Early Childhood Connections

Teacher

Job Description

 
General Function:
Provides leadership to families, staff, and volunteers in helping to create and implement a quality early childhood program. 
 

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides an open, inviting, and safe learning environment.

• Establishes classroom staffing patterns that support child safety and meets the performance standards and requirements.
• Provides positive guidance to children, encouraging self-discipline and problem-solving.
• Implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on individual children’s strengths, needs, interests, and cultural background.

Works with families to create the educational curriculum through implementation of individual programs based on strengths, needs and interests using an on-going assessment.

• Ensures completion of assessments on each child and includes families in the process.
• Develops individualized program plans for each child.
• Conducts timely parent conferences.
• Participates in Home Visits with families as needed.
• Uses on-going assessment information to develop lesson plans.
• Record daily anecdotal observations of children and enter data into the online child assessment tool.

 Works jointly with families to help them develop quality life experiences.

• Encourages and develops activities which promote family involvement.
• Provides guidance and support at parent center meetings (family activity nights).

• Models skills which promote healthy environments for children.
• Networks families with agencies and each other.
• Promotes preventative wellness.

Provides competent center management.

• Carries out Performance Standards and established federal and local guidelines.
• Expends classroom funds to meet program goals.
• Notifies the Head Start office and school of absences as soon as possible and leaves adequate plans for substitutes.
• Takes care of school property and resource materials.

• Attends and participates in staff meetings (Head Start and school building, as appropriate).

Provides support, training and feedback for staff, families and volunteers.

• Trains and guides assistants and volunteers.
• Evaluates assistants and volunteers on a timely basis.

• Practices and encourages open communication.
• Promotes effective problem-solving and conflict resolution.

 Promotes and respects the Code of Ethical Conduct as set forth by the NAEYC.

• Maintains a professional manner and appearance at all times.
• Insures confidentiality.
• Participates in the development and implementation of a professional development plan.
• Adheres to a mandatory reporting policy for child abuse and neglect.

 Completes all other duties as assigned.

Scope of position:
Reports to the director.  Directly supervises a staff of 1 to 8 and provides leadership for volunteers.  Receives limited supervision with responsibilities defined by School District and Head Start Performance Standards.  Work assessment is primarily based on goal achievement and client satisfaction.  Position includes solving problems with staff and children.  It requires the ability to select and interpret appropriate guidelines and procedures.
 
This position is accountable for center budget adherence and ensuring integrity of Family Activity Fund.  Primary contacts are with staff and volunteers to supervise, train, coach and facilitate individual child development.  Typical contacts also include school district employees.  Ongoing professional development is an integral part of the position.
 
Knowledge, skills and technical ability:
Bachelor Degree with a teaching certificate in one of the following:
 

• Early Childhood Education (ECE)
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Elementary Education with a Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Family and Child Development with a certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

 
Willing to certify:

• CPR
• First Aid

 
Must pass prior to starting position:

• TB skin test
• Kansas Bureau of Investigation background check
• Physical Exam

 
Requires:

• Proficient communication skills including oral, written, and small group facilitation.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively lead and motivate staff, families, and volunteers.
• Advanced organizational and decision-making skills to concurrently teach and manage staff, children, parents, volunteers, and resources.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule and as a team player.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable means of transportation.

 
Working conditions:
Spends approximately 65% of the time in the classroom, facilitating learning experiences for children, supervising staff and volunteers; 30% in an office environment, planning and processing paperwork; and 5% off-site, which includes home visits.  Classroom conditions include a high noise level and fast paced schedule. Physical requirements include frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs; occasional lifting and moving of 50 lbs; bending, squatting, and kneeling occur frequently on a daily basis; and fine manipulation occurs frequently.
 
Salary:
Based on USD 489 Teacher Salary Schedule.

Our District’s Certified Salary Schedule has 12 categories, with salaries ranging from $42,700 to $64,350 based on education and experience.

•             Full District Paid Single Medical and Dental Coverage

•             Free Annual Eye Exams with Medical Coverage

•             Ancillary and Voluntary offerings include Vision Materials Coverage

•             District Paid Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life

•             Short Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Identify Theft Insurance

•             Flexible Spending options for Medical Expenses and Dependent Day Care

•             District contribution to Health Saving Account

•             District contribution to 403b retirement plan in addition to KPERS - State of Kansas Retirement

•             Paid Time Off

•             Seasonal Breaks, Weekends, Holidays Off

•             Tuition Assistance partnership with FHSU
 

Position Contact:
Donna Hudson-Hamilton
dhudson-hamilton@usd489.com
785-623-2430

Apply Online At:
https://www.applitrack.com/haysusd489/onlineapp/