Job Information
Mississippi Employer Teacher in Centreville, Mississippi
Description:
Position Purpose: To provide a plan to implement and integrate child development activities for assigned children in such a manner that contributes to their growth and development and in accordance with best practices for serving young children according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Essential Job Responsibilities
• Design and set up a classroom and learning centers based on curriculum, children's interests, needs, and best practices.
• Provide daily constant and continuous active supervision of children during all indoor, outdoor, and nap time activities.
• Develop and plan for the provision of developmentally appropriate activities for each assigned child based on each learning domain.
• Screen each assigned child according to the prescribed schedule using an agency-defined screening instrument in order to meet the 45-day compliance.
• Conduct anecdotal observations weekly during daily activities for each assigned child for development and learning.
• Assess each assigned child according to the prescribed schedule using an agency-defined assessment instrument.
• Develop bi-weekly Lesson plans as appropriate based on curriculum and children's interests.
• Develop Individualized Lesson plans as appropriate based on screening, assessment, and IEP (as needed) results within 5 working days of the screening and assessment results.
• Make referrals within five (5) working days after the child has failed 1st speech screening, 2nd failed ASQs, the ages and stages questionnaire, and/or social-emotional screenings.
• On a daily basis, record and report child attendance and absences to the assigned Family Community Worker.
• Implement Classroom Management strategies that provide positive redirection for expected behavior.
• Implement family-style meal service at each meal provided for children.
• Attends all required training and workshops, including but not limited to 15 hours of classroom-focused professional development and methods that comply with applicable state and local laws for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains a safe and healthy learning environment for children that is positive, developmentally appropriate, and experientially based.
• Regular and Predictable attendance is a requirement of the job.
• Directs any special needs problems to the appropriate manager/specialist/coordinator or supervisor.
• Plans and implements learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their understanding of the use of language, understanding and use of increasing complex and varied vocabulary, appreciation of books, understanding of early math and early science, problem-solving abilities and their approaches to learning.
• Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline.
• Share pertinent information with family services/case management staff to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual children and families.
• Supervises and eats nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity to model good nutrition and proper social skills.
Parent Involvement and Community Partnerships
• Conduct home visits for each assigned child at least twice per school year according to a predetermined schedule to collaborate and discuss the child's progress and needs for success toward meeting school readiness.
• Schedule at least two parent conferences per year to discuss the child's progress, updates, and needs of their child.
• Establishes positive and productive relationships with families, focusing on a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents of the children.
• Involves parents in the educational activities of the program:
- to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and
- to assist parents in increasing their knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in basic child development.
• Identifies and arranges for parents to participate as volunteers in the classroom and work as substitutes and other volunteer activities.
• Collect monthly in-kind records from parents participating and submit them to the local Head Start administrative office.
Health and Safety
• Conduct daily health and safety practices observations (e.g., covered outlets, sharp-edged objects removed, chemicals out of reach of children, cleaning of cots, etc.)
• Assist children with hand-washing practices and procedures during hygiene and restroom times to ensure compliance.
• Monitor each time children enter and exit the classroom to ensure no child is left alone.
• Child Development - Health
- Complete a Teacher Health and Mental Health Observation Form for each assigned child twice per school year according to scheduled months.
- Assist children with daily tooth-brushing practices and procedures to ensure compliance.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Contributes to the collection and editing processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This process is essential and contributes additional dollars, enhancing food delivery.
• Be knowledgeable about CACFP requirements regarding portions and components of each meal service.
• Conduct point-of-service meal documentation or assign responsible staff to count meals when children are seated and have been offered a credible meal by USDA standards for portions and components.
• Enter the point-of-service meal counts in appropriate forms or software the program uses to support claim reimbursement.
• Edit check twice CACFP records for accuracy and integrity before submitting them to the program office for additional edit checking.
Active Supervision Duties
• Understands and implements all required policies and procedures related to the active supervision of children at all times, including:
- Observation of environment evaluating that children have a place to play and can be observed and listened to at all times.
- Continuously scan & count for children under care and report accurate numbers when asked.
- Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action.
- Develop knowledge of the children under care to anticipate their behavior, perform wellness checks, be proactive, and avoid putting children in danger.
• Collaborates with the Bus Driver in teaching children the correct safety procedures for boarding and exiting a bus and the danger zones around the vehicle.
• Checks independently from the bus driver that the bus is empty at the end of each run and that all children are accounted for.
• Interacts with children throughout their time on the bus to extend and reinforce classroom learning.
• Ensuring that the indoor and outdoor equipment and facilities are clean and do not present any hazards.
• Ensure that classrooms and centers are equipped with safety supplies that are readily access