Head Start Teacher

Description Job Overview The Head Start Teacher is responsible for a Head Start classroom of 3- to 5-year-old children. S/he works collaboratively with an assistant teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. Job Responsibilities Child Growth and Development Provide emotional support through establishing a positive climate, being aware of and responsive to children, and encouraging child expression and autonomy.

Use strategies for behavior management, such as clear behavior expectations, being proactive and redirecting misbehavior. Foster classroom productivity and maximize learning time, while engaging children with a variety of modalities and materials. Provide instructional support through concept development, fostering children’s analysis and reasoning, engaging in feedback loops, and modeling and supporting high-quality language.

Provide children with a consistent classroom routine and facilitate all parts of the routine to support child learning. Interact with children intentionally throughout the day to provide differentiated support. Collect documentation of children through ongoing observation, embedded and direct assessment activities. Complete quarterly assessment checkpoints, reliable, for each child. Analyze child assessment data and use it to plan and individualize.

Complete developmental and social-emotional screenings on all children within prescribed time frames. Complete theme based Individualized Learning Plans to identify specific goals and implement developmentally appropriate strategies for each child in class. Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or referral action plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs. Implement PBS practices and Program Wide Expectations.

Provide classroom experiences that are developmentally, linguistically, culturally and age-appropriate for the children served. Supervise mealtimes and “family style dining” with children. Supervise all classroom field trips and outdoor activities. Communication and Service Coordination Schedule and complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year. Encourage and engage family members to serve as classroom volunteers.

Collaborate with family services staff to support families in implementing family life practices, extending learning into the home, and meeting expectations for attendance. Collaborate with the assistant teacher and other staff in the center. Share pertinent information with family services, disabilities/mental health or health/nutrition staff, as needed, to meet the needs of individual children and families.

Participate in case conferences as appropriate. Record Keeping and Reporting Maintain required documentation of activities, including child and family information, assessment data, volunteer logs, etc. Ongoing Monitoring/Self-assessment Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment. Conduct daily health/safety monitoring of the indoor and (as requested) outdoor environment, Planning and Implementation Implement AVANCE’s chosen curriculum with fidelity, being aware of the big ideas while also following all assigned guidance and resources.

Prepare or modify weekly lesson plans and prepare to implement small-group activities, read-aloud, circle time, and other curriculum components. Follow all guidance and expectations to support implementation of AVANCE’s Parent-Child Education Program. Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment Ensure classroom arrangement, materials and displays are organized and conducive to children’s learning.

Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment, including full supervision of children at all times, in accordance with Head Start and childcare licensing requirements. Follow all health and hygiene practices, including handwashing, sanitizing, and universal precautions. Support the social and emotional development of children. Establish pos