Salary: $14.50 - $20.00 per hour based in education and experience.
Job Summary: Responsible for providing children with a positive learning environment and varied experiences which will help them develop: socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development toward the overall goal of social competence and school readiness. Also, promotes and encourages parent participation in the Head Start program.
Essential Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty at a high level. Not all possible tasks are included. Other additional departmental duties maybe assigned by the Manager or Supervisor of the department.
· Plans, maintains and changes room arrangement for maximum utilization according to lesson plan themes with the implementation of all curricular mandates; CLASS (see CD checklist for lesson plan)
· Check and respond to emails daily.
· Clocking in/out at scheduled on NOVAtime.
· Meet all dead lines set in place.
· Ability to meet and maintain CLASS scores that coincide with performance rating categories for state and Head Start regulations;
· Makes and carries out written yearly and daily activity plans with Teacher II for group of children to provide developmentally appropriate educational experiences that utilize all program curriculum resources: i.e. Loving Guidance, Frog Street 2020 Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold – in the areas of art, music, language, dramatic play, science, construction, climbing, texture, gardening, social/emotional, language, cognitive, gross/fine motor, and HATCH
· Plans and utilizes all educational materials supplies, and equipment to provide child development and growth with regard to school readiness/ongoing observations and assessments (Frog Street 2020/TS Gold); shares information with parents;
· Eats meals with the children daily and encourages the development of good nutritional habits. Helps children learn about good healthy oral/hygiene habits: handwashing and tooth brushing, on a daily basis;
· Aids in the planning of parent meetings by staff members and encourages parent participation; obtains documentation for non-federal share derived from assigned area of responsibility;
· Supports, Teacher II and substitute teachers, providing ongoing guidance and feedback: works effectively with Teacher II and Substitute staff;
· Establishes a positive working relationship with parents, staff, and volunteers; assists supportive service staff;
· Reports facility concerns and helps to supervise all activities to insure the safety of the children;
· Supervise daily that a clean/sanitized, safe learning environment is maintained, indoors/outdoors, in order to meet all mandates; including insuring that toys and materials are sanitized properly, and are submerged in water and sanitizing solution. Properly store all cleaning/hazardous solutions/materials. Morning and evening inspections are conducted daily, before children arrive and after children dismiss;
· Assist supervisor to maintain all necessary records; remains updated on rules and regulations;
· Attends Parent Orientation, Family Literacy Night, and any other after-hours program event (if/when mandatory);
· Attends in-service and pre-service training programs: attends class to obtain teacher qualification mandates and/or CDA, and fulfills Parish, Head Start and Licensing requirements; inclusive of professional development plan goals – i.e. obtains/renews CDA within timeline; willing to participate in a coaching plan;
· Provides a safe, nurturing classroom environment for all children, and utilizes individual and small group teaching approaches, i.e. Group A/B, school readiness groups, etc. (see A, B, C):
A. Safe Supervision: indoors and outdoors – i.e., when lining up, follow child counting protocol: one teacher in the front and one teach in the back. Teacher go before children upon exiting/entering the classroom.
B. Zoning: teachers work in assigned zones to insure proper supervision of the children at all times; follow Child Safe Active Supervision…Protocol.
C. Review and sign Child Safe Active Supervision and Monitoring Routines Protocol.
· Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor; and
· Ensures absolute confidentiality with respect to information and records concerning children and staff.
Peripheral Duties
· Attends seminars and workshops related to Early Childhood Education, and monitors/completes approved Professional Development Plan requirement each school site.
· Site/Location assignment is subject to change based on the needs of the Program.
· Uses vehicle to transport meals or deliver paperwork when necessary.
NOTE: All parish government employees in a declared emergency shall be considered essential personnel
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
· High School Graduate or GED equivalent;
· An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood, with the ability to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood credential in order to meet Head Start Teacher Qualification mandates; formal experience with preschool children; degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education;
· Maintains and/or recertify for the Louisiana Academic Certification requirement from the Louisiana Department of Education; and obtain and maintain a Valid Louisiana Ancillary Certificate.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Knowledge of appropriate early childhood practices;
· Skillin operation of listed tools and equipment;
· Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, program participants and the general public; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to handle stressful situations; and ability to attend workshops; and
· Maintains all student data records.
Special Requirements
· A valid Louisiana Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one.
Tools and Equipment Used
· Personal computer including Microsoft Word/Perfect, iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro, copy machine, fax machine, laminating machine, telephone and automobile.
Physical Demands
· The physical demand described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stoop, sit on floor, lift, talk and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, run; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus- when in the classroom with controlled conditions and outdoors barring extreme weather conditions.
Selection Guidelines
· Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and criminal background clearance, and reference check; job related tests may be required.
EEOC Statement
Lafourche Parish Government is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.
