Early Head Start Teacher

Casa Central • Chicago, IL

100d

About The Position

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education services for young children, ages birth to five, and their families. The Early Head Start Teacher provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, assessment, evaluation and related research for children 2-year-old children. The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, and providing a supportive and positive classroom climate, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by Early/Head Start, COA, federal, state and local standards. The Early Head Start Teacher works in collaboration with parents/families and other professionals to ensure that children are ready for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Requirements

• Infant/Toddler CDA or minimum of AA in ECE with infant/toddler coursework required.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Must be computer literate and able to use Microsoft applications.
• Basic mathematical skills are required.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with web-based and other automated management information systems.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the creation and implementation of group lesson plans with the classroom teaching team.
• Utilize data from child outcomes, screenings, and IFSPs/IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group.
• Ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high quality observations and maintain up-to-date documentation.
• Implement screenings and assessments and report outcomes for children.
• Communicate with parents/families and report child progress through scheduled parent-teacher conferences and home visits.
• Serve as co-leader for the classroom team and provide guidance to children, families, teaching team, volunteers, and other visitors.
• Individualize for all children, including children with diagnosed disabilities.
• Ensure the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom.
• Facilitate the creation of an inclusive environment where children can learn in collaboration with the teaching team.
• Support social emotional development through positive classroom management approaches.
• Maintain care of classroom equipment and supplies, control inventory, and report all repairs needed.
• Promote an atmosphere of teamwork where staff, parents and children interact positively.
• Initiate referrals for children who might benefit from further evaluation.
• Participate in Individual Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings and evaluations.
• Ensure reports are submitted in a timely manner, including timesheets, classroom attendance records, and lesson plans.
• Nurture positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and outside stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all Early/Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Engage in Active Supervision strategies to support the safety and wellbeing of children.
• Participate in all required and recommended meetings and trainings.
• Actively support recruitment efforts to ensure that the program is fully enrolled year-round.

Benefits

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required.
• Pre-employment screening that includes a medical, lift and drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills’ testing.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees