JOBTITLE: EHS T1                                                                 SALARY RANGE: 8


REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:                                                      WORK STATION:   Classroom  Education Manager
Professional Development Manager
Early Head Start Site Supervisor

SUPERVISES: Classroom staff

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring the fiscal, physical and operational aspects of a Head Start Center. This responsibility includes setting up classrooms and developing and implementing educational programs. Ensure that children and families receive the appropriate services for all components offered by Head Start.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible for direction of classroom activities, health, safety and well-being of the children during time in the Head Start program.
2. Assist in developing the overall curriculum.
3. Develop weekly lesson plans outlining daily classroom activities and individual plans to meet children's needs within the curriculum.
4. Help administer required health related screening to children, document results.
5. Administer developmental screening to each child, document results.
6. Assess each child’s on-going development and individualize for each child based on their strengths and weaknesses, document.
7. Observe each child on a regular schedule and document observations and document.
8. Refer any children with suspected problems.
9. Responsible for the facilities, equipment and consumable supplies used in the center.
10. Maintaining a clean, sanitary and comfortable classroom environment.
11. Perform teaching tasks as directed by supervisor and as outlined in curriculum.
12. Responsible for home visits for each family and child to assist with understanding the goals of the Head Start program and the parent role in the development of their child.
13. Stimulate parent involvement in classroom activities, utilize parents as volunteers in the center and assist Parent Committees in organizing and conducting programs.
14. Prepare and submit necessary agency and Head Start reports as assigned.
15. Maintain the confidentiality requirements of the program.
16. Relate the Head Start purpose and goals to parents, staff and the general community and undertake other public information activities as assigned.
17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Head Start staff and other human services staff in the community.
18. Advise Supervisor concerning the needs of Head Start children and parents, and programming necessary to meet those needs.
19. Participate in Head Start training and career development activities appropriate to maintain a high degree of professionalism in work with children and parents.
20. Be current with professional resources to increase knowledge of early childhood education.
21. Attend pre-service and in-service training.

22. Participate in college credit courses leading to completion of BS degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field.
23. Work cooperatively with the administrative staff and other agency personnel.
24. Ensure that children are properly fastened in the child safety restraint system.
25. Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program’s first and last contact of the day.
26. Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
27. Emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. System is utilized for Head Start business only.
28. Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
29. Plan the most efficient route, in cooperation with other center staff, taking weather conditions into consideration, and make all designated stops unless otherwise advised by Center Staff.
30. Assist with recruiting age eligible children.
31. Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
32. Never leave a child unattended at any time.
33. Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Possess an AA degree in the area of child development, early childhood education or a related field.
2. Must have 8 credit hours in early childhood education courses if degree is not in a related field
3. Possess an Infant/Toddler CDA
4. Knowledge and experience in early childhood development, teaching methods and practices, as required by performance standards.
5. Ability to relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
6. Ability to supervise classroom staff.
7. Ability to develop and implement effective structural classroom experiences based upon the Head Start curriculum and individual children's needs.
8. Knowledge of all social and health resources in the community and ability to make effective referrals to such resources.
9. Ability to work effectively with other Head Start staff and local community agencies and individuals.
10. Knowledge of the purpose, goals and objectives of the Head Start program.
11. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
12. Ability to conduct oneself in a manner projecting a positive image to the children, parents, staff, program, agency and community.
13. Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
14. Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.