Teacher I, Head Start

Want to make a difference in a child’s life? Our agency provides employees with a positive work environment and the ability to balance work & home along with excellent benefits. Our benefit package includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 11 paid holiday's and a fully vested retirement plan with an up to 5% match.

Position is temporary position starting out between $20.00 - $22.50 per hour. Position is located in Santa Maria at the Westgate Head Early Head Start Center.

Teachers work in partnership with the team teacher to develop weekly lesson plans for preschool children, develops and maintains a safe and positive classroom climate, and an intentional learning environment; screens and assesses each child using appropriate screening/assessment tools; individualizes the educational plans for each child based on ongoing developmental assessments. Engages parents of various cultural backgrounds in their Childs education. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  Other duties may be assigned.

• When in the teacher/child ratio, maintains 100% supervision of all children, by sight and sound at all times.
• Plans high quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiences with the team teacher.  
• Carries out a bilingual, multicultural, anti-bias curriculum designed to meet children’s developmental needs within program guidelines.
• Develops positive relationships with each child and parent.
• Maintains an indoor and outdoor classroom environment consistent with Head Start/Child Development, Licensing and Agency standards.
• Maintains the confidentiality of records and information of enrolled families.
• Assists children with self-care needs such as tooth brushing, diapering, toileting, hand washing and wiping noses.
• Maintains a physically safe environment and clean well-organized equipment and learning materials indoors and out.
• Attends and contributes to regular staff meetings and curriculum planning meetings.
• Plans monthly/weekly curriculum with team teacher that scaffolds children’s development.
• Works on a regular basis with the team teacher to plan and evaluate individualization of the curriculum and behavior plans if applicable.
• Is responsible for large group three times a week and a small group (primary language) daily.
• Plans and carries out transition activities for children who are entering or leaving the class/center.
• Maintains narrative records on each child related to their development.
• Completes required paper and electronic records in a timely manner.
• Assumes responsibility for maintenance of required assessments and screenings.
• Attends IEP (Individual Education Plan) meetings for special needs children with consultants, school district personnel and parents as required.
• Attends parent meetings upon request.
• Provides daily on-going communication with parents regarding children’s activities, development, and special needs.
• Makes at least 2 home visits, and two parent conferences with each assigned child's family annually.  Makes special efforts to include fathers.
• Participates with supervisors and managers in the evaluation and ongoing improvement of the program’s effectiveness.
• Carry out responsibilities of staff supervision, licensing requirements and overall center operations when the Site Supervisor is away from the center.
• Consistently uses positive child guidance methods.
• Must be available for pre-arranged evening or weekend home visits, meetings, or special events to meet the needs of working families.
• Is aware of all center’s children with food allergies, and ensures they receive the doctor recommended substitutions.
• Is sensitive to children with special needs.
• Functions as a positive team member.  Communicates effectively with families and co-workers.
• Performs other comparable related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill & Ability Required:

Level I: 12 units in Early Childhood Education/Child Development in core course or hold Associate Teacher permit or Child Development Associate permit. Six (6) infant and toddler units completed or be enrolled in at time of hire for Early Head Start Center.

Computer Skills: To perform this position successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Obtain and maintain a current Child Development Permit for position held. Must obtain and maintain a Pediatric First Aid and CPR card.  

Other Skills and Abilities: Experience working with children with disabilities desirable; Bilingual preferred.

CommUnify, EOE