Position Overview

Manage general classroom operations in accordance with federal performance standards, state licensing rules and agency expectations; ensure children’s safety at all times; coach classroom assistants and volunteers; prepare and deliver lessons and perform activities with the children; provide for the physical, social, intellectual, emotional and cultural needs of each enrolled child, in partnership with parents; provide appropriate information and resources for families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities may include but not limited to the following:

• Develop a culturally-responsive, inclusive and developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework according to the individual needs of children as written in daily lesson plans.
• Ensures implementation of the designated curriculum, with strong fidelity, in alignment with the Agency’s School Readiness Goals.
• Responsible for the completion and submission of fun and educational lesson plans and finalization of preliminary checkpoint data.

• Actively participate in all planned professional development activities and Professional Learning Community meetings (PLC).
• Responsible for completion of corrective action plans stemming from any monitoring findings.

• Conduct agency screenings and assessments.
• Must acquire and maintain reliability in current assessment tool.
• Responsible for gathering and entering children’s assessment data and assigning preliminary levels in online assessment tool.
• Responsible for entering documentation in our data management software, ChildPlus, as required by the Agency.

• Ensure safety of the classroom and outdoor environment for children at all times, including such things as active supervision, appropriate hand washing for children and adults, and knowledge of emergency procedures.
• Implement positive redirection and behavior guidance.
• Carry out the required components of the daily routine.
• Instruct children in practices of personal hygiene and other self-help skills.
• Prepare and serve meals and snacks for children in a relaxed, family style dining experience.
• Ensures that the classroom environment meets the Agency’s expectations in regard to CLASS scores.
• Provide feedback to use for the on-going evaluation and training of staff and volunteers as necessary.

• Empower parents by enhancing parenting skills and parent/child relationships.
• Participate in family engagement events to actively support parent engagement in program implementation.
• Conduct a minimum of two Education Home Visits and two Family Conferences per program year per student.
• Involve parents in decisions about individual goal setting and culturally-responsive practices.

• Assist in recruitment, enrollment and orientation of Head Start families.

• Responsible for knowledge and use of current Agency processes, procedures and forms, upon completion of training.
• Understand and implement the tiered support model to identify and follow up on family needs.
• Display sensitivity in meeting the needs of a diverse population of children, families and staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No Supervisory Responsibilities.

Required Education and Experience

• A valid Michigan teaching certificate and an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement or;
• Minimum of an Associate Degree (Bachelor Degree preferred) with a stated major in ECE (Early Childhood Education) or (CD) Child Development
• Candidates hired with an Associate Degree meeting the above requirements must sign an agreement that they will obtain a Bachelor Degree in ECE/CD within 2 years of being hired, promoted or transferred into a half day classroom teacher position.
• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education.
• Must obtain CPR/First Aid within ninety days of hire. 

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Emotional Control
• Reliability
• Teamwork

Physical Requirement

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand or walk for prolonged periods. Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time in emergency situations. Must be able to kneel, sit, stand, crawl, push, and pull to assist and teach throughout the day. Prolonged periods of sitting and working on computer to complete necessary paperwork.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the agency.  Employees in this position must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform these job functions, please contact the Human Resources Department.

Required Education and Experience

• A valid Michigan teaching certificate and an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement or;
• Minimum of an Associate Degree (Bachelor Degree preferred) with a stated major in ECE (Early Childhood Education) or (CD) Child Development
• Candidates hired with an Associate Degree meeting the above requirements must sign an agreement that they will obtain a Bachelor Degree in ECE/CD within 2 years of being hired, promoted or transferred into a half day classroom teacher position.
• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education.
• Must obtain CPR/First Aid within ninety days of hire. 

About Head Start for Kent County

Every child deserves a good start. At Head Start for Kent County we help children from low-income families in Kent County, Michigan, get that start by providing comprehensive education programs and health services. We encourage intellectual, social and emotional growth by offering holistic, family-centered services in a supportive environment. Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer safe, consistent child development services for children from birth to age five.

Connections working at Head Start for Kent County