Teacher – PIC

Pinal Gila Community Child Services•Maricopa, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher/PIC works directly in a classroom with children ages 3 to 5 and collaborates with the assistant teacher and other team members to operate a school-readiness classroom of 15–20 children. The role includes planning, monitoring, and implementing curriculum and working with families to support outcomes for children of all abilities within the Head Start Program. The teacher creates a safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate classroom; supports children’s health, learning, social-emotional development, and individual needs; and builds responsive relationships with children and families. The role also includes observation and individualized planning, incorporating IEP/IFSP goals, supporting children with differing abilities, recruiting families for program options, maintaining required confidentiality, and ensuring classroom compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Work is generally performed during regular business hours in a classroom/office setting and averages at least 40 hours per week. Hours may vary for special projects, deadlines, and other needs. The position may involve occasional exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials while rendering first aid, and seldom exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors, dust, mold, or poor ventilation.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education; or an associate degree in a related field with coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education and experience teaching preschool-age children; or a baccalaureate degree and admission to the Teach for America Program. Education must be from an accredited institution.
Must be at least 18 years old; a Person in Charge must be at least 21 years old under BCCL requirements.
Arizona driver’s license, proof of insurance, fingerprint card, Social Security card, CPR and First Aid credentials, and food-handler credentials if required; must provide a vehicle for program business.
Health questionnaire at hire, updated every three years.
Meet agency, state, and federal immunization requirements or have an approved exemption on file.
Intermediate to advanced computer, internet, and email skills.
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English.
Food Handler’s Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.
Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable BCCL licensing requirements.
Knowledge of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and its classroom implementation.
Knowledge of early childhood development theory and developmentally appropriate practice, including strategies for dual-language learners and children with disabilities or special needs.
Skill in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum across content areas.
Skill in observation, documentation, and individualized planning.
Strong oral and written communication skills and proficiency with virtual platforms.
Ability to use technology tools and classroom software effectively and accurately.
Ability to supervise preschool-age children safely and apply early childhood development theory to individual needs.
Ability to make significant decisions and solve problems, including responding appropriately to emergencies or crises.
Ability to build warm, positive, and responsive relationships with children and families while honoring each child’s individual and cultural identity.
Ability to interact respectfully with people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles, adapt positively to change, and pursue continuous learning.
Ability to understand the DCS reporting system and recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.
Able to meet the position’s physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation, including the listed sensory and movement requirements, lifting or moving objects up to 40 pounds, running 50 feet, and demonstrating exercises.

Nice To Haves

Two years of preschool classroom teaching experience with children ages 3–5.
Two years of Head Start preschool teaching experience.
Two years of adult supervisory experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Provide a safe environment and teach children safe practices to prevent and reduce injuries.
Teach children about good nutrition and practices that promote health and wellness.
Arrange the classroom and establish routines that reduce behavior issues while considering children’s developmental and individual needs.
Use positive interactions, physical space, materials, schedules, and routines to create a secure and engaging environment for learning, play, and exploration, including for children with disabilities and special needs.
Implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, materials, learning experiences, and teaching strategies to promote curiosity, reasoning, problem-solving, physical development, and cognitive skills.
Promote learning in language, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, social studies, and the arts.
Support children’s communication, emotional regulation, positive relationships, and cooperative participation with peers.
Support dual-language learners’ progress in understanding and speaking English and their home language.
Develop warm, positive, supportive, and responsive relationships with children and help them take pride in their individual and cultural identities.
Build positive and cooperative relationships with families, maintain two-way communication, encourage family involvement, and support each child’s relationship with their family.
Communicate and collaborate with staff, parents, and community members from culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
Use observation, documentation, and planning to support children’s development and individualize classroom planning.
Make decisions based on research-based early childhood practices and promote high-quality school-readiness services.
Assist children with differing abilities in daily routines, including diapering and feeding as needed.
Incorporate IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities.
Recruit families for all PGCCS options, including maintaining a waiting list.
Manage, monitor, and supervise the classroom to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
Maintain the confidentiality of children, families, and staff.
Use virtual platforms to facilitate communication and collaboration.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.