Teacher I

Save the Children US

2h•Onsite

About The Position

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children, ensuring they have a healthy start in life, access to education, and a safe environment. Working in over 100 countries, including the U.S., every role at Save the Children contributes to creating positive, irreversible change for children. The Head Start Teacher is responsible for developing and implementing individual and group educational plans for preschool children, promoting their social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth appropriate to their developmental stage. This role involves managing the day-to-day operations of a Head Start classroom, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The teacher will build strong partnerships with families and maintain high program quality. As a front-line representative, the teacher must ensure the safety and security of children and families, adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaborations, Creativity, and Integrity.

Requirements

Minimum of an associate degree in child development, early childhood education or a related degree with early childhood equivalent coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high quality services to children and families
Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative
Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.
Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
Maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).

Responsibilities

Develop and implement individualized and group lesson plans as well as educational activities that promote all developmental areas to improve the readiness of children for school.
Ensure there is a safe, healthy and developmentally-appropriate learning environment.
Build effective relationships within the organization, the children and their families.
Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated online systems.
Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
Plan, conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings. Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child including weekly observations, examples of the child's work and developmental assessments.
Keep manager informed of important issues
Work with the Assistant Teacher, Program Aides and Volunteers to develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
Engage with children during all activities throughout the day. Provide constant supervision of children during all learning activities indoors and outdoors and ensure safe environment.
Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure the playground is safe.
Provide a balanced program of child-initiated and teacher-directed activities and opportunities for individual, small group and large group learning activities.
Eat with and assist children in eating during mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
Ensure that the physical needs of children are met, assisting children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, diapering and toilet habits.
Create ways to engage parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
Create an inventory of all classroom equipment and supplies annually.
Plan and conduct conferences (minimum 2) and home visits (minimum 2) or more often as needed to ensure parent/caregiver is well informed on their child’s progress of development and learning, routines, activities and behavior.
Work in cooperation with Manager of Education & Inclusion to develop and document progress on professional development plan; actively engage in professional development activities to increase qualifications.
Work closely with management to ensure program compliments Head Start Program Performance Standards.
This position must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and protect the children’s safety by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
Ensure the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind activities, goods and services.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

11 paid holidays plus 10 days for winter break and 5 days for spring break, (with additional 5 hours PTO.
Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into High-Deductible Health Plan in which company matches a portion of contribution.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll into health care and dependent care options.
Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
Parental/adoption, fertility benefits
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.