Early Head Start Lead Teacher

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position is responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally and culturally appropriate learning environment for infants, toddlers, and their families.  This position is responsible for implementing the early childhood education curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos).  This position is responsible for developing child, family, and health plans with parents and completing ongoing follow-up and tracking to reach those goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below.  Additional duties may be assigned.

Professional Development:

1. Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings.

1. Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices,, including IDEA & Part C/Early On.  
2. Works as a team member with all education staff, parents, and Parent Committee members to implement a meaningful curriculum that meets the individual goals of each child and program needs.
3. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and HIPAA.
4. Keep up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practices. 
5. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate social-emotional development of infants and toddlers.  
6. Train and support education staff.
7. Partner with parents in identifying opportunities to learn about the growth and development of their children.
8. Promote positive attachment between caregivers, children, and families. 
9. Model appropriate communication skills, guidance techniques, and developmentally appropriate practices. 
10. Continue professional growth by participating in training, ECE classes, etc. 

     12. Knowledge of The Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (ELAP) and other screening, assessment, and evaluation instruments.

Program Implementation:

1. Supervises all classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor activities.
2. Plans and implements the developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum (Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos) and experiences in a manner appropriate to the ages, languages, and cultures of children served.
3. Documents and provides Part C/Early On Service Coordination for children with special needs. Communicates Service Coordination efforts with the Education Coordinator. 
4. Implements education lesson plans and individualization for infants and toddlers in accordance with his/her needs, based on a method of observing and recording their interests and developmental progress.  The lesson plans provide learning experiences that support the parents' involvement as their child’s first teacher, along with supporting the children’s readiness for school using developmentally appropriate materials and activities.
5. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline, including the ability to support and guide students with challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate practices. 
6. Maintains a commitment to professionalism and continues own professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices.  
7. Participates in family-style mealtimes with the children as a curriculum activity to model good nutrition and proper social skills.  
8. Ensures a purposeful program responsive to the children's needs.
9. In cooperation with parent(s), observes screens, assesses, evaluates, monitors, and documents infants and toddlers' development, health, dental, and social-emotional health using ELAP and other child screenings, assessments, and evaluations adhering to the timelines outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices including IDEA & Part C/Early On.
10. Refers families to local service agencies when additional services/support is needed.
11. Documents and reports suspected instances of child abuse as required by law.
12. Know