Head Start Lead Teacher

The School Readiness Coach has a primary responsibility of providing high quality early learning experiences for children in the classroom setting, thus preparing them to have a solid foundation for school readiness.

SCOPE OF WORK:

School Readiness:

1. Integrates the selected and approved educational and/or social emotional curriculums into daily practice, using effective strategies to guide children's learning.
2. Prepares the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences.
3. Develop lesson plans that integrate and promote familial and cultural influences, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children.
4. Is primarily responsible to complete ongoing assessments for each child, review assessment data, and adjust teaching practices to support each child's unique learning style.
5. Leads the coaching team in collaborative lesson planning, involving all staff members in the planning process, assigning duties and tasks based on staff strengths and children's needs.
6. Establish weekly goals for individual children based on specific strengths, needs, and interests.
7. Participate in IEP/IFSP meetings as needed; collaborate with the Inclusion Coach/Teacher to ensure appropriate curriculum and lesson plan modifications are in place to meet children's IFSP/IEP goals.
8. Participate in a research based social-emotional project. Attend trainings and meetings, implement practices, and complete assessments pertaining to project.
9. Keep Child and Adult Care Food Program lunch counts and attendance. Eat with the children to model table manners and healthy eating experiences.

Family Engagement and Community Partnerships:

1. Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement.
2. Support the role of families as the first and primary teachers of their children.
3. Collaborate with Family Coach to support families' safety, health, financial stability life goals and aspirations.
4. Maintain regular communication with families regarding child's development.
5. Conduct required parent conferences and home visits for the purpose of sharing screening and assessment information, and developing shared goals and strategies with the family to support child's growth and development in both the home and class setting.
6. Help plan and participate in family activity events.
7. Coordinate with the Family Coach as needed to assist families in completing health follow ups as needed.
8. Monitor and document student attendance concerns and follow up with appropriate staff.
9. Provide learning opportunities for dual-language learning in the home and classroom setting as appropriate.

Health and Safety:

1. Maintain a clean and sanitary classroom, ensure all indoor and outdoor equipment and toys are sanitized as required per state licensing standards.
2. Check indoor and outdoor equipment and toys regularly to ensure all items are in good condition and report items that are in need of repair to Team Supervisor.
3. Collaborate with staff to ensure a daily routine zoning chart is developed and implemented, and that all staff involved understand their role and responsibility for proper supervision throughout the day.
4. Monitor for child safety, document and report any injuries and incidents, following agency policies and procedures.
5. Understand and follow all health and safety policies and procedures for reducing illnesses in the classroom.
6. Follow policies and procedures to ensure children are released only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
7. Monitor and report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect.

Documentation:

1. Utilize agency tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.
2. Ensure all federal, local, state, and/or agency documentation is completed accurately.
3. Document all family contacts, attendance, meals, lesson plans, and home visits in the agency database.
4. Document and keep record of weekly lesson plans.
5. Keep updated records and files of each enrolled child.

Professional Development:

1. Attend and participate in training and professional development activities.
2. Attend and participate in meetings.
3. Engage in team and/or individualized coaching meetings, self-reflecting on teaching practices and solution-based problem solving strategies.
4. Maintain a general knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards and complies with the standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS;

1. Bachelor's Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field with a minimum of 18 ECE credits.
2. If teaching in an Early Head Start classroom, must also have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
3. Work and/or field experience in early childhood preferred.
4. Experience working with low-income families, child care, health or education preferred.

OTHER REQUIRED CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Able to problem solve, handle crisis, and work with families and children of various cultures and low-income backgrounds.
2. Able to establish positive working relationships with families, agency staff, and community members.
3. Able to maintain a calm and nurturing demeanor when working with children.
4. Physically able to stand for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running, and lift an estimated 50 pounds.
5. Able to navigate email, internet, Microsoft Word, and other computer database programs.
6. Must have an active driver's license and will be required to travel in or out of community with own transportation.