Head Start Teacher

Position Overview

• Full time, 12 month position
  
  

The Head Start Teacher is responsible for working cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to assist in

planning and implementing daily developmentally appropriate practices, routines and activities of a

Head Start classroom/center in accordance with the policies, procedures, and philosophy of Macon

Program for Progress Board, Policy Council, NCDCDEE, and Administration for Children and

Families.

Essential Duties

• Establishes and maintains a secure trusting relationship with children
• Obtains a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Assists Lead Teacher in implementing a designated developmentally appropriate
  
  

researched-based early childhood curricula.

• Uses effective health and safety practices to ensure children are safe at all times.
• Assists in daily health check on each child.
• Assists in ensuring a safe, clean, and health learning environment. Uses the playground as
  
  

an extension of the classroom, assures that the playground is safe.

• Assists Lead Teacher in providing nurturing and responsive practices, interactions, and
  
  

environments that foster trust and emotional security, promotes positive mental health, and

supports social/emotional functioning.

• Assists Lead Teacher in planning and implementing the weekly lesson plan for the
  
  

classroom which include the domains of learning outlined in the Head Start Early Learning

Outcomes Framework.

• Recognizes and supports the development of bilingualism and bi-literacy.
• Assists Lead Teacher in implementing planned activities that promote learning within the
  
  

regular daily routines (naps and resting, transitions, family style meals, dental hygiene,

toileting, and hand washing) and other integrated service area activities and expectations

per Program Standard Operating Procedures.

• Serves meals and snacks to the children according to their developmental levels and
  
  

individual needs of the group.

• Assists Lead Teacher in organizing the classroom and activities according to the
  
  

developmental levels and individual needs of the group (per Curriculum standards).

• Promotes the development of secure relationships with children in the classroom.
• Assists in implementing well-organized learning environments with developmentally
  
  

appropriate schedules, individualized and small group activities, and indoor and outdoor

learning experiences that provide opportunities for choice, play, exploration, and

experimentation among a variety of learning, sensory, and motor experiences.

• Employs appropriate child guidance techniques. Supervises the children at all times in the
  
  

classroom and on the playground.

• Assists Lead Teacher in ensuring the individual needs of children with disabilities are being
  
  

met and all children have access to and can fully participate in the full range of activities and

services including modifications to the environment and multiple and varied formats for

instruction.

• Assists Lead Teacher in conducting developmental screenings, as assigned, ensuring
  
  

proper administration of the screening and assessment information and accurate results.

• Observes children and records observations, making appropriate referrals.
• Assists in the formal reviews each childs progress with parents three times a year.
• Assists in involving parents in the classroom and activities.
• Greets and talks with parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring smooth
  
  

transitions into the center/classroom, positive home-center connections and relationship

building with families.

• Maintains ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents through a
  
  

variety of methods (phone calls, notes, class letters, etc.).

• Assists in conducting two (2) home visits and two (2) parent conferences with each childs
  
  

family per year, according to the programs schedule, policies, and procedures.

• Assists as request d in transition strategies to support success activities.
• Assists in maintaining accurate attendance records, in kind reports, and other
  
  

recordkeeping and reports, as required.

• Must be willing to work in all outdoor weather conditions daily to provide the children the
  
  

required outdoor time per the guidelines, unless there is an active advisory.

• As assigned, ensures child/staff ratios are maintained and cooperates with other staff to
  
  

maintain the smooth functioning of the centers, which at times may require changes to meet

the needs of the children for both planned and emergency absences.

• Bus Drivers/Monitors as required
  
  

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• CDA or Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, required.
• Two years experience working with children, preferred.
• Ability to regularly stand, walk and sit in the floor.
• Excellent communication skills with adults and children.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs including Word and Excel.
• Valid Drivers License or Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or willingness and ability to
  
  

obtain license.

• CPR and First Aid Certification at hire or within the first 6 weeks of hire (training provided).
• Bi-Lingual, English/Spanish skills are beneficial.
  
  

*Macon Program for Progress is an Equal Opportunity Employer*