Position Overview

The Head Start teacher instructs, nurtures, and encourages Head Start preschool children to increase their social competency, and guides students toward the fulfillment of their potential for social, emotional, psychological, and intellectual growth.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet and instruct assigned class in the location and at the times designated; develop and maintain a classroom environment conducive to effective learning and strives to establish positive relations with families; prepare lesson plans with assistant teacher, post plans and provide copies to the Education Coordinator; encourage students to create and maintain appropriate standards of classroom behavior
• Strive to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals, the objectives of Head Start, and the HighScope curriculum
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Evaluate student progress using required screenings and assessments within specific timelines; maintain accurate and complete records
• Make provisions for being available to students and families for education-related purposes outside of the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms
• Work to establish and maintain open lines of communication with students and their families regarding both the academic and behavioral progress of all assigned students
• Participate with assistant teacher in Home Visits and Parent/Teacher Conferences with Head Start families
• Attend and participate in Head Start staff meetings and professional development
• Meet Head Start requirements by sharing responsibility with a multi-disciplinary team
• Participate in family style meals with students by sharing the same menu to the fullest extent possible

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold a minimum of Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education; Master's degree preferred
• Must hold or qualify for a Collegiate or Postgraduate Commonwealth of Virginia Professional License with an Early/Primary Education Pre-K-3 Endorsement
• Experience working with preschool age children
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and strong organizational skills
• Bi-lingual preferred, but not required

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

The Head Start Teacher is directly responsible to the Head Start and STEP Supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or tools; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or bend and may be required to lift up to approximately 25 pounds.

FLSA status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 10, Months, 197 days, 5.6 hours per day

Reports to: Principal or Assistant Principal

Salary Scale: lcps.org/compensation