Lead Teacher - Preschool (Early Childhood Program Specialist 3) - 9.5 month cyclic

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

1d

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Center Manager, the Head Start (HS) Early Childhood Program Specialist 3 (ECPS3) is responsible for implementing the educational curriculum and the general operation of an early childhood classroom and providing support services to preschoolers and their families, including home visits, as defined by HS Performance Standards and applicable state and local laws and regulations. Also, this position may provide feedback and evaluate the progress of student teachers in an early childhood classroom setting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or closely related field with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education social sciences, from an accredited institution.
• Knowledge of early childhood education theory and practices, including child development, developmentally appropriate practices, primary caregiving, observation and ongoing assessment, individualizing, planning, special services, referrals, developing and maintaining a classroom environment and routines, and child management.
• Knowledge of the impacts of complex trauma on family systems.
• Knowledge of appropriate techniques for diapering, sanitation, napping, feeding, and toilet training.
• Ability to understand and utilize data in decision-making and program implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• First aid/CPR (as available through Spokane Colleges)
• Ability to obtain 30 hours of STARS basic training or provide proof of exemption.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience working with children birth to five years of age.
• Experience with primary caregiving, and attachment and bonding theory.
• Previous experience with HS/EHS or working with low-income families from a variety of cultural groups, especially English as a Second Language (ESL).
• Basic computer skills, including e-mail and word processing.
• Previous experience with Teaching Strategies Gold and Creative Curriculum tools.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that promote children’s’ cognitive, social, emotional and physical development and reflects the changing needs of infants/toddlers and or preschoolers.
• Partner with parents to support child development goals.
• Develop, individualize, and implement appropriate early childhood curriculum Child Individual Plans (CIP) that meets Performance Standards.
• Facilitate appropriate parenting skills.
• Support Part C services (birth to three), for Individual Family Services Plans (IFSP) and/or Individual Education Plans (IEP) for preschoolers.
• Implement education curriculum that is responsive to children’s needs and interests.
• Demonstrate effective teacher child interactions that support whole child development.
• Provide child primary caregiving that is engaging, responsive, attentive, consistent, nurturing, supportive, and culturally sensitive.
• Assess individual children’s level of development to inform curriculum development and individualize teaching for each child’s level of development; maintain a hard copy and electronic record keeping system in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Plan, present, and evaluate children’s activities.
• Coordinate daily classroom workflow, assign tasks, direct, and monitor the work of classroom aides, students, and volunteers.
• Provide feedback and evaluate the progress of student teachers in a classroom setting.
• Promote and protect children’s health by adhering to Individual Health Plans (IHP) and special diet needs.
• Attend to children’s personal needs and use routine care as a component of primary caregiving.
• Build positive and effective relationships with families, interact and communicate with families regularly, schedule and conduct home visits and parent conferences.
• Work effectively as a member of a classroom and direct services team to provide integrated, comprehensive services to children and families.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships within the community; represent and promote HS/EHS at community events and committees, as assigned.
• Stay informed by attending all necessary training and meetings and reading all written program updates.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under Public Employees Benefits Board
• WA State Retirement Plan
• vacation and sick leave begin to accrue at the rate of one (1) day per month, upon employment.
• This position is designated a bargaining unit position and union membership is not a condition of employment.
• Leave accruals and usage are governed by the WFSE collective bargaining agreement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level