TEACHER

Characteristics of Work

Under the direction of the Center Administrator, the Teacher is responsible for planning and organizing, implementing activities, record-keeping and reporting, supervising and guiding, training, supporting, and collaborating to ensure the delivery of comprehensive services to children enrolled in the Head Start program. Incumbents are expected to provide all children, including those with disabilities, with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment to help them gain the confidence necessary to succeed in their current environment and to handle later responsibilities in school and life.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to:

Planning and Developing

• Prepare and implement plans, schedules, and activities in accordance with the work plan.
• Plan for field trips in accordance with program schedules and field trip plans.
• Arrange classroom space into well-organized learning centers.
• Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) staff meetings as required.
• Make a minimum of two (2) scheduled home visits per child per program year.
• Conduct two staff-parent conferences per child per program year.
• Provide positive discipline and supervision for children at all times
• Ride with Bus Drivers as assigned.
• Participate in the performance evaluation of the Teacher Assistant and the Classroom Disability Aides, where applicable.

Implementing Activities

• Assess and request classroom supplies and equipment.
• Demonstrate and encourage good eating habits in accordance with the Agency's family-style meal services procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment.
• Establish classroom rules with children.
• Demonstrate support for individual children in a positive, non-threatening manner.
• Demonstrate effective and consistent behavior management techniques in the classroom.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Conduct development screening, assessment, and evaluation of children.
• Distribute developmentally appropriate activities and resources to promote the parent as the child's primary educator.
• Refer children to the appropriate service component.
• Document and maintain required child records in the Agency's computerized assessment program.
• Prepare and submit program reports as required.
• Develop and implement children's education plans in accordance with the Agency's written curriculum.
• Report cases of suspected child abuse/neglect in accordance with state law.

Communicating and Guiding

• Meet, greet, observe, and assess children daily.
• Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions.
• Serve on program committees and boards of other organizations affiliated with children and families.

Training and Supporting

• Participate in staff meetings, parent meetings, and training sessions.
• Participate in educational and professional training as required to maintain appropriate credentials.

Additional Responsibilities

Performs other duties and assignments as directed by the supervisor.

Qualification

Bachelor of Science in Child Care and Family Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, – OR – Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development Associate (CDA), or directly related field with one (1) year of experience working with preschool children.

Special Requirements

Applicant must:

Ø pass Criminal Background and Child Abuse Central Registry checks

Ø meet State health requirements

Ø communicate effectively

Ø demonstrate proper use of grammar, legible manuscript, and cursive writing.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands and fingers, and touch or feel objects when interacting with children. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. if necessary to lift a child. The employee primarily works in an indoor environment.

Supervisory Control

The Teacher is directly responsible to the Center Administrator, who is responsible to the Director of Center Operations. The Teacher will be evaluated at least semi-annually by the Center Administrator. The evaluation will be conducted through performance monitoring and progress reviews by the Children's Services Specialist in collaboration with the Center Administrator. The Director of Children's Services will review the evaluation.

Hinds County Human Resource Agency will provide reasonable accommodations for any known disability that an otherwise qualified employee might have to assist the employee in performing essential job duties, provided that these accommodations do not result in an undue hardship for the Agency. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards for the position. Incumbents may be required to follow instructions and perform other duties required by their supervisor.