Head Start Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

All Kids Academy Head Start is seeking a Head Start Teacher! Join our team in the mission to close the achievement gap by providing quality school readiness programs and comprehensive services to children, families, and communities in East County.

Summary :

The teacher is responsible for creating a classroom environment favorable to learning and personal growth in compliance with agency standards and abilities of children. The teacher is responsible for providing and modeling high quality- responsive nurturing care, and education that is respectful of the child's development. The teacher, along with families and colleagues, works to achieve meaningful progress of each child along his / her own unique developmental path and toward school readiness goals.

Hours per week : 40

Weeks per year : 45

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS :

• Group medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match
• Annual 5% pay rate increases, up to the maximum step
• 16 Paid holidays
• Two paid personal days
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• $1500 Tuition Reimbursement each year
• $1000 Service Awards every 5 years
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary benefits : Life and AD&D, Accident Insurance, Short-term Disability, Critical Illness Insurance, and Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid professional development days

MINIMUM EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, clean, nurturing, and inviting learning environment for children;

Support the social, intellectual and emotional development of children;

Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschool children;

Build the basic curriculum on a caregiving routines as a shared experience between teacher and child;

Supervise children both indoors and outdoors at all times;

Plan and implement learning experiences and utilize integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote and advance the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of infants and toddlers;

Complete all developmentally appropriate assessments and screenings on all children as required;

Develop skill based, individualized classroom activities for each child based on parental input, direct observations, and developmental assessments / screenings including identified activities designed for children with special needs based on their Individual Education Plan;

Promote parent involvement by reinforcing the role parents as primary caregiver and educator of their child(ren);

Plan and coordinate the work of the teacher assistant and work cohesively with other staff;

Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans;

Assist families with children's transitions from toddler to preschool and / or from preschool to kindergarten;

Maintain a cooperative attitude of working together with the teacher assistant(s), volunteers, parents, and program specialists in planning and implementing activities;

Implement the developmental assessment for each child to determine the child's strengths and areas in which each child may need help;

Plan with the teacher assistant in preparing materials and supplies in advance for activities;

Implement behavior plans designed by resource / mentor teachers and / or mental health specialists;

Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self-esteem and self-discipline;

Ensure full implementation of IEPs and inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs;

Develop activities based on Individual Education Plan (IEP) for children with special needs;

Conduct a minimum of two (2) home visits with primary caregivers and two (2) parent / teacher conferences per family, per academic year;

Conduct direct observations on children and record data;

Collect data and file in children's portfolios and files;

Ensure routines such as __ diapering, toileting / training, hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities are carried out in a manner that is prompt, hygienic, and consistent with regulations and good child development practices;

Work effectively with other staff at the center to promote teamwork, maintaining professionalism and continuously sustaining a positive environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION : Prior to employment, in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 as amended, employment candidate will be required to provide either proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish the candidate's eligibility to be employed in the U.S. Head Start regulations require that no person shall work in any Head Start program until they have been fingerprinted and cleared through the Department of Justice.

AKA Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be denied employment, discriminated against, or prohibited from participating fully in employment opportunities for reasons of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), age, gender, gender identity, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic characteristic, marital status, military or veteran status, medical or physical disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by federal state, or local law.

Applicants will be required to obtain a Health Screening, TB clearance, proof of immunization against measles and pertussis (MMR and Tdap vaccines), and background clearance prior to starting employment.

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