Head Start Teacher

You Thrive Florida•Pierson, FL

1d•$22 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the classroom, guiding and directing the learning experiences for children by providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment. This is a full-time position with benefits. The schedule is Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The primary work location is Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties. The role requires adherence to You Thrive Florida and Head Start policies and procedures, as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree (must enroll in a Bachelor's degree program within 90 days and complete within 3 years).
Completion of all required trainings mandated by the Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, Office of Early Learning School Readiness Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook, and other training standards adopted by the Office of Early Learning.
Must obtain/maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
Two years of experience in child education, care, and service or a related field.
Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current insurance carrier.
Subject to federal, state, and local legal requirements/background checks.
Ability to carry out lesson plans.
Ability to implement and coordinate children’s activities.
Ability to work with children with special needs.
Knowledge of early childhood education methods.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children.
Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to arrive to work daily and on time.
Ability to work with limited direction.
Knowledge of organization methods.
Ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions.
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to analyze and interpret data.
Ability to use and operate a personal computer.
Knowledge of child disability and mental health issues.
Ability to maintain You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child and parent confidentiality.
Knowledge of classroom management techniques.
Ability to be reliable, responsible, and accountable to job requirements.

Nice To Haves

Head Start required annual training hours.

Responsibilities

Provides developmentally appropriate activities to enhance physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children, ensuring individual needs are met.
Prepares and implements lesson plans in collaboration with the teacher assistant, ensuring small group, large group, and individual experiences are provided.
Ensures current lesson plans are posted in the classroom.
Guides children in developing basic concepts as prescribed in education, nutrition, health, dental, and mental health plans.
Ensures children are prepared for screening and examination procedures (vision, hearing, dental, speech, developmental).
Maintains ongoing observation and assessment on each child, including anecdotal notes and health checks.
Works collaboratively with health staff to ensure a well-stocked first aid kit.
Ensures medication is stored properly and OSHA standards are met.
Maintains current emergency contact information for families.
Administers medication to children, following all written procedures.
Develops an Education Child Portfolio for each child with required documentation.
Ensures referrals are completed and submitted for any child with a suspected delay or concern.
Participates in child staffing processes with the disability services team and LEA, including paperwork and IEP implementation.
Implements and documents organized play in the outdoor learning environment.
Provides appropriate guidance to promote children’s gross motor development.
Balances indoor and outdoor activities to stimulate cognitive growth and physical skills.
Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground area.
Monitors and reports needed repairs to the supervisor.
Establishes and maintains an adequately supplied classroom.
Prepares requests for and purchases classroom supplies/equipment with supervisor approval.
Provides and participates in learning experiences that allow children to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, question, and gain mastery.
Encourages language development by asking open-ended questions.
Supports the development of children’s positive self-concept and social skills through cultural and ethnic acceptance.
Provides direct supervision to children at all times, maintaining child/staff ratios.
Maintains accurate classroom attendance, assuring sign-in/out sheets correspond with the number of children.
Provides information to the Family Advocate regarding child absences.
Posts and reviews the current menu in the classroom for discussion with children.
Participates with children at mealtimes, ensuring family-style dining is implemented.
Plans and implements healthy cooking experiences within the classroom.
Ensures regular safety and fire/storm drills are conducted.
Assures that emergency procedures and evacuation routes are posted.
Maintains and documents regular contact with parents, including two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences yearly.
Recruits parents as volunteers.
Documents/reports parent participation in center activities.
Completes two individualized home activities each month per child and provides to parents.
Acquaints volunteers with the classroom and expectations.
Prepares parent bulletin board and ensures compliance with program standards.
Reports child abuse and neglect in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Emphasizes the importance of child cleanliness/hygiene, assuring hand washing and tooth brushing occur at appropriate times.
Ensures children’s hands and face are clean upon departing for the day.
Plans and participates in educational field trips meeting Head Start requirements.
Assists in the recruitment of children for the program.
Participates in community activities that enhance the Head Start program.
Maintains appropriate documentation required by USDA/Child Care Food Program.
Provides professional guidance to and collaborates with the teacher assistant.
Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start families.
Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan.
Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meetings/trainings.
Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff, and agency information.
Maintains effective working interactions with coworkers and outside contacts.
Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
Demonstrates proficiency and application in the learning environment of the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System).
Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment.
Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff.