Head Start Teacher

Job Code: 25-2011

Salary: $16.10– $30.14

Status: Full-Time, Permanent , Non-Exempt

Department: Education

Location: ELC

Reports To: Head Start Supervisor

Telecommute: No

Fleet: No

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630 & OCFS

Summary: Under the general direction of the Head Start Supervisor, the Head Start Teacher is responsible for providing children with a safe, comfortable environment enriched with a variety of hands-on, age-appropriate activities that meet best practice standards and enhance each child’s level of development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

• Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies.
• Adhere to all policies, standards, and procedures as dictated by Tribal Personnel Policies, NYS OCFS Child Care Licensing Regulations, the ELC Behavior Management Plan, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, Head Start Program Performance Standards and all other applicable regulations pertaining to health, safety and sanitation.
• Implement curriculum that is responsive to children’s learning and development by engaging in and documenting a continual planning-assessment cycle. Set individual child goals in partnership with families and share assessment results during parent-teacher conferences and home visits. Submit all goals and lesson plans to Education Coordinator and Head Start Supervisor.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Ensure developmentally appropriate practices at all times and utilize program tools including, Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, CLASS, Pyramid Model, NYS Early Learning Guidelines NYS Core Body of Knowledge, Environmental Rating Scales, and current research and best practice.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and empowerment to the Head Start Teacher Aides by effectively communicating information regarding development and learning, scheduling, duties, and all other relevant information.
• Create and maintain an accurate and updated profile on the Aspire Registry. Participate in all professional development requirements, including coaching/mentoring, and work with Education Coordinator/Coach to set professional goals and maintain an Individual Professional Development Portfolio.
• Maintain accurate documentation in the classroom monthly binder and submit by designated deadline to administrative team.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
• Promote continuous quality improvement for the achievement of stated program goals by working with program staff, service providers, consultants, and other relevant community agencies.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: The Head Start Teacher shall carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable Tribal rules. Responsibilities also include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining the Head Start Teacher Assistant and the Head Start Teacher Aides.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must always maintain strict confidentiality.

• Applicants with the ability to speak the Mohawk language is an asset.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Education and/or Experience: 

• A minimum of an associate degree, OR must be willing to obtain an associate’s degree within 3 years and create an education plan, in early childhood education WITH
• Two (2) Years experience teaching preschool-age children.

PREFFERED

• A Bachelor’s or master’s degree in education. 

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to implement regulations that govern programs for young children; acknowledging that all staff will cooperate to implement a program that far exceeds minimum regulations.
• Ability to recognize when to call the NYS OCFS Hotline in the event of an incident involving a parent, other staff member, or any other adult and a child under the care of the ELC.
• Ability to ensure that the rights and needs of children are the highest priority, while also recognizing the needs of other family members.
• To provide needed human and financial resources that will benefit families and children.
• To contribute to the ongoing review, evaluation and modification of services as needed by the community, families and children.
• To provide information about the services of the program to the community and to engage staff in cooperative problem solving, planning and continuing evaluation of themselves and the program.

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and criminal background check in compliance with PL 101-630 & OCFS Guidelines prior to employment.