hourly/non-exempt
All Learning Empowered employees are hired At-Will. No contract is implied or intended.
EOE

The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a first-in-the-nation enterprise system for background screening results of individuals required by law to undergo screening for employment in positions that provide services to vulnerable populations, as mandated by House Bill 531 (2025): https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Required)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Cert (CDA) or FLA equivalent (Preferred)
• FLA DCF ChildCare Training 45 clock hours (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $22