Head Start/PreK Teacher

Job Summary

Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students. Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved. Strives to implement, by instruction and action, the District's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.

Essential Functions

Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at times designated. Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets with the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students. Prepares for classes assigned, and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate superior. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students. Supervises students in order to protect the students from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the students mental and/or physical health and/or safety. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required. Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, District policy and administrative regulation. Diagnoses the learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of District specialists as required. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior. Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and/or volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with department heads, evaluates their job performance. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or a Bachelor's or advanced degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching pre-school aged children. Coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education includes but is not limited to the following:

1) Teaching credentials: licensure or certification by the state for Pre-K teachers recognized by the local school district or state education agency as qualifying teachers to teach pre-school children in that school district or state if the individual has at least 500 clock hours of experience in an early childhood setting teaching pre-school aged children. OR

2) Coursework: No less than 18 semester credits in courses that focus specifically on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science and children's literature. These courses may have been taken in various departments such as Education, Home Economics, Music, Art, Library Sciences, Physical Education and Recreation, Psychology, Family Studies, and others must specifically address young children.

3) Program: Admitted into the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach For America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach For America's professional staff.

 

Experience: Two (2) years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

 

Certifications & Licenses:  Completion of all state mandated courses for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten and State Childcare Training required including Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infants/Toddlers Course; AND:

Proof of successful completion of the following courses:

 

Certification in First Aid and CPR within six (6) months of the date assigned to this position; and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.