Head Start Teacher

AVANCE • Rio Grande City, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head Start Teacher is responsible for a Head Start classroom of 3- to 5-year-old children. S/he works collaboratively with an assistant teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

Requirements

• Associate/bachelor's degree in early childhood education – OR – Associate/bachelor's degree in related field with at least six college courses in Early Childhood Education plus experience teaching preschool aged children OR – state awarded preschool teacher certification with experience teaching preschool aged children.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• At least 1 year of experience in leadership and management or completion of management training course
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; demonstrated flexibility to handle multiple priorities.
• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Dependable transportation is required daily with a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, Inc.
• Travel required up to 10% of the time for work-related site visits, meetings, and functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional support through establishing a positive climate, being aware of and responsive to children, and encouraging child expression and autonomy.
• Use strategies for behavior management, such as clear behavior expectations, being proactive and redirecting misbehavior.
• Foster classroom productivity and maximize learning time, while engaging children with a variety of modalities and materials.
• Provide instructional support through concept development, fostering children’s analysis and reasoning, engaging in feedback loops, and modeling and supporting high-quality language.
• Provide children with a consistent classroom routine and facilitate all parts of the routine to support child learning.
• Interact with children intentionally throughout the day to provide differentiated support.
• Collect documentation of children through ongoing observation, embedded and direct assessment activities.
• Complete quarterly assessment checkpoints, reliable, for each child.
• Analyze child assessment data and use it to plan and individualize.
• Complete developmental and social-emotional screenings on all children within prescribed time frames.
• Complete theme based Individualized Learning Plans to identify specific goals and implement developmentally appropriate strategies for each child in class.
• Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or referral action plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs.
• Implement PBS practices and Program Wide Expectations.
• Provide classroom experiences that are developmentally, linguistically, culturally and age-appropriate for the children served.
• Supervise mealtimes and “family style dining” with children.
• Supervise all classroom field trips and outdoor activities.
• Schedule and complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year.
• Encourage and engage family members to serve as classroom volunteers.
• Collaborate with family services staff to support families in implementing family life practices, extending learning into the home, and meeting expectations for attendance.
• Collaborate with the assistant teacher and other staff in the center.
• Share pertinent information with family services, disabilities/mental health or health/nutrition staff, as needed, to meet the needs of individual children and families.
• Participate in case conferences as appropriate.
• Maintain required documentation of activities, including child and family information, assessment data, volunteer logs, etc.
• Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment.
• Conduct daily health/safety monitoring of the indoor and (as requested) outdoor environment.
• Implement AVANCE’s chosen curriculum with fidelity, being aware of the big ideas while also following all assigned guidance and resources.
• Prepare or modify weekly lesson plans and prepare to implement small-group activities, read-aloud, circle time, and other curriculum components.
• Follow all guidance and expectations to support implementation of AVANCE’s Parent-Child Education Program.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment.
• Ensure classroom arrangement, materials and displays are organized and conducive to children’s learning.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment, including full supervision of children at all times, in accordance with Head Start and childcare licensing requirements.
• Follow all health and hygiene practices, including handwashing, sanitizing, and universal precautions.
• Support the social and emotional development of children.
• Establish positive and productive relationships with families through building rapport and trust.
• Know and understand AVANCE’s School Readiness Goals and strive to help all children achieve them.
• Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required.
• Performs any and all other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree