Head Start Lead Teacher

Nooksack Indian Tribe; Deming (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nooksack Indian Tribe is seeking a dedicated Early Childhood Education/Head Start professional to oversee and support individualized plans for children, implement Creative Curriculum, and conduct developmental screenings and assessments.

You will collaborate with families, supervise staff and volunteers, and coordinate with Education and Head Start teams to ensure program quality and compliance with standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Minimum experience in a preschool classroom-based setting; 1 year.
• Associate’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education (required).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education from an accredited college or university (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Participate in grantee and delegate component pre-service training.
• Implement Creative Curricula in the classroom; develop comprehensive weekly Lesson Plans.
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Supervise classroom staff, including Assistant Teachers and volunteers.
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including daily activities and field trips.
• Lead other staff and classroom groups to maintain smooth classroom functioning.
• Maintain portfolios and weekly observations using Teaching Strategies GOLD.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education

Job description

Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education/ Head Start Director, and direct supervisor of the Head Start Program Manager, assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing and implementing individual educational plans for children. Be familiar with and implement Creative Curriculum when planning and setting up classroom environment. Perform screenings and assessments using Teaching Strategies GOLD on all children on the required timeline. Interact with families on a daily basis. Solicit volunteers for participation in the program. Conduct home visits for the families in the classroom. Track individual child goals and develop individualized lesson plans and activities to support child development.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in grantee and delegate component pre-service training
• Implement Creative Curricula in the classroom; develop comprehensive weekly Lesson Plans
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices
• Supervise classroom staff, including Assistant Teachers and volunteers
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including; daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom
• Lead other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the classroom, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child using Teaching Strategies GOLD, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child’s work, and a developmental assessment, completed as per HOC procedure
• Use home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child’s individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations
• Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices
• Maintain an orderly, engaging and positive learning environment
• Meet bi-weekly with Education Manager to exchange information pertinent to the identification and services of children with disabilities
• Meet with the mental health department monthly to discuss mental health needs of children
• Guide children’s acquisition of social skills
• Attend staff training and meetings, and Policy Council and parent meetings as requested
• Works with Teachers, Teacher Assistant and volunteers to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials and supplies are properly maintained and stored
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe
• Supervise completion of the daily health and environment checklist
• Assist in implementing children’s I.E.P. (Individual Family Service Plan) seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood
• Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed
• Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g. lesson plans, time sheets, meal reports etc.
• Oversight:
• Review teachers’ lesson plans, schedules, room arrangements and portfolio assessments to assure their accordance with HOC requirements
• Deliver pre-service and monthly in-service training sessions to teaching staff
• Provide a minimum of two child development workshops to parents
• Identify and prioritize materials and equipment needed in classrooms and playgrounds, and coordinate with director in making purchases
• Lead responsibility for implementing Family Literacy Program
• Lead responsibility for parent involvement in education services as per HS requirements
• Coordinate the transition of children to Kindergarten, and/or child care programs
• Complete and work with Management to attain goals outlined in Professional Development Plan
• Assure that files are complete, accurate and confidentially maintained

OTHER DUTIES

Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

PREFERENCE

• Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following qualifications are requiredfor the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Minimum experience in a preschool classroom-based setting; 1 year
• Associate’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education from an accredited college or university (preferred.)

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment
• This position requires regular contact with or control over Indian Children and is therefore subject to an extensive Criminal Background Check at time of hire and periodically thereafter
• Must obtain TB Test, Immunizations current (Hepatitis B series, Covid-19, MMR, Tetanus, etc.)
• Must pass an initial health examination and pass a re-examination every two years

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire.)
• Food Handler’s Permit (First available training)
• Child abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training (First available training)
• Must complete fire extinguisher training annually

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job)

• The standard work week is 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday (occasionally may to work evenings)
• Be able to stand, walk, sit, twist, bend/stoop, squat/kneel, crawl, move quickly and reach on a daily basis.
• Be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision with or without corrective lenses, as well as peripheral vision and depth perception
• Willing and able to interact with children at their level (i.e. sitting on the floor)While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods and frequently required to talk and listen
• Sitting on floor or in small chairs while working with children
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator and telephone system
• Ability to lift up to 40+ pounds without assistance occasionally
• Busy classroom setting, daily work outside on playground
• Read, write, speak and understand English
• Ability to listen, understands clients, has the ability to translate rules, regulations and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems
• Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure
• May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions
• Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist and grip from assigned work areas

DESIRED SKILLS/KNKOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION

The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for the position:

• Ability to work in a Native American Community
• Ability to maintain health and safety standards
• Must adhere to the Confidentiality Policy and statement must be signed

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above. I further understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however the Tribe is an employer at-will, therefore, you may terminate the employment relationship at any time and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.