Lead Teacher - Head Start

Under direct supervision, will be responsible for planning, supervising, and implementing the education program in accordance with the policies, procedures, and philosophy of MAAC Head Start, and state and federal regulations as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                    The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Develop and implement lesson plans to involve the approved Creative Curriculum to encompass current program goals
• Utilize classroom materials and routines as resources to provide an environment conductive to learning and appropriate to the development levels, interests, and special talents of the child
• Develop and maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment
• Implement rules and practices that provide and foster discipline in the child
• Provide age appropriate activities to promote social, physical, cognitive, creative, and self-concepts of the child
• Provide a continuing interactive process between families and providers that lead to strengthen family identified goals
• Develop and implement methods to utilize classroom volunteers, classroom aides, and parent volunteers
• Maintain and update written records and reports in a timely manner
• Maintain an open friendly relationship with staff, volunteers and parents
• Conduct required Home Visits with primary caregiver
• Recognize individual child differences in growth, development, and needs and develop individualized plans
• Work with Head Start families on their identified needs, informing them of community resources, providing information and referrals, assisting in the scheduling of appointments and follow-up services
• Integrate other Head Start components into the curriculum                              
• Provide client transportation as needed
• Work on the “Individual Family Plan” with each family beginning at “Phase- In” and updating at least three times during school year
• Lift, carry, restrain children weighing 30-50 pounds as needed
• Ensure personalized special services are provided to special needs children (i.e., feeding, assistance with toileting, including diapering, cauterization, urine bags, physically carrying the child-specialized equipment training will be provided as needed)
• Mainstream special needs children into the classroom environment
• Meet with parent(s) of special needs children to discuss educational objectives and special needs services
• Perform related duties as assigned

           Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of early childhood education, child development, anti-bias education
• Knowledge of local educational and community resources, and their ability to be used in the classroom
• Knowledge of bilingual language acquisition   
• Knowledge of Head Start policies and procedures desirable.

          Ability to:

• Bilingual (English / Spanish) speaking, reading, and writing preferred.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION                                                                        

          Lead Teacher I:

• AA Degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and a minimum of 12 units in ECE and/or CD, including core units required. 
• One (1) year experience with children in a child care setting. 

          Lead Teacher II:

• BA Degree emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and a minimum of 12 units in ECE and/or CD, including core units required.
• One (1) year experience with children in a child care setting. 

         Lead Teacher I and Lead Teacher II additional requirements:

• Must have and maintain a State of California Child Development Teacher Level Permit or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential OR a current credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing teaching service in elementary school or a single subject credential in home economics. 
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
• Valid CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers certifications must be obtained within first two months (2) of employment and maintained throughout employment (paid, designated training available through MAAC). In the event employees do not attend the scheduled training, they must obtain the cards through outside resources and costs will not be reimbursed. The certifications must be obtained and maintained within prescribed timelines.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions
Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers
Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development
Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines
Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems
Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza*, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAAC’s insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.