Preschool Teacher - Head Start

Join our Head Start team! The Head Start Teacher works with children to promote their growth in the areas of social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.

This position has multiple openings available. ** Now offering a $1,500 hiring incentive bonus for new Preschool Teachers hired!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Head Start Teacher works in partnership with Teacher Assistants and Classroom Aides to promote the growth of preschool children in the areas of social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development. Involves families in every aspect of their child's education, including facilitating parent involvement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED; and
• Associate Teacher: Pre-School Certificate or CDA, and enrollment in an Early Childhood Degree program.
• Teacher I: Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours of Early Learning coursework.
• Teacher II: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours of Early Learning coursework.
• Two years of experience in early childhood programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Driver qualifications are not required for this position.
• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.
• CPR/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• Food Handlers Card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy and empathy when communicating with clients, staff and community partners.
• Demonstrated proficiencies with Microsoft Office (including Outlook), videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, in both oral and written form.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Classroom

• Ensures safety in the classroom at all times, with active supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure. Ensures children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults.
• Records children's daily attendance, working with site team to determine the cause of absences.
• Provides for the development of children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional and language skills through implementation of curriculum, lesson planning and individualization.
• Conducts developmental and social-emotional screenings for each child, with input from parents. Provides follow up to concerns, including the provision of resources, or referrals for children with identified developmental or social-emotional needs.
• Provides a safe environment for children/groups of children during classroom time utilizing Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) strategies and Trauma Smart concepts. Maintains an acceptable and positive level of guidance in individual and group situations reacting to emergency situations with competence and a calm attitude.
• Partners with Education and Inclusion & Support staff, families, and Willamette Education Services district staff to ensure the full participation of children receiving Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education Services.
• Utilizes strategies provided by Education and Inclusion & Support staff regarding the social-emotional needs or mental health concerns of children.
• Conducts and records child observations to utilize in setting goals,