PRIMARY TEACHER

JOB SUMMARY

This position will provide safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate Head Start services to infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers. Oversees comprehensive services to the child and family. Provide mentoring and coaching to classroom staff in collaboration with the Lead Teacher. May be assigned to ride the bus as a monitor.

JOB DUTIES

• Plans a schedule of daily activities through lesson planning, integrating child health and safety, early childhood development, child mental health, and family and community partnerships into the curriculum.
• Use a team approach to develop activities individualized to meet the child's needs.
• Develop classroom activities that reflect the specific cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the children, as well as individualize them based on needs.
• Maintains a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment.
• Involves parents in educational activities to enhance their role as the primary educators of their children.
• Updates emergency contact forms.
• Advises an appropriate supervisor of social service issues, health, and educational concerns.
• Attend staff meetings, family staffing, training, and other scheduled activities.
• Adheres to all State Childcare Licensing regulations.
• Participates in monthly fire drills, ensuring children, volunteers, and all classroom staff know appropriate drill procedures.
• Assists the Health & Nutrition Coordinator and Family Advocates with gathering pertinent information such as dental and medical follow-ups.
• Communicates with families, both written and oral, providing periodic informational flyers to parents.
• Cleans classroom every day, including putting supplies in proper places, and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and toys.
• Acts as a positive role model for children, especially about respecting the feelings and rights of others.
• Follows program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Participates in the recruitment of families to encourage enrollment of their child(ren) into the program(s).
• Develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with families served, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Maintain confidentiality of family records and information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of curriculum, various content areas, and learning styles is critical to making decisions related to educational planning.
• Ability to report to work on time.
• Skill in operating personal computers utilizing a variety of computer software.
• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, and ability to work effectively with Alaska Native populations.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meeting deadlines.
• Skills in oral and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and respectful working relationships with children, parents, supervisors, and other employees.

• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to effectively present instruction, and/or information to students, staff, parents, administrators, and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• To work with children ages zero to three (0 - 3), applicants must have a high school diploma and a CDA Credential or the equivalent.
• To work with children ages three to five (3 - 5), applicants must have a high school diploma, an Associate’s in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or the equivalent, and be actively working towards a bachelor's degree in ECE.
• Two (2) years of experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program.
• Three (3) references demonstrating positive experience working with or caring for children.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.
• Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in ECE.

Four (4) years of experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program