Long Term Substitute Teacher

Innovative Network of Knowledge•Poteet, TX

About The Position

The Long Term Substitute Teacher works in an Early Head Start infant and toddler classroom to provide a purposeful, responsive program that supports children’s development and readiness for school. The teacher plans and implements developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum and individualized learning experiences, supervises classroom and outdoor activities, supports social-emotional development, and uses observation, screening, assessment, and documentation to monitor each child’s progress. The role includes collaborating with parents and staff, supporting positive caregiver-child attachment, modeling appropriate communication and guidance, and coordinating referrals and Part C services for children with special needs. The teacher maintains children’s records and required reports, follows applicable Head Start and child-care regulations, and protects the confidentiality of children, families, and staff. The position also supports family engagement through parent orientation, conferences, home visits, Parent Committee meetings, classroom volunteering, and community partnerships. The role requires occasional evening or weekend work, and travel of up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train, sometimes overnight. Physical duties include lifting up to 60 pounds and engaging in active play at children’s level. The work environment may include communicable diseases, other hazards, and moderate to loud noise.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Complete an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) certification within six months of employment, based on the date of provision of services.
Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certifications.
Ability to work in diverse environments.
Extensive knowledge and skills in early childhood development.
Computer proficiency with Word and Excel, ability to access email, and willingness to learn new programs.
Ability to supervise classrooms, staff, and volunteers.
Knowledge of state and federal child abuse and neglect regulations and DFPS Child Care licensing requirements.
Knowledge of local resources and families’ cultures.
Ability to respond to children’s needs and work effectively with staff, children, and families.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement classroom activities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate records reflecting program requirements and children’s progress.
Knowledge, skills, and a positive attitude in early childhood education; patience and tact in communication; and professionalism in daily activities.
Ability to read and follow performance standards, program policies and procedures, DFPS Child Care Licensing regulations, and emails daily.
Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation procedures.
Knowledge of current car-seat safety regulations and laws for transporting children and families in approved agency vehicles.
Ability to lift 60 pounds and to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage in physical play.
Ability to work in moderate to loud noise and understanding that the position may involve exposure to communicable diseases and hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and at-risk neighborhoods.
Ability and consent to travel by car, bus, airplane, or train up to 50%, including occasional overnight travel.
Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as required for program events.
Valid driver’s license.
Complete and pass a health examination.
Confirm eligibility to work in the United States; applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Successfully pass a driving history check and criminal background check.
Preferred: two years of related experience in an Early Head Start preschool classroom setting.
Current or former Head Start employees, students, and parents receive hiring preference if qualified.
Bilingual Spanish is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Two years of related experience in an Early Head Start preschool classroom setting.
Bilingual Spanish.
Current or former Head Start employee, student, or parent status, for hiring preference if qualified.

Responsibilities

Attend required training, workshops, online sessions, and staff meetings.
Stay current on Head Start requirements, child-care licensing regulations, IDEA and Part C/Early On, developmentally appropriate practices, and other applicable policies and regulations.
Collaborate with education staff, parents, and Parent Committee members to implement meaningful curriculum aligned with children’s individual goals and program needs.
Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff in accordance with policies and legal requirements.
Promote positive attachment among caregivers, children, and families, and model appropriate communication, guidance, and developmentally appropriate practices.
Participate in professional development, including training and early childhood education classes.
Use environmental rating scales and appropriate screening, assessment, and evaluation instruments.
Supervise classroom and outdoor activities, including classroom volunteers as assigned.
Plan and implement developmentally and linguistically appropriate Frog Street Infants & Toddlers curriculum and learning experiences suited to children’s ages, languages, and cultures.
Document and provide Part C service coordination for children with special needs, and communicate coordination efforts to the Director of Family Engagement and managers.
Plan learning experiences that support infants’ and toddlers’ intellectual, physical, literacy, language, numeracy, and problem-solving development and school readiness.
Individualize education lesson plans based on children’s needs, interests, and developmental progress.
Support children’s social-emotional development and provide positive guidance and discipline.
Participate in family-style mealtimes to model nutrition and social skills.
In cooperation with parents, observe, screen, assess, evaluate, monitor, and document children’s development and health, including dental and social-emotional health, in accordance with applicable timelines and regulations.
Refer families to local service agencies when additional services or support are needed.
Document and report suspected child abuse as required by law.
Participate in eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes.
Submit required paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor accurately and on time.
Maintain complete records of each child’s development, behavior, health, parental concerns, referrals, and contacts related to special needs.
Gather and maintain individual, family, and classroom data for ongoing assessment, evaluation, recordkeeping, and planning.
Document in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward nonfederal share requirements; collect monthly parent in-kind records and submit reports to the supervisor.
Maintain a system to ensure classroom parent-involvement needs are met and establish trusting, productive relationships with families.
Orient parents to Early Head Start throughout the year and facilitate, provide childcare for, and support monthly Parent Committee meetings.
Schedule and document parent-teacher conferences and home visits as required.
Involve parents in program educational activities and support their role as primary caregivers and their knowledge of child development.
Identify and arrange opportunities for parents to volunteer in classrooms and other activities, including substitute work.
Promote Early Head Start in the community and work with community agencies on shared activities, recruitment, and transitions.
Follow applicable performance standards, program policies and procedures, child-care licensing regulations, and daily communications.
Use knowledge of food preparation, serving, and sanitation procedures, and current car-seat safety regulations when transporting children and families in approved agency vehicles.
Travel as needed for conferences, meetings, and other duties, including occasional overnight travel.
Work occasional evenings or weekends for home visits, conferences, meetings, community events, field trips, and social events.