Early Head Start Lead Teacher

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska•Macy, NE

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher plans, implements, and coordinates a comprehensive early childhood education program. The program must be developmentally appropriate, meet children’s needs, and comply with Federal Head Start Performance Standards and applicable local, state, and agency policies and procedures. The role serves infants and toddlers and includes supporting their development, maintaining a safe and stimulating classroom, partnering with families, and leading the classroom team. The regular schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Lead Teacher must notify the supervisor by 6:45 a.m. if unable to work. The position requires ethical and professional conduct and compliance with confidentiality requirements. Other duties may be assigned to meet program needs.

Requirements

Minimum Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; CDA credentials must be maintained.
Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
Knowledge of early childhood education curriculum, principles, and best practices.
Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.
Ability and willingness to remain current on child development and early childhood education practices.
Ability to work cooperatively and supportively as a team member.
Ability to establish supportive relationships and form alliances with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
Effective verbal and written communication that fosters cooperation, respect, concern, and openness to change.
Organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to collaboratively solve problems.
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including a telephone, fax machine, and copier.
Ability to perform the duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including lifting and moving objects or children weighing up to 50 pounds, walking, standing, sitting for extended periods, and physically interacting with children.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood preferred.
Two years of early childhood experience in a center-based setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe, assess, and document each child’s skills, behavior, growth, and development, and provide opportunities that promote success and self-confidence.
Develop individualized education plans for each child; identify possible developmental delays and coordinate referrals for additional evaluations with the Education Coordinator as required by the Educational Services Unit.
Participate in child and family reviews and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings, and support children and families through classroom and program transitions.
Conduct family-style mealtimes, engage infants and toddlers in conversation, and encourage toddlers’ self-help and independence through setup and cleanup activities.
Build positive relationships with children and families in the classroom.
Develop and maintain an attractive, stimulating, and healthy learning environment; encourage children to choose activities independently and ensure appropriate supervision and the required 1:4 adult-to-child ratio.
Use positive behavior support strategies and interventions and encourage children to develop self-regulation skills.
Plan and implement age-appropriate lessons and varied activities that support infants’ and toddlers’ social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and intellectual development.
Create lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes, and implement them intentionally.
Participate in interpreting and analyzing assessment results and use data to plan individual and classroom experiences and share information with families.
Schedule and meet with parents regularly about children’s progress, including at least two parent/teacher conferences and two home visits per year.
Encourage parent participation in program activities and in education activities for children at home and in the community.
Communicate with parents about children’s classroom participation and progress toward learning goals through conversations, newsletters, and Brightwheel.
Identify professional development goals, participate in ongoing professional development, and implement new strategies learned.
Complete required paperwork on time, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, and incident reports.
Lead classroom team planning sessions, monitor teammates’ observation notes and goal identification, and advocate for and support classroom best practices.
Supervise student teachers, practicum students, and volunteers as needed, and mentor or model practices for Associate Teachers and substitutes.
Maintain confidentiality regarding each child and family.
Maintain daily attendance, USDA food counts, medical logs, infant/toddler eating, sleeping, and toileting information for distribution in child files and to parents, and complete other required forms.
Attend and engage in continuing education, meetings, and professional development training as required or directed by the Education Coordinator.
Maintain professional boundaries and comply with confidentiality regulations.