Head Teacher (Head Start Preschool) / Site Sub Director

Under the direction of the  Head Start Regional Manager, has responsibility for the daily oversight of center operations in absence of the manager, including assurance of compliance with minimum standards and standards established to assure a high-quality program. This position also has oversight of facility management.

1. Personal qualifications as required in Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities; and
2. Meet regularly with manager and directors to exchange information pertinent to the identification and services of children with site operations;
3. Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored;
4. Assist in conducting regular health and environment checklist.

Classroom Time / School Readiness

1. Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.
2. Establish a positive classroom climate.
3. Guide the behavior of children in positive, effective ways.
4. Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
5. Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice-making; ask open-ended questions and follow-up questions to promote further learning and thinking.
6. Promote English language acquisition of children who are English- and Dual-Language learners.
7. Release children only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.

Individualization, Curriculum and Assessment

1. Follow agency-adopted curricula, using effective strategies to guide learning.
2. Prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.
3. Assess individual and group needs, attending to specific interests, strengths and concerns.
4. Work with appropriate agencies to develop specialized planning for children and families as needed.
5. Coordinate with support staff when indicated, developing a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom.
6. Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in their individualized family service plans (IFSP).
7. Develop and utilize integrated curriculum plans which reflect mandated elements and components, familial and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children.
8. Establish weekly goals that promote individual and group educational plans and include other Head start components.
9. Participate in integrated service meetings to plan for and delivery collaborative services across all components.
10. Complete required screenings within 45 days of child’s first day in program.

Family Engagement and Community Partnerships

1. Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement.
2. Support the role of families as the first and primary teachers of their children.
3. Support families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals and aspirations.
4. Complete family partnership agreements and all other required screenings with families in a timely manner.
5. Maintain regular communication with families based on family’s individual needs.
6. Conduct the required parent/teacher conferences and home visits for the purpose of assessment and support, and to share information on classroom progress and educational strategies at school and at home. Provide additional home visits if needed.
7. Help plan and participate in family activity events.
8. Coordinate with the Family Support Coordinator (FSC) as needed to assist families to complete follow-ups (i.e. dental, medical, physical and mental health needs of families, etc.)
9. Coordinate with the Early Childhood Education Coordinator (ECEC) and FSC to provide families with timely information and referrals appropriate to their needs.
10. Monitor and document attendance concerns.
11. Provide learning opportunities for dual-language in the home.

Documentation

1. Utilize agency adopted tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.
2. Ensure all federal, local, state and/or agency documentation is completed accurately.
3. Document all family contacts and home visits.
4. Monitor and report child abuse.
5. Assures that all center-level documentation and reports are complete, up-to-date, and accurate

Professional Development

1. Attend and participate in training and appropriate professional development activities.
2. Attend and participate in meetings.
3. Engage in ongoing self-assessment about job performance.

Additional Job Responsibilities

1. Assist with breaks, food service and bus monitoring as needed for the model and other classroom needs as requested.
2. Work with other staff to ensure general maintenance and security of facility.
3. Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
4. Assume Substitute Site Director role as requested.
5. Other duties as requested.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start’s policy on confidentiality

1. Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities, and adapt to the individual needs of children.
2. Significant decision and problem solving abilities.
3. Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, families and community resources.
4. Ability to maintain respectful relations and communication with staff, families, children and community.
5. Ability to supervise preschool children and ensure a safe environment.
6. Ability to respond to events happening at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips, including school bus. This includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need redirection or restraint in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment. (80-100%)
7. Ability to interact with children at their eye level, ie. sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending. (80-100%)
8. Lifting up to 50 lbs. (10%)
9. Driving for home visits, sometimes in outlying areas. (5%)

1. Educational requirements: Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre K) or a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre K) or a “Related” Bachelor’s Degree or higher that includes coursework equivalent to a major, 300 hrs instruction (30 qtr or 20 sem credits) in Early Childhood Education, with minimum one year experience in management or supervisor role. Transcripts are required to validate educational requirements.
2. Related Degree holders must have Pre-K classroom (ages 3-5) experience, one year minimum is preferred.  Experience should include the ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.
3. Staff hired after November 7, 2016: within 18 months of hire at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. (agency paid training available).
4. Complete and maintain annual training hour requirements.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
6. Intermediate to advanced computer skills, word processing, internet and e-mail.
7. Must have a valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of insurance and must provide own vehicle for home visits.
8. Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified and have a current Food Handler’s Card.
9. Health Appraisal Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated annually.
10. At time of hire must be currently enrolled in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry and must renew every two years.
11. Knowledge or familiarity with Head Start. Understanding of the current state of the art in early childhood education, child health, mental health, and familiarity with the fields of disabilities services and parent involvement. Familiarity with community resources. Knowledge of day care licensing standards as well as standards of other regulatory bodies preferred. Effective, supportive supervisory skills, including the ability to assist personnel in developing self-direction. Sound understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, cultural diversity, and inclusion.
12. Be authorized, able, and available to correct a deficiency that might be an immediate threat to children’s health or safety, and
13. Have on file documentation of an orientation and training in these administrative rules and the functions and duties of a manager.

• Part Year or Full Year (with layoff weeks) Bargaining Unit/Non Exempt.
• All positions are informed by the Bargaining Unit Handbook and the Bargaining Unit Contract.
• Job responsibilities may vary depending upon program model, site needs and locations.
• Supervised by Regional Manager

Are you able to perform all duties stated in this job description?     Yes      No

Signature

Date

Policy Council approved February 2016.
This job description was created 2016.

Updated: August 2021. July 2024 (updated sections: individualizing; family engagement; minimum requirements). December 2024 (title changed to HS Preschool)

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.
Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Are you able to perform all of the duties stated in the job description?

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