Head Start Teacher

EOAC•Waco, TX

11d•$34,257 - $40,323

About The Position

The Head Start preschool teacher is responsible for providing a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for 15- 20 children who are 3 - 4 years of age. Actively supervises children and uses positive guidance strategies. Implements the program curriculum and plans weekly lesson plans with school-readiness activities that support children's growth in social-emotional, cognitive, language/literacy, perceptual motor, and physical development. S/he works with parents to complete their child's developmental & social-emotional screening and maintains continuous anecdotes to asses children's growth/development throughout the year. Conducts two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences annually. Encourages parent involvement. The teacher is supported by a teacher aide and together create a welcoming, engaging learning environment. This position works 200 days August-June.

Requirements

An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree in Child Development (CD) or Early Childhood Education (ECE), or
An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree in a related field with 18 credit hours of coursework equivalent to a major relating to CD or ECE and experience teaching preschool children or
A bachelor's or advanced degree and: Is (or was) admitted into the Teach for America Program Passed a rigorous Early Childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II Participated in a Teach for America summer training institute that includes (or included): i. Teaching preschool children and is receiving (or received) ongoing professional development ii. Support from Teach for America’s professional staff
1-3 years of classroom experience, preferred
Enjoys daily interactions with children, including but not limited to reading, singing, comforting, setting age-appropriate limits, problem-solving, and re-directing.
Able to follow the designated curriculum and create lesson plans, incorporating creativity with learning experiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including expressive and receptive language abilities.
Able to consistently interact professionally with adults.
Computer proficient.
Must pass a pre-employment and periodic background check, physical examination, and drug test.

Nice To Haves

Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions
Plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment
Promote children's progress across the Head Start standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable Texas early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including: Improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, Their understanding and use of language, Their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, Their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, Their problem-solving abilities and their approaches to learning;
Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment;
Support the social and emotional development of children;
Encourage the involvement of the families of the children in the Head Start program and support the development of relationships between children and their families.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement daily learning experiences that advance children's intellectual and physical growth and development to improve readiness for school.
Create and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
Include activities that support the social and emotional development of children
Utilize a predetermined curriculum and incorporate the Head Start content areas of health, nutrition, and parent involvement
Continuously observe children and maintain child assessment records
Develop activities and use technology to promote creative expression
Implement indoor & outdoor activities that encourage and promote physical development
Provide learning experiences that promote cognitive development.
Incorporate activities that promote language and communication development
Establish and maintain positive ongoing communications with each child and their family through home visits and parent conferences as required
Contribute to the development and maintenance of IDP and resource materials
Supervise and guide children during mealtime, hand washing, toileting, rest periods, and play activities
Instruct, direct, and observe teacher aides and volunteers in classroom activities
Conduct all responsibilities as required under Head Start Performance Standards and Child Care Licensing Minimum standards
Participate in staff development activities, in-service training, and workshops to meet training requirements and to achieve mastery of core competencies
Ensure that children's work/play areas are maintained in a safe, sanitary, and orderly condition
Other related duties as assigned