Northern Arizona Council of Governments

Job Description

Teacher

Division:                Head Start

Reports To:           Center Director

FLSA Status:        Exempt

Salary:                    A-61

SUMMARY

The Teacher works directly with children in the classroom and assists the Center Director in developing appropriate Early Childhood Education programs that meet the developmental needs of all children and their families.  Works under the supervision of the Center Director and performs his/her duties in the absence of the Director, as assigned. Assists with record-keeping responsibilities and in facilitating parent participation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Responsible for classroom operations, including developing developmentally appropriate plans including IEP and developmental assessment goals, staff and child interaction, room arrangement, classroom environment, setting goals and objectives, conducting on-going observation and assessments, safety, facilitates family style meals, plans classroom activities and behavior management.

·         Supervises assigned Teacher Aide, parent and community volunteer, interns, Special Needs TA, in all activities.

·         Evaluates staff performance and progress.  In conjunction with the Center Director, develops and implements staff improvement plans, monitors plans, and evaluates progress, provides training and mentoring, staffing for vacancies/absences.

·         Coordinates and/or administers screenings of children, including: audio, vision, height, weight, anemia, IEP, mental health, developmental as needed; and documents and conducts follow-up to social service and other referrals.

·         Daily communication with families. Assists with parent meetings and assists other staff in working with parents.

·         Conducts parent/teacher conferences a minimum of two (2) times per year per child.  Ensures that parents are kept informed about their child’s progress.

·         Coordinates and carries out a minimum of two (2) home visits per year per child.

·         Disseminates all Head Start operational directives and other information as directed by Supervisor, to center staff and parents.

·         Assists with the Community Needs Assessment and program proposal process.

·         Helps to identify family needs and develops family action plans.

·         Assists with the ongoing recruitment and enrollment of eligible children for the program.

·         Serves as a liaison to parents and local community leaders, organizations, and institutions.

·         Aids in the development and follow through of successful public school transition planning.

·         Assists in the inventory control and requisitioning of all program materials.

·         Implements family style meal services and nutritional activities for children and their families.

·         Implements CACFP program and adheres to the guidelines for meal service.

·         Assists special needs children in the implementation of IEP activities and in their daily routine, which may include diapering, feeding, etc.

·         Completes reports as assigned by supervisor, with accuracy and timeliness.

·         Maintains strict child and family confidentiality.

·         Sets personal development goals and actively pursues their attainment

·         Assist with supervision of children on bus as a bus monitor where applicable.

·         Participated in family staffing and conducts associated follow up activities as required.

·         Works in conjunction with family service staff to identify family need and to develop family action plans.

·         High tolerance for paperwork, documentation and meeting district and federal deadlines extremely desirable.

·         Performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises other assigned Teacher Aides and Special Needs Teacher Aides.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees;  planning, assigning, and directing work;  appraising performance; mentoring and counseling; rewarding and disciplining employees;  addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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.

Education and/or Experience

Experience and training equivalent to an Associate of Arts Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field with 18 hours of ECE and student teaching.  Experience in a preschool program.  Must meet all Arizona Health Services Department health and licensing regulations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and ability to implement it in the classroom.

Ability to work with families, children, and staff.  Interpersonal skills, including creativity and flexibility.  Computer skills and/or knowledge.  Knowledge of supervisory practices and principles.  Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written format. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with people of varied social, cultural, and educational backgrounds.  Must be bondable.

Bilingual proficiency and/or experience working in a multicultural setting and Head Start classroom experience, preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.   Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates and Licenses 

Current, valid Arizona Driver’s License.  DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card, CPR and First Aide.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand;  walk;  use hands to finger, handle, or feel;  reach with hands and arms;  stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;  and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.