Early Head Start Teacher (Infant & Toddler)

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Victoria, TX

About The Position

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world! Academic Req: Required - associate’s degree; can train a person enrolled in college with completion of AA within 18 months of employment. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Certifications: None Work Experience: Preferred – Two (2) years' experience in an early childhood classroom. Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables: 1. Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care. (HSPPS §1302.90) 2. Provide responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities. (HSPPS §1302.31) 3. Use prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning. (HSPPS §1302.31, 1302.32) 4. Contribute to and support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes. (HSPPS §1302.33) 5. Provide and support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including but not limited to parent conferences and group activities. (HSPPS§1302.34) 6. Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times; and all standards of conduct. (HSPPS §1302.47, §1302.90) 7. Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument. (HSPPS§1304.16) 8. Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards. (HSPPS §1302.92). 9. Establish regular communication with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s routine classroom activities, behavior, and progress. 10. Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation to ensure documents are compliant, current, and organized 11. Monitor classroom to ensure it is free from physical and environmental hazards. 12. Report all incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol. Other Responsibilities: 1. Incorporate age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development. 2. Respond to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula. 3. Identify potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness and coordinate with education, family, mental health and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs. 4. Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings and team decision and operations. 5. Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals. 6. Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations. 7. Perform other job duties as assigned. Here at INK, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Please feel free to apply for this position even if your work experience and education do not align perfectly with every requirement for this job description. You may very well be the perfect candidate for this role or other ones that we have open. Thank you for your interest in joining our mission! INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As such, our company policy requires that all employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof. INK is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK, not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. English (United States) If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you! EEO Statement In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Requirements

Demonstrate the ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish (preferred).
Demonstrate ability to maintain emotional control, and professional composure at all times.
Maintain computer literacy required to meet the responsibilities of the position.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends.
Ability to work independently.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Complete and pass health examination.
Confirm work eligibility status.
Successfully pass driving history check.
Clear criminal background check.
Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years' experience in an early childhood classroom.
Communicate in writing and verbally in English and Spanish

Responsibilities

Ensure staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
Provide responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities.
Use prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
Contribute to and support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes.
Provide and support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including but not limited to parent conferences and group activities.
Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times; and all standards of conduct.
Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards.
Establish regular communication with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s routine classroom activities, behavior, and progress.
Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation to ensure documents are compliant, current, and organized
Monitor classroom to ensure it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
Report all incidents within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.
Incorporate age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
Respond to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
Identify potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness and coordinate with education, family, mental health and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings and team decision and operations.
Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
Perform other job duties as assigned.