Teacher I

LSF • Riviera Beach, FL

3d

About The Position

The Teacher I serves as the lead worker in a Head Start or Early Head Start classroom, planning and implementing educational activities for preschool-aged children or infants and toddlers in compliance with federal performance standards. The role participates in Head Start/Early Head Start quality assurance efforts and supports children's learning, development, safety, and readiness for kindergarten.

The teacher maintains an effective classroom environment, assesses and documents children's development, communicates with parents and colleagues, and coordinates classroom activities, volunteers, and field trips. The position also includes monitoring children's health and safety, maintaining required records and portfolios, making referrals and reporting suspected abuse or neglect, and assisting with special-needs transportation when needed. Teachers must meet Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten standards and program expectations for child readiness, staff-child interactions, and teacher performance.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education; or an Associate's Degree in another subject, coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education, and experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• For coursework equivalent to a related major, at least 18 semester credits in courses specifically focused on areas such as child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science, and children's literature.
• Complete required state childcare training, including an approved 10-hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers course and 45 hours of Florida Child Care Facility Training within the specified timeline after hire; enroll within 90 days and complete within 12 months, subject to the stated industry-entry timeline and 15-month maximum.
• Complete all state-mandated courses for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK).
• Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, preschool, or kindergarten-age children.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire.
• Successfully complete Level II background screening, health screening, TB screening, and drug screening before hiring.
• Working knowledge of brain development and its impact on early learning; child development from birth to age five for typical and atypical children; early childhood culture and practices; developmentally appropriate practices; behavior modification theories and practices; and current early childhood educational techniques and practices.
• Skills in applying supervisory techniques, presenting to groups, communicating verbally with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, and resolving conflicts between preschool-aged children.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise others' work and to plan, organize, and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to provide responsive routine care for infants and toddlers; assume seated, bent, or kneeling positions for extended periods; collect, organize, and evaluate data and draw logical conclusions; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and prepare and maintain work-related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information, use a computer and related software, follow established procedures, administer CPR and first aid, implement safety procedures, and work effectively with others.
• Ability to provide physical assistance in transporting children with special needs and safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and physically assist in transporting children with special needs by lifting them into seats and fastening safety belts; reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish, or English and other languages present in the local area.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement daily educational and enrichment lesson plans for preschool-aged children or infants and toddlers in accordance with federal performance standards.
• Arrange classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screen and assess children to identify developmental and educational needs, and develop and implement individual education plans.
• Monitor meals, snacks, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to maintain children's safety; monitor food service and supplies for adequate inventory.
• Document children's progress and complete required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.
• Initiate referrals for children to the Center Director through formal documentation.
• Plan classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.
• Attend and participate in workshops and meetings to acquire and share information.
• Communicate with parents about children's progress, events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information through conferences, correspondence, and telephone calls.
• Conduct health checks, report health concerns to the appropriate Health Coordinator, and perform first aid and CPR as needed.
• Align lessons and classroom activities with Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards and conduct required VPK assessments.
• Work toward ensuring at least 80% of children are kindergarten ready, achieve CLASS scores above the lowest 10% threshold in each domain, use active supervision and positive classroom behavior practices, and receive a satisfactory or higher Teacher Success Rubric score.
• Maintain a comprehensive portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, work samples, and developmental assessments.
• Use home visits and parent conferences to discuss children's development and progress, help parents develop observational skills, and solicit parent observations.
• Report suspected child abuse and neglect to the designated state agency.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee field trips for assigned children.
• Order supplies and equipment for children with special needs in the classroom.
• Assist with transporting children with special needs by lifting them into seats and fastening safety belts.
• Inspect classrooms and grounds for safety, orderliness, sanitation, and cleanliness; review and forward accident and incident reports.
• Discuss and coordinate child and family concerns with other Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Perform other related duties as required, depending on the assigned area of responsibility.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Telehealth with 24/7 online access to doctors.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• 13 paid holidays and one floating holiday.
• Generous paid time off policy starting at 16 working days per year; Head Start employees' time off and holiday schedule may differ.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Growth opportunities within the organization.

What This Job Offers

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