Head Start Teacher

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois; Clinton (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan contribution

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois seeks a Head Start Teacher to oversee classroom staff, develop and implement curricula, and ensure compliance with Head Start and licensing standards.

The role emphasizes developmentally appropriate instruction, conscious classroom management, and collaboration with families to support school readiness. Requires an associate degree in ECE and related certifications; bachelor’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor’s preferred; minimum associate’s in early childhood education or related field per Head Start Act.
• Fingerprinting and background check per 89 ILL. Adm. Code 385.
• Must be 21+ years old and able to lift 50 pounds.
• CPR, First Aid, Food Protection Manager Certification, Mandated Reporter, and applicable site certifications.

Responsibilities

• Plan developmentally appropriate educational experiences aligned with Head Start Framework and Illinois standards.
• Use Conscious Discipline to interact with children.
• Implement Creative Curriculum with fidelity (instruction, assessment, screenings).
• Supervise education and bus staff; perform performance reviews.

Skills

Conscious Discipline

Student interaction

Classroom supervision

Teaching strategies

Education

Associate’s degree in ECE or related field

Bachelor’s preferred

DCFS Child Care Director qualifications

Tools

Creative Curriculum

Microsoft Word/SharePoint

Job description

Description

Position: Head Start Teacher

Supervisor: Manager on Point

Classification: Level III- Non-Exempt

+ Overview

The teacher is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of all classroom staff and development and implementation of classroom curriculum, instruction, screenings, and assessments. These components ensure compliance with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Head Start Program Performance and DCFS Licensing Standards.

+ Essential Job Functions

• Plan developmentally appropriate education experiences in accordance with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Illinois Early Learning Standards, and DCFS licensing Standards.
• Interact with children in a developmentally appropriate manner using Conscious Discipline techniques.
• Implement Creative Curriculum with fidelity, which includes instruction, assessment, and screenings
• Provide supervision of assigned education and bus staff which includes performance reviews and other human resources related tasks
• Complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences with each enrolled family.
• Maintain inventory of classroom supplies and equipment to request supplies
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date children’s files.
• Guide teacher assistant, bus driver, and/or classroom assistant(s) in creating lesson plans
• Maintain confidentiality of all information regarding children, families, and staff.
• Verify preparation of meals and snacks and implement family style meal service and holding staff accountable based on CACFP audit
• Modifications and accommodations must be implemented from documents related to instruction, physical, and/or health related plans, not limited to IEPS and IFSPs
• Attend all staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences according to Head Start Performance Standards and DCFS Licensing standards with at least 20 hours in-service training annually.
• Assist in recruitment of children as specified in the Recruitment Process
• Support families in the School Readiness and the Parent, Family and Community Engagement processes.
• Perform job duties as per timeline.
• Perform any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.

+ Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Preferred. Must have at minimum an Associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field in accordance with Section 645A(h)(1) of the Head Start Act. DCFS qualifications for Child Care Director is required.
• Successfully complete fingerprint and background check as required by 89 ILL. Adm. Code 385 Background Checks (Section 407.110)
• Must be at least 21 years of age and physically lift 50 pounds.
• Must complete CPR, First Aid, Food Protection Manager Certification, Mandated Reporter, and any other certification deemed necessary for site operations.
• Experience with Microsoft Application including SharePoint or similar collaboration software application.
• Illinois State ID and reliable transportation required with current insurance.
• This position requires you to drive an agency vehicle, therefore you will be subject to CAPCIL insurance reviews. If for some reason, you are unable to be insured by the agency's insurance, you will be unable to drive CAPCIL vehicles, which could result in termination.

+ Benefits

• Major Medical Plan. Community Action will pay a percentage of a monthly medical premium.
• Employee Term Life Insurance up to $30,000 depending on age, spousal coverage (up to age 70) for $10,000 and/or child coverage (up to age 26) for $10,000 per child.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Plan (Employer paid for the employee, employees can choose to add on dependents at their own expense.)
• 403-B Retirement plan (CAPCIL will match up to 3%)
• Paid Time Off/PTO (6.5 days at time of hire, an additional 6.5 days after the 90-day probationary period, prorated based on hire date and increases with continued employment)
• Sick Leave (accrues at the rate of 4 hours per pay period for Full-Time and 2 hours per pay period for Part Time)
• 18 Paid Holidays (Including your birthday)

+ Key Performance Indicators

Outcome

Performance Indicator

Measure and Tool

What does Good Look Like?

Raise attendance to at least 80% for children

Initiate Attendance Improvement Action Plan

Excel tracking sheet – AAP KPI List

90% of needed AAP’s initiated within 5 business days.

Maintain enrollment pool according to the yearly assigned application and waitlist goal

Complete applications to ensure goal is met as needed throughout the year

Application Summary Report in client database

45% Accepted at First Selection (April 1st)

75% Accepted at Second Selection (May 1st)

95% Accepted at Third Selection (June 15) or fully enrolled by August 1st

Collect adequate observation notes on each child for accurate assessment.

Weekly observation notes are collected on each child.

Documentation report in Teaching Strategies reviewed quarterly (Nov, Feb, May).

2 observation notes per child per week recorded in Teaching Strategies

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