Community Action of Allegan County

Head Start Teacher Position Description

Program: Head Start

JobTitle: Lead Teacher for Head Start

This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, administration, human resources, applicants, and other agencies with a clear understanding of the job. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job descriptions is not intended to limit normal change and growth.

I. OBJECTIVE OF THE JOB (PURPOSE):

Lead Teacher for Head Start is responsible for providing instructional experiences for the preschool child for adequate development in the social, emotional, physical, and educational processes.

II. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

A. Every preschool child will be engaged in and challenged by a variety of learning experiences.

1. Possesses knowledge and understanding of early childhood development.

2. Meet individual needs of children including primary language.

3. Develop goals and objectives.

4. Collaborate job duties with Teacher Associate and plan together.

5. Plan outcomes for children.

6. Plans and implements transitions in classroom.

7. Plansand implementsactivities for outdoor learning environment.

8. Plans and implements home activities that extend the classroom learning into

the home.

  1. English Language Learners make significant progress in their primary language as well as English.

1. Works together with other classroom/center staff to support English language

acquisition for preschool children.

  1. Works together with other classroom/center staff to support primary language acquisition.
  1. Each child’s interest drive the curriculum.
  1. Recognizes, expands, and supports children’s ideas.
  2. Incorporates each child’s interests into planning classroom activities.
  1. A safe and healthy environment will support the development and learning of preschool children.
  1. Assure that room arrangement meets the developmental needs of all children.
  2. Maintain a safe and sanitary indoor and outdoor environment.
  3. Implements effective classroom management strategies.
  4. Conduct daily health check of children and address medical needs of children.
  5. Children and adults practice healthy habits and routines.
  6. Engagesin positive two-way communication appropriate to the level of each child, in their primary language when possible.
  7. Releases child to appropriate adults.
  8. Follows and implements emergency drills.

E. Every child will show measurable progress toward child learning outcomes/standards.

  1. Assess present level of development towards child learning outcomes /standards.
  2. Plansactivities that support progress of each individual child.

F. Parents, staff, and partners are knowledgeable regarding initial screening and ongoing assessment of child’s progress.

  1. Administer screening of all developmental domains (or obtain copies of current screening) within 45 calendar days of entry into the program.
  2. Screening and assessment results are shared with families, staff, and partners.

G. Documentation and recordkeeping are timely and accurately completed and maintained as required by all applicable regulations.

  1. Obtain all necessary permissions and documentation on each child.
  2. Maintain individual child’s portfolios.
  3. Utilize agency software to timely and accurately input data and generate reports used for tracking and follow-up.

H. Collaborations are established to maximize all resources.

  1. Possesses knowledge and effectively utilize community resources.
  2. Confers with families;refer child and family concerns to appropriate partnersand staff.
  3. Actively participates in communication among co-workers to ensure each child’s success in the classroom.
  4. Plans and implements transitions from Early Head Start or other setting to Head Start and from Head Start into kindergarten or other setting.
  5. Works in partnership with the families, Admissions and Release Committee team and service providers in the development and implementation of the child’s individual education plan.

I. Staff relationships promote a climate conducive to learning.

  1. Supervises, coach, and mentor Teacher Associates and other classroom personnel.
  2. Clarifies roles of adults, including volunteers and substitutes, in the classroom.
  3. Actively communicates with families to ensure every child’s success.

III. UNIVERSAL STANDARDS:

A. Positive relationships are developed with staff, parents, children, and community.

1. Builds relationships based on mutual trust and rapport.

2. All issues are approached with a win-win attitude that respects the dignity of

all parties.

B. Actions and statements of staff, as a representative of the agency, promote, and progress the agency mission.

1. Conveys a clear understanding of the organization’s vision.

2. Demonstrates agency and program values in job performance.

3. Staff has a general knowledge of roles and responsibilities of other positions

within the program.

C. Professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes are enhanced by the utilization of opportunities and resources available.

D. Confidentiality is maintained in accordance with agency policy and according to federal, state, and local regulations.

E. Responsibilities are carried out to a successful completion.

1. Meets schedules deadlines and performs routine tasks with minimal

supervision.

2. Possess and maintains the necessary skill level in technology systems and

software required to perform individual job duties.

F. Desired results are achieved with children, parents, staff, and community by

effectively using all forms of communication.

1. Demonstrates the knowledge of and the ability to effectively use

communications tools. (i.e. telephone system, e-mail, fax, etc.)

2. Demonstrates effective, respectful oral and written communication skills with

staff, parents, children, and community.

IV.PHYSICALDEMANDS:

The above listed position requires the following physical capabilities:

1. Ability to lift/manipulate/move objects weighing no more than 60 pounds from

one place to another.

2. Ability to lift objects from the floor to 18" inches above the shoulder.

3. Vision sufficiently correctable to permit full performance of all job duties.

4. Ability to drive or provide transportation for required travel in specified county, counties,or service area.

5. Wide range of mobility including walking, running, climbing (step stool), sitting(including in small/child chairs and the floor),stooping, bending, and carrying necessary to perform planning, preparation, classroom activities, and possible evacuation in emergencies.

6. Physically able to perform with degree of dexterity such clerical functions as filing, labeling, stamping, stapling, typing, and writing.

V.EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood education. Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement preferred.

VI. ACCOUNTABILITY/AUTHORITY:

The Lead Teacher for Head Start reports to the Operations Supervisor. The Lead Teacher for Head Start supervises the Teacher Associate for Head Start in their classroom.

VII. Other

Is capable of handling confidential information. Feels a strong commitment to the fundamental concepts of Head Start. Is willing to work evening and weekend hours when the needs of the program make it necessary. Must have excellent organizational skills.

VIII. Pay/Benefits:

Wage range dependent on credentials and experience ($14.21 - $17.00). Full time,

partial year position. Agency health benefits and sick and vacation leave available.

An annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase will be given when funds are available. Additional wage increases are dependent upon attendance at all regular staff meetings, the achievement of professional development goals, and the availability of sufficient funding.

Community Action of Allegan County (CAAC) extends employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, sex, weight, height, religion, national original, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability unrelated to the employee’s ability to perform his/her job and/or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, lay-off, recall, transfers, leave of absence, compensation and training, including internship.

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, CAAC will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Any qualified applicant or employee with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should contact a CAAC management.

Employees in Michigan who require an accommodation for a qualifying disability must notify CAAC in writing within 182 days after they know or reasonably should know that an accommodation is needed. The CAAC posts position openings and notices in appropriate places available to internal employees and other applicants for employment, that include provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.