Early Head Start Teacher

About the Role

The Teacher is responsible to the Center Director for implementation, assessment,
planning, and directives and guidelines of Head Start Performance Standards, Alabama
Standards for Early Learning and Development and Alabama Department of Human
Resources standards, and Agency standards. The Teacher is responsible for directing all
volunteer activities in the classroom.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
* Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions.
* Plan and implement learning experiences that utilize assessment tools to
ensure effective curriculum implementation.
* Plan and implement daily classroom activities based on individual needs of
the child.
* Promote child progress for children with disabilities and dual language
learners
* Organize classroom space and maintain a safe, healthy, nurturing learning
environment, in the classroom and on the playground.
* Timely perform assessments utilizing instruments selected by the agency; and
timely observe and document daily observations and other progress records
using designated record-keeping systems.
¨ Utilize data from screening tools, assessments, behavioral observations, and
parental input to submit referrals, follow-up, and/or the development of an
Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individual Education Plan (IEP), or
Individual Service Plan (ISP) for children.
¨ Implement IFSPs, IEPs, and ISPs. Provide a variety of developmentally
appropriate opportunities for intellectual, socio-emotional, physical and
language development, as well as creative expression.
¨ Conduct and document home visits as required by agency standards and as
otherwise warranted.
¨ Conduct parent-teacher conferences as required and needed.
¨ Promote school readiness through age-appropriate learning experiences and
parental engagement.
¨ Engage children and families in appropriate transitional activities into,
throughout, and from the program.
¨ Engage children and family during mealtimes to promote learning, family
style eating and model healthy eating behavior.
¨ Participate in required and recommended professional development and
continuing education activities.
¨ Submit required reports, including, but not limited to, data required by the
program, the agency, regulators and funding sources in a timely manner.
¨ Obtain supporting documentation and report in-kind contributions in a timely
manner.
¨ Follow communicated directions and instructions regarding work assignments
and procedures.
¨ Follow all safety guidelines and maintain a safe working environment.
¨ Comply with all Head Start Performance Standards, and Head Start, DHR and
Agency guidelines, policies and procedures.
¨ Actively contribute to a positive teamwork environment.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform
each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the
knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Education and Experience:
*At minimum, possession of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or
comparable credential and have training or equivalent coursework in early
childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
*Experience working with infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children.
Preferred Education and Experience
*Possession of an associate degree or higher in child development or early
childhood education as well as training or coursework with a focus on infant and
toddler development.
*Possession of an associate degree or higher in a related field as well as training
or coursework with a focus on infant and toddler development.
*Experience utilizing and following a curriculum and developing and
implementing lesson plans.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
*Valid driver’s license.
*Liability insurance
*Child Abuse/Neglect Registry Clearance
*Alabama Bureau of Investigation/Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal
Background Clearance
*Medical/TB Skin Test Clearance
*Sex Offender Clearance
*Serviceable automobile, preferred.
Language Skills:
*Ability to communicate orally and in writing to diverse populations.
*Ability to effectively present information to children and families.
*Ability to read well and speak with a soothing voice.
*Ability to communicate in large and small group settings.
Mathematical Skills:
*Ability to compute simple math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
Reasoning Ability:
*Ability to analyze problems confronted by program participants.
*Ability to define problems and draw valid conclusions.
Other Skills and Abilities:
*Ability to input data and generate reports from computer data systems.
*Ability to work in a constant state of alertness.
*Regular and predictable attendance.
* Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff members and
program participants.
* Knowledge of CSP programs and services.
* Sensitivity to multi-racial and multi-cultural issues.
* Ability to develop working rapport quickly and easily.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be
met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential duties and responsibilities previously mentioned.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, bend
talk, hear and to safely lift and carry a child weighing up to thirty (30) pounds. The
employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The ability to write, read, listen
attentively and speak in a soothing voice is required of this employee. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include vision required to constantly observe children and to
operate a motor vehicle. Multiple demands from the children and other individuals are
frequently required of the employee. In accordance with the Alabama Department of
Human Resources Minimum Standards, an initial health examination (that includes
screening for tuberculosis) and a re-examination every four years will be required of this
position.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions
of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform
the essential functions.
The noise level is variable in the work environment. Work is performed indoors and
outdoors. The employee is expected to interact with the children at all times and use
positive methods of child guidance and not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or
physical abuse, or humiliation.
The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the American
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this
position. Additional duties may be assigned by the supervisor.