Lead Teacher

Job description

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION This position serves as the Lead of a teaching team in a classroom of preschool children. This position plans and implements a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool children that promotes developmental gains toward the attainment of kindergarten readiness skills as defined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards, The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, and Kindergarten Readiness Goals. Behavior and actions in the classroom, with families, the community, and with staff serve as a model of excellence. Because this position is one part of a large system of services provided to children and families, this position also serves as a social service referral person and shares responsibility for parent involvement in the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. The position may serve as “program director” for child care licensing purposes. B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned. Professional Development Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings, as required by Head Start and Michigan state licensing. Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including Head Start Performance Standards, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices. Keeps up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practice. Maintains knowledge of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination. Able to work with children at all levels of development. Maintains professional certification that the employee was hired with or obtained to meet Head Start and ISD standards. Successfully completes and maintains basic First Aid, CPR certification, and required licensing training. Actively participates in opportunities for continuous professional development. Preschool Program Implementation Participates in the delivery of Head Start services as defined by Head Start Performance Standards and Saginaw ISD Head Start Operational Procedures. Establishes a safe, healthy, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children birth to five and children with all abilities. Ensure that learning environments are safe from hazards, free from clutter, and allow for visibility of children by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist. The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies, procedures, and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and HIPAA. Fosters self-esteem, self-direction, self-control, and school readiness skills with preschool children by using positive methods and modeling and participating in curriculum development and implementation. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline, including the ability to support and guide students with challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate practices. Complies with program curriculum, curriculum overlays, and supplemental curriculum, State of Michigan Licensing for child care centers, and the Head Start Program Performance Standards Screens, observes and assesses children’s development on a regular basis, analyzes data and makes plans or referrals specific to the needs of the individual child. Participates in recruitment activities and transportation services Assists with kitchen duties as necessary, i.e., warming up food, dishing food into bowls, taking food temperatures, and cleaning refrigerator and warmer. Assists with bus aide duties as necessary, i.e., riding the bus, completing bus paperwork, and buckling children in seats on the bus. Supervises and eats nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity to model good nutrition, proper social skills, and language stimulation in a family-style environment as listed in the Head Start Performance Standards. Staff may be asked to cover other classrooms to meet licensing ratios. Record Keeping Submits weekly/monthly paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor as scheduled. Supervises or orders supplies as needed and takes inventory as requested. Maintains child records in cooperation with the Family Advocate(s). Gathers and maintains individual, family, and classroom data for documentation, screening, ongoing assessment, evaluation, and record-keeping for successful individual and program planning. Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement. Parent Involvement and Community Relations Supports monthly Parent Club meetings at the center. Schedules and arranges meetings, and documents parent-teacher conferences and home visits as required. Models, mentors, and supervises all classroom volunteers, including parents who come into the classroom. Works closely with the local school system(s), as appropriate, for shared activities, registration, and smooth transition. Virtual if needed Supervision Plans, supervises and works in conjunction with Associate Teacher, Program Aide, and other staff as assigned on all aspects of the classroom and implementation of the curriculum. C. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Direct supervision means those employees take the position, direct, and evaluates the duties. This position is the first step for conflict resolution. Positions supervised: Associate Teacher Program Support Aide in the classroom (if applicable) Substitutes (while working in the classroom) Classroom Volunteers (if applicable) D. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development. Ability to use Active Supervision strategies to keep children safe by: Setting up the environment to be able to see children around the room at all times, Position yourself to see and hear all children in your care, Count and use Face to Name while transitioning in and out of the classroom, Listen for potential danger, Anticipate children’s behavior to predict what the child will do next, and Engage and Redirect to assist the children and help solve problems. Extensive computer knowledge of Word and Excel. Also, the ability to access e-mail and knowledge of ChildPlus and Teaching Strategies Gold and/or willingness to learn programs as needed Knowledge of basic supervision. Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect reporting and child care licensing requirements. Ability to demonstrate extensive knowledge, skills, and a positive attitude in the field of early childhood education. Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public. Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities. Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation procedures. Ability to follow directions and take initiative. Ability to engage in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child relationships and family well-being. Ability to respect and respond appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served. Ability to enhance the parent-child relationship and support parents’ role as the first and life-long educators of their children. Ability to act as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are coordinated and integrated throughout the program. E. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS Noise levels in the work environment may be moderate to loud. Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for attendance at conferences, meetings, or other duties at distant locations, in and out of state. In some cases, overnight travel may be required. Some evening and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Club meetings, and social and community events. Riding the bus may be required. This position works in a preschool classroom with child-size furniture and seating. The position requires sitting in child-sized chairs and on the floor; adverse driving conditions; bending; stretching; extended sitting; extended standing; extended walking; stair climbing; kneeling; crouching; reaching; fine and gross motor skills; coordination of hands-fine and gross; eye/hand/foot coordination; visual memory and discrimination; auditory memory and discrimination; reading and writing ability; judgment; simple and complex decision making; and lifting up to 75 pounds. This position is covered by the OSHA Final Rule Blood borne Pathogens Act, Category A, with the potential for exposure to communicable diseases and pests such as head lice. This position is a mandated reporter of child abuse/neglect and must have a Department of Human Services child abuse and neglect clearance. F. QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS Bachelor or Advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor’s and coursework equal to a major in Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool. Must be willing to obtain Administrative training within six months of employment. Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start, early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practice. Must be willing and able to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis and drug screening results, a clear criminal records check, and an initial health exam are required after the job offer and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start employees, students, and parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified. Personal qualifications require emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that does not interfere with responsibilities. Also, education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children. G. SALARY School Year Pay Range: $31,000-$43,297/annually (Based on Credentials) Year Round Pay Range: $40,000-$56,287/annually (Based on Credentials) SISD - Saginaw County Head Start is a customer-driven, family-friendly program. As such, all staff must value and be committed to the highest levels of professionalism, cooperation, teamwork, and tolerance; this includes working well with families, children, co-workers, supervisors, and the greater community. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources Saginaw Intermediate School District 3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603 Telephone: (989) 799-4733, Fax: (989) 249-8756 Email: Web: