Teacher Lead/Center Director

Position Title: Head Start Teacher Lead

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Program Director

Division: U.S. Programs, Head Start

Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a Head Start and/or Early Head Start center with more than one classroom assuring regulatory and legal compliance with federal, state and local regulations, communicating with parents and the community and supervision and monitoring of staff. Receives content area supervision, training and technical assistance from content area managers/specialists/coordinators. You would be responsible overseeing and providing educational, relational and social experiences for preschool children to foster growth and development in all developmental domains.

As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that you come in contact with and adhere to the agency's values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

As a Save the Children employee who will come into contact with children on a routine basis, you are expected to prevent child abuse in every situation by striving, through mental awareness, good practice and training to minimize risk to children. You must take positive steps to protect children who may be a subject of concern and report, respond to any instance of child abuse, and promote training and awareness around all child-safeguarding obligations.

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

* Plans and implements classroom activities based on the individual needs of the children and according to the appropriate level of the child.

* Provides a balanced program of open learning and structured activities.

* Ensure that the child development, disabilities, curriculum, and performance standards are strictly adhered to in all programs.

* Maintains classroom discipline using developmentally appropriate techniques.

* Promote best practices in early childhood development based on Head Start Performance Standards, Creative Curriculum, and other prescribed curriculum used at Save the Children Head Start.

* Provides for constant supervision of all children during all activities indoors and outdoors; provides a safe environment by setting up a protective classroom and outdoor play area.

* Plans for and equips indoor and outdoor areas to meet children's developmental and safety needs in accordance with budget.

* Assist Education Manager with the transition of Head Start children at your center.

* Participate in an individualized continuing education plan including CPR and First Aid.

* Conducts and documents home visits, conducts parent-teacher conferences as needed or required and plans family activities and encourages family involvement.

* Maintains documentation as required by agency.

* Participate on school readiness committee.

* Travel as needed throughout Save the Head Start areas.

* Arrange family fairs, events, and activities for the center.

* Responsible for monthly safety checks, fire drills as well as updating of any safety logs.

* Investigates any child or staff incidents, assuring all forms are complete and notifying the appropriate supervisor.

* Attend IEP meetings as needed or requested.

* Receives and refer to verbal and written complaints to Family/Community Partnership Manager about the center while supporting the Parent/Community Complaint procedure at the center level.

* Develops and facilitates a positive community presence in the community, focusing on networking opportunities, enhancement of volunteer participation and educational awareness efforts in regard to program needs.

* Responsible for monitoring and compliance with applicable local, state and federal rules, regulations and standards as well as with any state and federal contracts, health, safety and licensing regulations.

* Maintains strict confidentially with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

* Submits verbal and /or written reports to immediate supervisor or Head Start Director on the activities and status of the center on a regular basis and management team meeting's.

* Monitor's employee on-site file requirements and keep them secure in locked files.

* Will assist Family/Community Partnership Manager making sure all of the children's files have correct/organized content and security.

* Contributes to the collection and edit processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This process is important and contributes additional dollars which in turn enhances food delivery

* Becomes thoroughly familiar with and follows the STC Head Start handbook, human resources policies and procedures, and operations manual.

* Serves as co-chair of the School Readiness Team supporting the chair of the committee.

* Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.

* Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.

* Supervises the Assistant Teacher and other employees in the center and provides guidance as needed

* Develop and maintain positive supportive relationships with child development staff.

* Work with Early Childhood Education Team to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs.

* Develop individual mentor coaching plans, with specific goals and area for growth identified which are based on classroom and teacher observations.

* Support staff in ensuring that required screenings, assessments and overall individualization is occurring in classrooms.

* Provide constructive feedback and support to teaching staff for learning and growth. This may include but not limited to activities, reading material, or other resources as needed to guide learning.

* Train new teaching staff and maintain support as needed while they gain knowledge of their role and the responsibilities of their position.

* Plan and present small group workshops on relevant child development topics based on program monitoring outcomes

* Arranges substitutes for center.

* Models and exercises supervisory authority to support other employees in the execution of work duties in a manner consistent with STC Head Start standards for compliance with all applicable laws , rules and regulations, including STC Head Start policies and procedures reflecting best practices.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in early childhood development or related field plus at least four (4) years of relevant experience working with preschool children in a classroom setting.

* Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with Assistant Teacher, other staff and community partners in the provision of high quality services to children and families.

* Proven successful experience in the supervision of staff

* Demonstrated ability and attention to detail in the completion of necessary administrative duties (i.e. documentation, emails, and meeting administrative deadlines

* Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program.

* Demonstrated ability to follow directions and take initiative.

* Proven ability and demonstrated understanding of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of all family information

* Demonstrated ability to work successfully with children with disabilities.

* Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, including children, families, staff, and the community.

* Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

* Must adhere to state administrative requirements

Physical Requirements related to essential functions:

* Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing

such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.

* Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.

* This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

* Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages helpful.

Why you should join the Save the Children Head Start Team...

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more. Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in YOU!

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children - every day and in times of crisis - transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our work for children and their families requires that we commit-at every opportunity-to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form-in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children's policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.