Head Start Teacher

Independence School District; Independence (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence School District is seeking an Early Education Teacher for the Head Start program in Independence, MO. The role focuses on planning and directing instruction in a preschool classroom, ensuring alignment with approved curricula and developmentally appropriate practices.

The candidate should hold an Early Childhood Teaching Credential or higher, with experience in early education and a commitment to family engagement and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Must hold an appropriate Early Childhood teaching credential or higher.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and assist children with mobility.
• Experience meeting district curriculum and documentation requirements.
• Respect for diversity and inclusive practices in a preschool setting.
• Willingness to complete required safety and health trainings.

Responsibilities

• Provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate instruction in preschool.
• Follow approved curriculum with lesson planning and documentation.
• Plan developmentally appropriate activities and assessments.
• Maintain safe, engaging environments for students and staff.
• Coordinate family outreach including two home visits and two conferences per year.
• Ensure health, safety, and compliance with district policies.

Skills

Early childhood teaching experience

Student safety awareness

Eye-level communication

Education

Early Childhood Teacher Certification

Early Childhood Special Education Certification

Four-year degree in child development

Associates degree with 18 hours in Early Childhood

In school toward four-year degree with 18 hours

Job description

EARLY EDUCATION TEACHER - Early Head Start/Head Start

Quali?cations:

• Early Childhood Teacher Certi?cation; or
• Early Childhood Special Education Certi?cation; or
• A four-year degree in child development or related ?eld; or
• Associates degree with 18 hours in Early Childhood or related coursework; or
• In school working towards a four-year degree or an Associates degree that will have 18 hours in Early Childhood or related coursework.
• Must lift, carry, and hold children up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stoop, crawl, kneel, and bend in order to speak to children at the child's eye level, to play with children, and to pick up toys and equipment from the ?oor
• Two or more years of experience in teaching children in the early education ?eld preferred

Fair Labor Standards Act Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

Building Principal

Job Goal:

To effectively supervise, plan, coordinate, and direct instruction in the preschool classroom.

Performance Responsibilities

• Provide a nurturing and appropriate learning environment for children in the early education program
• Maintain orderly physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children
• Responsible for providing instructional direction using approved curriculum, lesson planning, documentation, and goal setting for children in the classroom
• Responsible for becoming knowledgeable in utilizing technology to support instruction
• Responsible for lesson plans and providing developmentally appropriate experiences that encourage diversity and recognize individual differences, regardless of special abilities, talents, ethnic heritage, culture, or language
• Responsible for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with support staff and key building personnel
• Maintain visual and auditory awareness of children at all times to ensure their safety in the classroom and on the playground
• Know and use appropriate, positive guidance and discipline techniques throughout daily routines and as children transition from one activity to another
• Organize and implement authentic, on-going student assessment, to include anecdotal notes, running records, checklists, portfolio items, etc.
• Make a minimum of two home visits and two parent conferences per year
• Complete required paperwork and maintain in an organized fashion
• Follow Federal, State, local, and district requirements to safeguard the health and safety of children in the program
• Participate in making and following a professional development plan to be updated annually
• Follow district policies and procedures
• Maintain client con?dentiality according to established policy
• Attend all required meetings, including designated evening meetings
• Submit an initial physical examination upon hire and then every two (2) years following
• Submit an initial tuberculin screening upon hire
• Complete CPR training
• Have the ability to be ?exible in working alternative hours on nontraditional program days
• Complete other duties as de?ned and assigned

Terms Of Employment

The Early Education Teacher will be employed for a nine (9) or twelve (12) month position. The salary and the work year will be established annually by the Board of Education.

Required Testing:

Post offer employment medical physical exam and essential functions test (EFT) required.

Work Environment/conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors with minimal temperature variations and under conditions with risk of injury and /or illness. The employee may also occasionally work with cleaning chemicals. The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally can be loud. Generally, the job requires 5% sitting, 50% standing, and 45% walking.

Physical Demands

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and ?ngers, and talk and hear.
• The employee is frequently required to bend at the neck.
• The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, reach, bend, crouch or crawl, squat, stoop, and kneel.
• The employee must frequently lift, carry and/or hold, push, or move up to 50 pounds.

Evaluation:

Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Principal using the Early Education Teacher Evaluation.