Early Head Start Lead Teacher

Easter Seals Serving DCIMDIVA•Washington, DC

3d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Easterseals DC MD VA is seeking a passionate Early Head Start Lead Teacher to join their team. This role involves working with children to promote equity and inclusion through life-changing services. The position offers a rewarding, positive, and friendly work environment with a collaborative culture that fosters teamwork. The Lead Teacher will be responsible for an Early Head Start classroom, working collaboratively with a co-teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. The organization has been dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion for over 100 years and focuses on making a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

Requirements

CDA-Infants/Toddlers OR AA/AS in Early Childhood Education OR BA/BS in Early Childhood Education –OR state awarded preschool teacher certification with experience teaching preschool aged children–OR- BA/BS in related field with at least six college courses (12-18 credits) in Early Childhood Education plus experience teaching preschool aged children.
Pass physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen, and maintain required Physical/TB screen requirements.
Intermediate computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation.
Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed.
Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid.
Minimum age: 16 with work-permit.
Committed to prioritizing children and families' needs.
Effective communication with participants, families, and community sources
Willingness to actively participate and problem-solve.
Must satisfactorily complete a physical examination by a doctor to include submission of information regarding immunizations/vaccinations.
Frequently lift, hold, and carry children with a range of weight of 10-40 pounds. Occasionally lift and move classroom furniture. In addition, frequently bend, sit (close to the ground) and stand for periods at a time.
Maintain mental and physical alertness and appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.
Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple and/or unexpected situations or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish- English preferred

Responsibilities

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.
Ensure classroom arrangement, materials and displays are organized and conducive to children’s learning.
Implement BBCF Head Start’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, readalouds, circle time, and other curriculum components.
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 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 weekly Individualized Learning Plans to identify specific goals and strategies for each child in class.
Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or referral action plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs.
Establish positive and productive relationships with families through building rapport and trust.
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.
Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment.
Collaborate with 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.
Know and understand BBCF Head Start’s School Readiness Goals and strive to help all children achieve them.
Provide classroom experiences that are developmentally, linguistically, culturally and age appropriate for the children served.
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.
Conduct daily health/safety monitoring of the indoor and (as requested) outdoor environment.
Follow all health and hygiene practices, including hand-washing, sanitizing, and universal precautions.
Supervise mealtimes and “family style dining” with children.
Supervise all classroom field trips and outdoor activities.
Maintain required documentation of activities, including child and family information, assessment data, volunteer logs, etc.
Work with the team to create inclusive activities for all children, including those with disabilities.
Help plan engaging classroom activities following Easterseals and NAEYC guidelines.
Create a motivating and nurturing classroom environment for the children.
Prioritize child health, safety, and well-being. Assist with feeding,toileting, and cleanliness.
Perform additional duties as needed to support the center's operation and children's well-being.