Teacher

Pinal Gila Community Child Services•Florence, AZ

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher works directly in a classroom with children ages 3 to 5 and collaborates with an assistant teacher to support the operation of a school-readiness classroom serving 15–20 children. The Teacher works with team members to plan, monitor, and implement curriculum and partners with families to achieve outcomes for children of all abilities in the Head Start Program. The role provides a safe, supportive, and engaging classroom environment; implements developmentally appropriate curriculum; and supports children’s learning, health, relationships, communication, and development. The Teacher individualizes classroom planning using observation and documentation, incorporates IEP/IFSP goals, and supports children with differing abilities in daily routines. The position also involves family engagement, staff and community collaboration, classroom supervision and regulatory compliance, confidentiality, and use of virtual platforms and technology. Work is generally performed during regular business hours in a classroom/office setting and averages at least 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary for special projects, deadlines, and other concerns. There is minimal exposure to injury, with possible exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials when rendering first aid and infrequent exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors, dust, mold, and poor ventilation.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE); or an associate degree in a related field with coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE and experience teaching preschool-age children; or a bachelor's degree and admission to the Teach for America Program. Education must be from an accredited institution.
Must be at least 18 years old to serve as a Teacher.
A Person in Charge (PIC) 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 certification, and a vehicle for program business.
Food Handler's Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.
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 skills, including internet and email.
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English.
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 implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum across content areas, including language, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, social studies, and the arts.
Skill in observation, documentation, and individualized planning to support children's development.
Strong oral and written communication skills and proficiency using virtual platforms for communication and collaboration.
Ability to use technology tools and classroom software effectively and accurately, completing required tasks with minimal errors.
Ability to supervise preschool-age children safely and apply early childhood development theory to individual children's needs.
Ability to make frequent, significant decisions and solve problems, including responding appropriately to emergencies or crises.
Ability to build warm, positive, 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 demonstrate or understand the DCS reporting system and recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.
Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation: sensory abilities including specified vision capabilities, normal-range hearing (corrected), clear speech and directions, and the ability to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push, pull, move objects up to 40 pounds, run 50 feet, and demonstrate 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 address children's developmental and individual needs and reduce behavior issues.
Use positive interactions, physical space, materials, schedules, and routines to create a secure, engaging environment that promotes learning, play, and exploration for all children, including 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 children's learning in language, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, social studies, and the arts.
Use curriculum and strategies that support communication, emotional regulation, positive relationships, and cooperative participation with peers.
Support dual-language learners' progress in understanding and speaking English and their home language.
Build warm, positive, supportive, and responsive relationships with children and support their individual and cultural identities.
Establish cooperative relationships with families, communicate in both directions, encourage family involvement, and support children's relationships with their families.
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.
Apply 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 confidentiality of child, family, and staff information.
Use virtual platforms to facilitate communication and collaboration.
Collaborate with the assistant teacher and other team members to operate the classroom and plan, monitor, and implement content areas.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.