Address
Form of workJob Title: BREAKTHROUGH BEGINNERS: Early Head Start Lead Teacher
Reports to: Breakthrough Beginners Director
FLSA Code: Full time, Exempt
Location: FamilyPlex, 3219 W. Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
POSITION SUMMARY
Demonstrate the mission and vision of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. The Early Head Start Lead Teacher works in the BYN-Breakthrough Beginners and is primarily responsible to work with the staff and Director to plan and lead the day-to-day operations of a classroom for children 24–36 months.
The Early Head Start Teacher at Breakthrough is responsible for delivering comprehensive early childhood education services to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless educational experience for children. This position is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum. At all times, teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS
Reports to: Breakthrough Beginners Director
FLSA Code: Full time, Exempt
Location: FamilyPlex, 3219 W. Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
POSITION SUMMARY
Demonstrate the mission and vision of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. The Early Head Start Lead Teacher works in the BYN-Breakthrough Beginners and is primarily responsible to work with the staff and Director to plan and lead the day-to-day operations of a classroom for children 24–36 months.
The Early Head Start Teacher at Breakthrough is responsible for delivering comprehensive early childhood education services to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless educational experience for children. This position is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum. At all times, teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS
- Act in compliance with DCFS, City of Chicago, DFSS, and Head Start regulations and standards.
- Collaborates with teaching team to provide a classroom environment that is reflective of diverse races, cultures, and languages; adapts teaching in response to children’s differences.
- Prepares attendance records, lesson plans, meal preparation sheets, child development files, anecdotal and developmental observations of each child, maintaining confidentiality of family records and information.
- Documents children’s growth and development using written observations, photography and assessment tools.
- Utilizes developmental screening tools to determine individual needs of children and assists in individualizing the curriculum.
- Completes weekly team meetings to discuss lesson planning, reporting requirements, and the individual needs of children.
- Attends and engages in professional development opportunities, such as staff meetings, in-service trainings, and conferences. Participates in at least 20 hours of professional development annually.
- Collaboratively plans developmentally appropriate activities for small/large groups that address the needs identified in assessments. Activities must promote multiculturalism and aid in the development of critical-thinking skills.
- Assists center personnel in planning special events and other enrichment activities.
- Develops and builds positive relationships with parents/guardians by greeting them and communicating with them, as well as providing experiences that enhance their roles as their child’s primary influence in growth and development.
- Utilizes the assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultant and other professionals to assist and refer parents to community resources.
- Encourages parents to become involved in the classroom, as well as the Parent Committee and Policy Committee.
- Conducts and participates in home visits twice per year at the designated time.
- Demonstrates knowledge of DCFS, Head Start and Preschool for All standards and implements them in all aspects of work.
- Understands and adheres to CLASS, ITERS, Teaching Strategies, Creative Curriculum and other classroom tools.
- Conducts, documents, and does follow-up on daily child health checks.
- Participates in annual parent orientation/open house at least twice per year.
- Actively supervises and interacts with all students in their care at all times.
- Enjoys family-style mealtimes with students and encourages them to serve themselves and feed themselves independently.
- Changes diapers and pull-ups, as needed, and assists students in toileting.
- Participating in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
- Participating in supervision meetings and workshops within the center and outside (if applicable).
- Participating in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Breakthrough.
- Advancing parent leadership development.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED EDUCATION
- Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education with at least 6 credit hours in Infants/Toddlers. Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
- One (1) year previous direct early childhood classroom experience
- 1-2 Years related experience
- Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
- Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
- A passion for the mission of Breakthrough.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds (average child’s weight)
SUPERVISION
Does not supervise any employees. Direction received from the Director, Breakthrough Beginners.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a classroom setting, a public, multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, lift as well as have overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Equipment Used
Employee will use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, copier, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.
Safety Requirements
Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance.
A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, other employees or individuals served.
This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by the supervisor.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
