Hillsboro Head Start Teacher (12 month)

About the position

The Head Start Teacher is responsible for the overall management of a classroom, ensuring that the objectives delineated in the annual Head Start plan are implemented. The Teacher will be knowledgeable of Texas Minimum Standards for Licensing, and provide a supportive, safe, and stimulating learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness; create an atmosphere in which the children feel comfortable and secure, reflecting the cultures of all enrolled children.
• Observe the children at all times; provide positive guidance to promote self-esteem.
• Work with the Teacher Assistant to develop lesson plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, planning for variations in ability levels and individual interests.
• Ensure that all classroom staff are competent in their abilities to interact appropriately with the children.
• Incorporate developmentally appropriate practice according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards as well as Hill Country Community Action quality Head Start standards.
• Consistently implement classroom routines, including hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities.
• Operate the classroom in compliance with all childcare-licensing standards, paying particular attention to standards prohibiting any form of physical punishment.
• Attend ARD meetings as scheduled.
• Model team leadership: ensure that the teamwork concept is upheld and implemented at the center.
• Ensure that the arrangement of the classroom provides a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment.
• Responsible for documentation in ½ of the children's files in all content areas.
• Complete Individual Developmental Plans for each enrolled child; continue the on-going assessment process, maintaining written or computer records on each child.
• Supply a variety of materials and planned activities designed to encourage individual and group play.
• Provide experiences that promote individual self-expression in conversation, imaginative play, and creativity.
• Offer a variety of language stimulation activities.
• Provide experiences involving thinking skills such as generalizing, classifying, sorting, and problem solving.
• Make available a variety of opportunities to help children develop and understand appropriate relationships with others.
• Provide continuous opportunities for children to experience success.
• Increase the complexity and challenge of activities as children develop.
• Contribute to the operation of the center by participating in staff meetings and sharing information gained through attendance at workshops and Head Start training.
• Observe, record, and report any child's behavior, sharing information appropriately with other staff members.
• Show personal development and growth by being relaxed, using a calm, quiet voice, being pleasant and enthusiastic about the children, and by using self-control in trying situations.
• Assist with transition activities for the Head Start child and family: into Head Start, during the year, and to the next placement (kindergarten).
• Complete required home visits or center conferences with parents in conjunction with the Family Service staff.
• Assist the children at snack, breakfast, and lunchtime, ensuring that the Head Start philosophy of serving family style meals is maintained and that the children serve themselves.
• Serve as transportation escort on a rotating basis with other center staff, or as requested by supervisor.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Head Start Program Director.

Requirements

• Must attend annual pre-service training in summer (date TBD upon interview).
• Associates, Bachelor's or advanced degree in early childhood education or related field. (In order for a degree to be considered related, you must have at least 9 college hours of Child Development or Early Childhood Education on your transcript).
• A minimum of 2 years' employment in a licensed child-care facility. (Bachelor's degree requirement: one year of experience in a licensed child-care facility).
• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills, as well as a thorough understanding of developmentally appropriate practice.
• Ability to communicate in a positive way to all employees and families and seek solutions to misunderstandings or problems.
• Must be flexible and have well-developed written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide guidance to classroom staff, maintain records, prepare reports, and clearly understand written or verbal instruction.
• Ability to organize, manage, and control workflow.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from various ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to identify, assimilate, comprehend, and solve critical elements of various situations (initiate solutions without constant supervision).

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual skills are encouraged.

Benefits

• Professional in manner and attire.
• No record of a conviction which would contraindicate employment.
• Must have a valid Class C driver's license and a reliable vehicle with current vehicle liability insurance; insurable under HCCAA's vehicle insurance policy.
• An initial Head Start physical screening within 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications (collateral rather than primary duty of this position).
• Must comply with all HCCAA Policies, and maintain confidentiality and courtesy in all phases of agency operations.