First Steps HEAD START LEAD TEACHER

SUMMARY Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read the full description below. The Head Start Lead Teacher must possess knowledge of the ways in which children develop an understanding of the needs, interests, and abilities of individual children. This person needs the ability to build a good public image for the Head Start program and a firm commitment to uphold the policies and procedures of the Head Start program. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Primary 1. Arrange and maintain a safe, clean, attractive physical environment conducive to learning through hands-on experience. 2. Conduct, supervise, and physically participate in daily classroom activities. 3. Plan and implement lesson plans appropriately to meet the needs of individual children. 4. Plan lesson plans in advance for two weeks and submit to Center Director bi-monthly. 5. Coordinate duties with Teacher Assistant. 6. Cooperate and coordinate with Center Director in arranging parent activities. 7.Encourage and secure volunteer services of parents and community in class. 8. Maintain and document ongoing communication with parents concerning child's developmental growth. 9. Make at least two home visits for each child annually. 10. Make at least two parent-teacher conferences for each child annually. 11. Engage in ongoing training and education in field on Early Childhood Education/Child Development. 12. Participate in training sessions with center staff. 13. Maintain and ensure that each child's records are accurate and up to date. 15. Comply with agency policies. 16. Be professional in not discussing center affairs outside its doors. 17. Carry out other duties as assigned. Completes written reports on a daily basis, such as attendance, developmental observations, significant behavior changes, etc. Assists with regular sanitation of classroom environment (toys, surfaces, meal items, etc.) Implements a learning environment that meets Head Start Performance Standards, SC Child Care Licensing regulations, CACFP, ABC Quality, and NAEYC guidelines. Acts as a role model and mentor to other staff and parents. Assists in providing guidance and training for classroom volunteers. Assess children with an appropriate assessment tool and develops objectives based on each child's individual developmental needs on each child within 45 days of enrollment (complete screenings). Uses information from assessment and observation to assist in identifying children who may have special needs. Participate in IEP/IFSP meetings when possible; provide appropriate activities and implement IEP/IFSP goals and objectives. Completes a daily health check on each child in the classroom, record findings, and make referrals when needed. Attend parent activities when necessary; serve in a support role for parents. Maintain confidentiality of children, parents, and staff PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Education and Early Childhood Development: Ensure that the education environment is developmentally and linguistically appropriate for 3-year-old children, recognizing that children have individual rates of development as well as individual interest, temperaments, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles. Ensure that the education environment supports the development of all children's social and emotional development, cognitive, language skills, and physical skills. Implement a curriculum that recognizes the need for individualized activities, integrates the educational aspects of all program areas, helps to develop children's facility in social relationships, enhances each child's understanding of self, and provides for the development of cognitive skills. Involve parents in the development of the program's curriculum and approach to child development and education, and to participate in staff-parent conferences and home visits. To encourage parents to observe and participate in their children's learning experiences in the Head Start program. QUALIFICATIONS 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 special needs to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Minimum bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or a related field with six or more courses in Early Childhood Education/Child Development and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS Employee must demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with low-income families. Employee must pass a physical, TB screenings, and satisfactory background clearance from SC Department of Social Services. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Employee must demonstrate a working knowledge of a desktop computer, Operate a desktop computer, related software, printer, copier, fax and phone. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Employee must obtain CPR, and First Aid certification within 30 days of employment, and possess a valid drivers' license. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions that do not create a hardship to the agency. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. SPECIFICATION The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Benefits *SC State Health/Dental/Vision Insurance through PEBA* *SC State Retirement* *Life insurance* *Paid Summers Off* *Paid Vacation/Sick Leave* *Paid Holidays* *Small Bonuses* Job Type: Full-time Pay: $34,293.00 - $42,293.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Employee discount * Flexible schedule * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Professional development assistance * Retirement plan * Tuition reimbursement * Vision insurance Schedule: * Monday to Friday Work Location: In person