Early Head Start Teacher

JOB SUMMARY:

Fort Valley State University's Family and Consumer Sciences Department is seeking candidates for the Early Head Start Teacher position. The Early Head Start Teacher will provide a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for infants & toddlers while they are in the Early Head Start environment (classroom, outdoor play area, and field trips). The Early Head Start Teacher will be developing individual goals for children, provide on-going assessment on progress and facilitate transition into Head Start or other pre-school settings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet the needs of all children; including those who are at risk, those with special needs, those who are gifted, and those who are culturally diverse.
• Integrate all EHS components into classroom time.
• Develop and utilize daily plans, which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of EHS children.
• Individualize one-to-one and group activities to reflect the unique needs and strengths of all children in the classroom.
• Follow consistent routines, which include feeding, diapering and toileting, napping, planned small and large group experiences, choice time, activities such as music and movement, large and small motor activities, and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement.
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.
• Respond to crisis or emergency situations that may occur. Provide first aid or CPR, prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens, and access emergency services as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Infant & Child Development or related area; or an Associates' degree and two or more years of related experience. 
• Must successfully pass a drug screening and background check.

Preferred:

• Experience in working with children birth to three years of age.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications are desired.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be punctual and able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
• Must be able to work indoors as well as transition the classroom to outdoors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Be able to occasionally lift 40 pounds from waist to shoulder.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.