Head Start Preschool Teacher; ST. Thomas & St. John)(reposted

DEFINITION

The Head Start Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing a variety of materials and activities to ensure a comprehensive early childhood program which will enhance the growth and development of individual children in the preschool centers. This includes providing special activities for children with special needs and assuming responsibility for the daily operation of the preschool center. Work is reviewed by the Education Manager or Supervisor for adherence to established Head Start policies, objectives and programs for teaching and learning.

• Plans and carries out a program of daily activities which will foster the physical, intellectual, social, psychological, and emotional development of the children, and will help build ethic and cultural pride.
• Manages the on-going assessment of each child.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and healthy environment which is compatible with children's developmental needs.
• Supervises and coordinates classroom staff, volunteers, and parent activities.
• Makes home visits and conducts teacher/parent activities.
• Processes the timely completion of all required reports, assessments, and or correspondences.
• Provides indoor large motor activities during inclement weather.
• Provides materials and opportunities for the development of small motor skills: i.e.: help during snack and lunch, wood working, hitting, zipping, and typing.
• Organizes classroom into well-defined learning areas.
• Maintains attractive, reasonable clean room.
• Handles the requisitioning, care of materials, supplies and equipment.
• Stores materials in an orderly, accessible, and inviting manner to children.
• Provides an arrange of materials from simple to complex, to concrete, to abstract which provide a variety of learning materials.
• Provides consistent yet flexible daily routine.
• Writes daily lesson plans using goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• A Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education.
• OR An Associate of Arts degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education.

• Knowledge of good early childhood principles, practices and policies.
• Skill in writing, oral and interpersonal communication.
• Ability to deal with children in a patient and understanding manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, children, and parents.
• Ability to respect and help others respect individual and cultural differences.
• Ability to maintain personal and professional growth.
• Ability to read and write clearly, and to complete objective assessments.
• Assist and encourage children with climbing, skipping, hopping, throwing, jumping, and stretching, etc.
• Ability to use sound judgement in solving problems.
• Ability to remove hazardous debris and broken equipment.
• Ability to work with disabled children.

Work is supervised by the Education Manager or Supervisor for adherence to established Head Start policies, objectives and programs for teaching and learning.

Guidelines includes the Performance Standards of the Head Start Program.

Work requires advanced judgment and ingenuity to plan and perform complex work which involves new or changing conditions. It involves strategic planning to carry out Head Start policies, objectives and programs for teaching and learning, and making decisions that involve a great deal of responsibility.

The purpose of work is to provide the instruction of each student supporting and performing routine work activities.

Contacts are with students, fellow employees, supervisors, administrators, and parents/guardians.

Contacts are made to obtain, clarify or give facts or information to aid in accomplishing daily tasks and long-term objectives for students and the Head Start Program.

Work requires intermittent standing, sitting, bending, and walking for extended periods of time, and lifting, pushing, and pulling up to seventy (70) pounds.

Work is performed in a typical office environment.