Head Start Teacher

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Monroe, LA

About The Position

The Head Start Teacher provides responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that supports children’s healthy development and skill growth in alignment with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including for children with disabilities. The teacher uses prescribed curricula and child assessment information to plan developmentally appropriate individual and group learning experiences across language, literacy, social-emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development. The role supports screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of children’s developmental progress, and promotes family engagement through regular communication, parent conferences, and group activities. The teacher maintains children’s files and classroom documentation, ensures appropriate supervision and safety, keeps the classroom free of hazards, and reports incidents according to program policy. The position also involves collaboration with staff, service providers, and families; participation in meetings and school functions; and compliance with applicable program, state, and federal standards. The position requires an associate degree, with an option to train while enrolled in college if the associate degree is completed within 18 months of employment. Two years of early childhood classroom experience is preferred. A bachelor’s degree, particularly in Early Childhood Education, and bilingual Spanish skills are also preferred. The work may require a flexible schedule, occasional evenings and weekends, and travel of up to 50%, including occasional overnight travel.

Requirements

Associate degree required; a person enrolled in college may be trained if they complete the associate degree within 18 months of employment.
Two years of early childhood classroom experience preferred.
Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population.
Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure.
Computer literacy sufficient to meet position responsibilities.
Working knowledge of INK policies and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize duties in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, holidays, and weekends.
Ability to work independently.
Valid driver’s license.
Complete and pass a health examination.
Confirm eligibility to work in the United States for any employer; visa sponsorship is not available.
Successfully pass a driving history check and criminal background check.
Ability to lift up to 60 pounds; stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
Ability to work in settings with exposure to communicable diseases and hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and at-risk neighborhoods.
Ability to travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train, including possible out-of-state and overnight travel.
Occasional evening and weekend work may be required for home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community and social events, and field trips.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred, particularly in Early Childhood Education.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Protect children’s physical and mental health and safety, ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised.
Provide responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, including for children with disabilities.
Use prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences across developmental domains and incorporate child assessment data into individual and group planning.
Support child screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of developmental progress.
Support parent and family engagement in children’s development and program services, including conferences and group activities.
Follow child-safety practices, including appropriate supervision, reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, and adhering to standards of conduct.
Meet positive adult-child interaction expectations measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
Complete required training under state and federal standards.
Communicate regularly with parents about children’s routines, classroom activities, behavior, and progress.
Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation so records are compliant, current, and organized.
Monitor the classroom for physical and environmental hazards.
Report incidents within program-designated timeframes.
Provide age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies, and functional indoor and outdoor learning spaces; periodically change materials to support children’s interests and development.
Modify teaching strategies and lesson plans in response to classroom observations and prescribed curricula.
Identify potential barriers to children’s development and school readiness and coordinate with relevant program staff to address needs.
Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings, team decisions, and program operations.
Work collaboratively with staff, service providers, and other professionals.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.