United Spinal Association Jobs

Location: Salisbury, NC, 28144

Department: Head Start

Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Center Director

Schedule: FT / 10 month position

Position Summary: Lead Teachers are responsible for providing a successful, safe, and supervised educational setting for children enrolled in SRCAA Head Start/Early Head Start programs. The Lead Teacher actively promotes school readiness and sets appropriate goals that address the five essential domains (social-emotional, cognitive, language/literacy, perceptual motor and physical development, and approaches to learning). This position also develops individual learning goals and provides ongoing assessment of the developmental process in order to facilitate the transition into kindergarten. This position also encourages parent/family/community engagement in all aspect of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide supervision, guidance and support to teacher, related to classroom responsibilities.
• Develops and implements a developmentally appropriate, multi-cultural curriculum for children.
• Works cooperatively with support staff (Center Director) in the provision of direct services and the development of goals for children with disabilities.
• Performs duties in accordance with CLASS and School Readiness goals and requirements.
• Participates in team planning of curriculum with teacher, using and encouraging appropriate input from parents;
• Implements federal, state, and local health and safety policies and procedures; NC Day Care regulations.
• Ensure the learning environment supports the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
• Responsible for planning and implementing plans for individual children, small, and large groups, with input from Teacher.
• Supervises children at all times by providing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Develop and utilize integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of the children enrolled.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small/large group experiences, choice time, music/movement, large/small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and ask open-ended questions, provide quality feedback and listen respectfully.
• Directs classroom activities and maintains discipline in an appropriate manner.
• Encourages all children to participate fully in activities at all levels of interest and ability.
• Supports the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Prepare classroom materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans; create and change learning centers as needed
• Support the development of relationships between children and their families
• Oversees maintenance, upkeep, inventory of classroom supplies, materials and equipment
• Responsible for conducting two home visits and two parent/teacher conferences annually for each child enrolled.
• Responsible for working in the Extended Day Care Program as assigned by the Center Director.
• Assumes the responsibilities of teachers and/or other Lead Teacher in their absence, as assigned.
• Responsible for utilizing volunteers, substitutes, or other staff members in the absence of bus monitor, nutrition assistant or custodian.
• Willingness and ability to assist and support center operations as deemed necessary by program management.

Daily Responsibilities:

• Maintaining daily attendance record of children
• Conducting morning health check
• Completing anecdotal notes
• Performing playground checks
• Providing a stimulating learning environment with age-appropriate activities and materials based on best pract ces.

Weekly Responsibilities:

• Meeting with Teacher to complete lesson plans
• Attending center meetings

Monthly Responsibilities:

• Completing Statistical reports
• Contributing to and compiling center newsletter
• Completing Work Sampling Portfolio

Quarterly Responsibilities:

• Completing the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment online
• Completing child outcomes

Parent and Community Engagement:

1. Conducts home visits and parent/teacher conferences as required by Head Start performance standards;
2. Supervises and trains parents, staff, and volunteers;
3. Participates in workshops, meetings, community events, etc. (e.g. partner meetings, conferences, etc.) for the purpose of receiving and/or presenting information.
4. Serves as an advocate for children, families, and communities.
5. Responsible for attending parent functions as deemed necessary and encouraging parent involvement

Compliance and Reporting:

1. Responsible for maintaining compliance by adhering to Agency Policy and Procedures, Administration for Children and Families, Performance Standards, North Carolina Day Care rules and regulations.
2. Completes and maintains all necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Head Start performance standards.
3. Establish and monitor services that ensure program quality and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
4. Responsible for reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (*whether witnessed or made aware of) to immediate supervisor (Center Director) and/or Head Start/EHS Director within one hour of activity.
5. Responsible for maintaining training hours as directed by the Division of Child Development and Day Care Licensing requirements through Agency pre-service and in service, workshops, conferences, etc. (as applicable to position).
6. Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide quality, seamless customer service.

Environmental Health and Safety:

1. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of a safe, clean, healthy and productive work environment.
2. Responsible for adhering to NC Sanitation regulation (i.e. floors cleaned, trash cans covered, bathrooms cleaned, water temperature maintained, rugs vacuumed, toys and equipment sanitized)
3. Responsible for ensuring that staff/child ratio is maintained and that adequate supervision takes place in the learning environment and while on the playground.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate procedure for mixing sanitation solution (*If applicable)
5. Responsible for ensuring playground safety checks are conducted daily
6. Demonstrate knowledge of center safety requirements (tornado, fire drills, fire extinguisher inspection, and fire inspections).
7. Responsible for securing and maintaining an emergency preparedness plan
8. Responsible to ensure the following star rated license, current sanitation certification and fire drill record are posted in a common area in the center.

Professional and Ethical Standard:

Assist in maintaining staff/child ratio at all times.

Responsible for reporting potential abuse and neglect according to the Head Start/Early Start Policies and Procedures.

Responsible for adhering to professional development plan including renewal of annual credentials (*which are required for continued employment in this position).