Preschool Teacher

Job description

Description
Greater Norwalk Head Start / Early Learning Program seeks full-time Early Childhood Education Teacher.
This position serves as the Lead Teacher in a classroom of 16 to 20 Head Start / Preschool (3–5-year-old) children. The position is responsible for the planning and implementing of classroom and related activities for preschool children. This position is the indirect supervisor of an Assistant Teacher and a Classroom Aid (CDA Specialist). This position is chiefly responsible for the following core functions of the Head Start program and performs other tasks as needed:
Summary:
• Planning (20%)
• Program Implementation (50%)
• Family Partnerships (10%)
• Communication and Service Coordination (5%)
• Record Keeping and Recording (5%)
• Ongoing Monitoring and Self-Assessment (5%)
• Supervision and Human Resources (5%)

Essential Job Responsibilities:
Planning
• Ensure the written curriculum includes:

• goals for children’s development and learning;
• the experiences through which children will achieve these goals;
• what staff and parents can do to help children achieve these goals;
• the materials needed to support the implementation of the curriculum towards achieving the stated goals

• Responsible for the preparation of daily lesson plans. Post them for parents, volunteers and visitors in the classroom
• Develop an individual plan for each child including goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established child outcomes

Program Implementation
• Follow program curriculum providing developmentally and linguistically appropriate experiences appropriate to age, language and culture of children served
• Implement active learning experiences advancing the intellectual and emotional competence of children
• Provide a print rich environment in which children develop literacy, numeric and social skills using increasingly complex language and problem solving abilities
• Provide positive guidance and discipline supporting children as they acquire readiness skills for kindergarten and beyond
• Implement daily lesson plans in response to children’s needs and interests incorporating observations, anecdotal record keeping, knowledge of early childhood development and the key experiences
• Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with disabilities
• Provide children with a consistent classroom routine
• Provide supervision and ensure the safety and security of children at all times in accordance with Head Start and day care licensing requirements
• Supervise and eat nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity, to model good nutrition, proper social skills, and family style meal service
• Supervise all classroom field trips and outdoor activities
• Understand regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination

Head Start Employee Expectations
• Uphold shared values of the program
• Give and receive constructive feedback
• Cooperate with co-workers, providing assistance, information or other support as it is needed to ensure quality service to children and families and to build and maintain positive staff relationships
• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities
• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment
• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being hones and ethical, following through on commitment
• Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development and mange performance by taking responsibility for one’s own performance, setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress and addressing performance issues promptly
• Attend local state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally
• Exhibit flexibility by showing an openness to different and new ways of doing things, and changing strategy when an initial strategy is unsuccessful
• Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it
• Respect the time constraints of your co-workers by showing up to meetings promptly, attending school daily, and giving advance notice if for any reason you are unable to carry out your responsibilities

Benefits:
Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including paid-holidays, paid-time off, health, dental, vision coverage and a retirement program.
$1,000 sign on bonus currently being offered.
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Requirements
Successful candidates must possess:
• AA in Early Childhood Education (minimum)
• BA preferred with at least twelve credits in early childhood
• BA in another field with applicable work experience may be considered.
• Ability to pass an OEC background check and fingerprinting screening.
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Competitive compensation, plus comprehensive fringe benefits package including health care coverage and retirement program. Send resume and letter of interest.

Health Requirements:
• Recent fit for duty examination.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Closing Date: open until Filled
Equal Opportunity Employer