Job Details

Description

Position Title: Teacher, Head Start

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Center Director or Manager, Education & Inclusion

Division: U.S. Programs & Advocacy

All Save the Children employees are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 unless otherwise required by law. All new employees hired to Save the Children will be required to submit proof of vaccination as part of their onboarding process. Failure to provide proof of vaccination may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Save the Children complies with federal, state and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.

Summary

The Head Start Teacher develops and implements individual and group educational plans for infants and toddlers, designed to promote social-emotional, physical and cognitive growth in a manner appropriate to their stage of development. In each Head Start classroom, two Head Start Teachers work together to lead child development activities with support from Program Aides and Volunteers.

In collaboration with a Co-Teacher, you will be responsible for the general, day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom, verifying legal compliance with federal, state and local regulations. You will create and nurture strong partnerships with families and ensures that program quality is of the highest standards. The Teacher reports directly to the Center Director or Manager of Education & Inclusion.

As a frontline representative of Save the Children, the Head Start Teacher is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes in contact with, adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

As a Save the Children employee who comes into contact with children on a routine basis, you are expected to prevent child abuse in every situation by striving, through mental awareness, good practice and training, to minimize risk to children. You must take positive steps to protect children who may be a subject of concern and report and respond to any instance of child abuse and promote training and awareness around all child safeguarding obligations.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• In collaboration with a Co-Teacher, develop and implement individualized and group lesson plans and educational activities that promote all developmental areas to improve the readiness of children for preschool.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children including daily classroom activities and field trips.
• Select and set up equipment and materials in the classroom and ensure a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Practice responsive caregiving to promote relational learning and include individualized and small group activities that integrate appropriate routines into a flexible schedule of learning experiences.
• Plan and conduct conferences (minimum 2) and home visits (minimum of 2) or more often as needed to ensure parents/caregiver is well informed on their child’s progress of development and learning, routines, activities and behavior and assist parents in developing observational skills.
• Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated online systems.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Plan, conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings; maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child including weekly observations, examples of the child’s work and developmental assessments.
• Work with Program Aides and Volunteers to develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe.
• Eat with and assist children in eating during mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Ensure that the physical needs of children are met, assisting children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, diapering and toilet habits.
• Create ways to engage parents in the education of their children such as encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Create an inventory of all classroom equipment and supplies annually.
• Work in cooperation with Manager of Education & Inclusion to develop and document progress on professional development plan; actively engage in professional development activities to increase qualifications.
• Keep classroom clean and organized.
• Ensure the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind activities, goods and services.
• Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have been pick up by parent/legal guardian.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• At a minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high-quality services to children and families
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/ Head Start program.
• Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.
• Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.

Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.

This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job.  The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

Current and former Head Start/ Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.

Why you should join the Save the Children Team…

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.