Associate Teacher Head Start

Winnebago Tribe•Winnebago, NE

1d•$18

About The Position

Educare of Winnebago is a collaborative partnership between the Winnebago Tribal Council, Winnebago Head Start, Winnebago Child Care and the Winnebago Public Schools. The mission of Educare is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families. Job Purpose & Position Overview The Associate Teacher works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the supervision of the Education Coordinator and Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher will ensure the education program is developmentally appropriate meeting the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Winnebago, Head Start/Early Head Start, Sixpence, and the Nebraska Department of Education. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher takes responsibility for the management of the classroom.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or Preschool Child Development Associate credential
Must be willing to obtain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education
Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
Willingness to participate in Educare’s commitment to continuously review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements
Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children
Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change
Ability to take, or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one’s own culture, beliefs, and values
Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities
Ability to collaboratively problem-solve
Maintain boundaries and performs all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
Complies with all confidentiality regulations as required
Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.
Must attend all department meetings and training courses as required.
Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.
All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.
In accordance with the Nebraska child care licensing standards, all staff members and volunteers, must complete a pre-employment criminal history record check. The check must be conducted through the Nebraska State Patrol.

Responsibilities

Observe, assess and document each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
As assigned, develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
Contribute information for child and family staffing.
As assigned, coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Education Coordinator.
Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom
Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage child’s independence and self-selection of activities.
Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.
Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and participate in implementing them intentionally.
Assist in the integration of other areas, i.e., health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement, into the education plan.
Assist in, or take responsibility for as assigned, the creation of documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.
Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
As assigned by the Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress.
As assigned, participate in home visits with each child’s family to clarify child and family needs.
Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
Develop effective partnerships with parents by encouraging input into all aspects of the educational program.
Participate in reflective supervision with primary supervisor.