Teacher

North East Kingdom Community Action•Newport, VT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Teachers in the Head Start department create and maintain a respectful, safe, inclusive classroom culture that supports productive learning and school readiness for children ages 3–5. In partnership with families, teaching staff, and program supports, teachers develop and implement developmentally appropriate, child-initiated, culturally integrated curriculum centered on social-emotional learning. The role includes classroom instruction and care, child observation and assessment, family engagement, documentation, and coordination with program staff and community providers. Teachers follow Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont child-care licensing regulations, NAEYC standards, and NEKCA policies. The position is part-year and full-time, with in-person attendance during scheduled hours. It is an exempt, bargaining-unit position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with coursework in Early Childhood Education.
At least two years of relevant experience.
Valid driver’s license and access to dependable transportation.
Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification within six months of employment.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively as a team member.
Commitment to ongoing professional development.
Ability to meet the position’s working conditions, with reasonable accommodations available as described.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain a safe, inclusive learning environment using appropriate behavior-management strategies.
Engage with children in all settings, observing them and extending their learning through conversation.
Attend to children’s personal care needs and maintain accurate, current files for assigned children.
Participate in Head Start/Early Head Start applications, registration activities, screenings, and collection of children’s heights and weights as requested.
Complete developmental screening within 45 days of a child entering the program and use the results in planning, classroom setup, and home visits.
Complete and update Family Mealtime Patterns forms within the required timeframes.
Develop and implement classroom curriculum with age-appropriate activities and organized learning areas that reflect children’s and families’ needs, interests, cultures, home languages, and assessment information.
Solicit and incorporate parent or guardian input into curriculum and provide individualized activities for at least three focus children each week.
Complete observations supporting Teaching Strategies Gold objectives and dimensions three times per year.
Complete family conference forms and offer two parent/guardian-teacher conferences and two home visits per year.
Review behavioral and play-based screenings and child health summaries with parents or guardians as required.
Document child development, health, disability services, follow-up, family partnerships, and ongoing communication with parents or guardians.
Participate in the development and implementation of Individual Health Plans as requested.
Work with families, the Center Manager, and Content Area Managers to initiate and document referrals; participate in team meetings, evaluations, and individualized planning with families and community providers.
Assist in implementing Individual Education Plans for children with special needs.
Promote regular attendance and document reasons for absences in each child’s file.
Participate in program and family/child staffings; consult with appropriate Content Area Managers and consultants, document consultations, and complete follow-up.
Ensure Creative Curriculum’s “Letters to Parents” are included in the newsletter.
Analyze child-outcomes data and develop action plans two or three times per year, depending on program schedule.
Participate in EHS playgroup observation planning and documentation when applicable.
Participate in developing and implementing the Center Recruitment Plan and in collecting and documenting non-federal share with the center team.
Participate in at least one early-childhood community event per year as requested by the supervisor.
Keep equipment, toys, and furniture safely and orderly stored and sanitized according to child-care licensing regulations.
Attend and participate in staff, agency, and service-provider meetings needed for job performance.
Complete NEKCA performance evaluations, a professional-development self-assessment, and an individualized professional-development plan in partnership with the supervisor.
Recognize indicators of child abuse and neglect and comply with Vermont mandated-reporter law and the program Child Protection Protocol.
Attend center staff meetings, monthly content-area meetings, preservice sessions, and in-services, and apply relevant learning in practice.
Work effectively as a team member, maintain confidentiality, and communicate effectively in writing and orally.
Demonstrate NEKCA’s core values, support diversity, equity, and inclusion, uphold ethical standards, protect participant safety and confidentiality, and engage in self-reflection and self-care.
Represent NEKCA publicly and advocate for its mission.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation to meet job requirements.
Obtain CPR and First Aid certification within six months of employment.
Attend in person during scheduled hours as defined by the supervisor.