Teaching Practices
· Provide pre-school children with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy individualized environment and the varied experiences which help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development in relationship to the overall goal of social competency.
· Provide a balance between child-initiated and teacher-led activities.
· Provide a balance between quiet and active learning activities.
· Help children gain independence and autonomy in eating, toileting, dressing and hygiene through age appropriate and manageable tasks for children to practice and achieve competence.
· Provide technical assistance and supervision to Teacher Assistants and classroom volunteers to facilitate the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning activities.
· Ensure the integration of the educational aspects of the various Head Start components by developing opportunities and activities for children to learn about health, safety, nutrition, dental health, and families.
· Develop activities and strategies to engage parents in the educational aspect of the program in order to improve their understanding of child development and facilitate their role as the principal influence in their child's education and development.
Observation, Planning and Documentation
· Ensure individualized and quality educational programming by participating in:
· The screening and educational assessment of children.
· The use of diagnostic evaluations to develop long- and short-term goals for each child.
· The development and implementation of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
· The development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for children with special needs.
· Daily observations of children.
· Record keeping activities (e.g., keeping records of daily observations of children and of communication with parents).
· Team meetings.
· A minimum of two home visits per family per year.
· A minimum of three Parent/Teacher conferences per year.
· Periodic field trips.
· Serve as a mentor for teacher assistants enrolled in professional training.
Additional Duties & Tasks
· Attend meetings as necessary.
· Maintain the EEC requirements including staff to child ratios, classroom supervision, etc.
· Perform any other related duties or responsibilities contained in this job description, otherwise assigned or as required by state or federal laws.
· Report to the Program Director for all matters relating to terms of employment and center operations.
Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.