Teacher - Grants Pass High School

PURPOSE:

The classroom Teacher develops strong nurturing relationships with children and provides them with a developmentally appropriate learning environment with meaningful experiences in preparation for a successful kindergarten experience. This position develops quality partnerships with encouragement of family engagement in their child’s learning. The Teacher is committed to improve his/her own competence through ongoing academic and practical training. This position is responsible for meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

I. CHILD EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM

A. Work directly with children individually, in small and large groups.

· Provide for their safety, guidance, and educational development;

· Plan and conduct educational program that best characterizes developmentally appropriate practice in the Early Childhood Education field;

· Individualize children’s education program;

· Use the assessment information to individualize the curriculum to build on each child’s prior knowledge and experiences and to provide curriculum experience that support learning and development;

· Be knowledgeable regarding the Child Guidance Procedure and its implementation;

· Assist all center classroom staff with implementation of PBIS strategies;

· Be responsible for the development of guidance plans and support implementation and monitor those plans for all identified children in the center;

· Collaborate and support the development, implementation, and monitoring of guidance plans for all identified children in the center;

· Be familiar with and oversee the implementation of the Curriculum Guidelines.

B. Apply for all children principles of diversity, equity and racial justice. Applies, to the extent possible, principles of least restrictive environment for children with disabilities.

II. OBSERVATIONS, SCREENING & RECORD KEEPING

A. Conduct developmental screening and assessments for assigned children.

· Complete and submit within the required deadlines.

B. Take accurate, objective and complete observations daily on assigned children.

· Enter observation data into the data management systems in a timely manner.

C. Maintain accurate and timely written and electronic records.

· Complete data entry of records in required data base systems within required timeframes/deadlines.

III. PARENT PARTNERSHIP/FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

A. Develop partnerships with parents in regards to their child/children.

· Conduct and document home visit/family conference which are designed to strengthen parent engagement. Incorporate this information into child assessment and curriculum planning;

· Participate in parent activities, i.e., parent meeting, family days, etc.;

· Provide brief informal training at parent meetings as required.

IV. COMMUNICATION AND DEBRIEFINGS

A. Communication and debriefing with staff at center and in classroom.

· Attend and participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and training;

· Conduct/Facilitate weekly Education Planning meetings;

· Facilitate open communication and promote group problem solving;

· Participate in daily classroom team debriefing;

· Participate in bi-weekly child staffing meetings with the Family Advocate and others, as required.

B. Represent the Head Start program as a member of management modeling a positive approach to our mission.

C. Bilingual Teacher - Facilitate interpretation of data in all forms and provide accurate information to the children and their families requiring interpreting assistance.

V. STAFF EDUCATION

A. Participate in regular training and technical assistance activities with the Education Department.

· Actively seek to maintain and increase competencies;

· Serve as on-site educational resource for all classroom staff.

B. Represent Center Education staff on various Agency committees and projects, as assigned.

VI. INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND CO-WORKERS

A. Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers.

B. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children.

VII. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

A. Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment.

B. Follow safety regulations, policies, and procedures.

C. Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace and environment.

D. Maintenance of center facilities, equipment and materials.

VIII. OTHER DUTIES

May be assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of general responsibilities for this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that may need to be performed by the employee fulfilling this position. This job description describes the general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties which may be required.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Education: AAS in Early Childhood Education (ECE) required. BA/BS in ECE or Child Development preferred. May qualify for a Region X waiver with a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a Step 8 in the Oregon Registry Pathway and enrollment in an accredited degree program. Requires a minimum of 15 hours of professional development per year.

Certification or Accreditation: TS Gold Inter-Rater Reliability required; Enrollment in the Oregon Registry Pathways required; CPR/First Aid Certification and Food Handler Certification required (certifications may be obtained after hire).

Experience: Minimum one year teaching young children age birth to 8 years required; preschool age specific preferred. Direct staff supervision responsibilities preferred.

Essential Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and computer proficiency. Ability to apply the understanding of developmentally appropriate activities of children; meet and promote the social-emotional, physical and cognitive development needs of children. Ability to provide and model best practice in ECE and to facilitate team development. Leadership, staff training and supervision abilities.

Bilingual Teacher must possess language proficiency to facilitate interpretation of data in all forms and the ability to provide accurate information to children, families and the public who require interpreting assistance.

Essential Mental Abilities: Must be organized, flexible and resolution oriented. Ability to multi-task, make sound judgments and demonstrate appropriate role modeling. Ability to maintain full and complete attention to children at all times. Ability to work as a team member and to be self-directed.

Essential Physical Requirements: Ability to lift/carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 feet. Ability to push/pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 yards. Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting for up to 8 hours per day. Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at frequency required. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children. Ability to perform physical requirements of bus driver and/or monitor duties: Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards: Unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, work with personal computer and other office equipment. Driving and riding in motor vehicles and school buses. Working conditions include indoor/outdoor environments, preschool center classrooms, playgrounds, offices, frequent local travel and occasional out-of-town travel.

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON:

Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Valid Oregon Driver License

Proof of current personal automobile insurance in accordance with agency policy

Three (3) years DMV court print driving record

Approval to drive from Agency insurance carrier - requires at least 21 years of age

Reports to: Site Manager