Early Head Start Teacher

Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc.
Head Start / Early Head Start Program serves 888 children ages 6 weeks-5 years in eight counties in East TN: Blount, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, Sevier and Union.
Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities.
They have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing outdoors in a safe setting.
Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.
*All Douglas-Cherokee benefits eligible employees receive the following benefits:* * Up to 16 paid holidays per year * Earned sick leave and annual leave * Option to participate in State of Tennessee 401(k) savings plan *Full time employees (work an average of 30 or more hours/week) are eligible for the following benefits:* * Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System * Group Health Insurance partially paid by the agency with other insurance products available.
*DEPT/PROGRAM: Douglas Cherokee Head Start/Early Head Start* *REPORTS TO: Area Coordinator, Curriculum and Assessment Manager, and Head Start Director* *FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt* *JOB TITLE: Early Head Start Teacher* *SALARY GRADE: 12-CDA, AS Degree ($15.
12 per hour) /11-BA Degree ($18.
36 per hour)* *WORK SCHEDULE: 37.
5 hours per week, 12 months* *POSITION SUMMARY:* *This Teacher position is Monday thru Friday, within the hours of 7:00 AM-4:00 PM.
*Under the direction of the Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator, the teacher will ensure a developmentally appropriate environment for infants/toddlers; provide responsive, respectful, individualized care; perform activities and services to help meet the needs and operation standards for pregnant women, infants/toddlers, and their families in Education, Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement.
*DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:* * Write & use observational notes.
Work with parent(s), Family Service Workers, other Teachers, Caregivers, & others (i.
e.
, therapists) to develop a safe, healthy, & developmentally appropriate multi-age learning environment & Individualized Plans (IP) for 4 assigned infants/toddlers each week; use IP to carry out all routines & activities on a daily basis.
* Will work in the lead position in an infant/toddler multi-age classroom.
Must be physically, mentally, & emotionally capable of performing his/her duties satisfactorily.
* Maintain an open, friendly, & cooperative relationship with all staff, management, enrollees & their families; encourage positive & active involvement in the program; work to create one seamless program of services from pregnancy to 5 years of age.
* Respect parents as the first & foremost expert & educator of their child; promote parent-child bonding & nurture parent-child relationships.
* Communicate daily & in formal parent-teacher conferences in a respectful manner at all times; assist parents in conducting Parent Committee meetings; maintain positive communication with staff, parents & community participants regarding program activities & objectives; present self & represent program in a positive, professional manner at all times.
* Promote feelings of security & trust in pregnant women, infants/toddlers, & their families by being warm, supportive, & comforting, & by establishing strong/caring relationships.
* In cooperation/partnership with the Family Service Worker, provide home visiting & community-based services to expectant families; teach/follow prenatal & first year of life curriculum in the home & in the classroom to expectant & new infant families.
* Support & continue services as needed for families when miscarriages/deaths occur; seek help/support for yourself & other staff as needed.
* Schedule home-visit appointments with parents at times that are convenient for them & are the least intrusive on your time in the classroom; be on time for scheduled appointments & assist both parents & staff to do so as well.
Always confirm appointments at least 24 hours & no more than 48 hours in advance.
* Conduct or obtain documentation of recent developmental screening of each infants’/toddlers’ motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, & emotional skills.
* Engage in ongoing assessment using EHS chosen assessment tools.
* Create & maintain an organized, up-to-date, complete, & confidential file for each assigned pregnant woman, infant & toddler.
* Promote social/emotional development of children; maintain classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques; teach & model age appropriate positive guidance & discipline techniques to parents.
* Advance the physical & intellectual growth of infants/toddlers; teach & model age appropriate routines & activities for infants/toddlers to parents.
* Supervise & interact with children in all daily activities in the indoor & outdoor learning environment.
* Complete & submit reports on-time/as required; attend meetings & required training, disseminate information gained to other staff as needed.
* Promote & practice good health, hygiene, & sanitation practices in the classroom & with infants, toddlers, & their parents; wash hands at all assigned times, encourage others to do so, & assist infants/toddlers in doing so.
* Change diapers & toilet train according to EHS guidelines, following specific steps of process as assigned; teach/guide parents in sanitary & emotionally supportive diapering & toilet training process.
* Promote a teamwork atmosphere by both delegating (to the Caregiver, Aide, & Substitutes) & accepting tasks & providing in-classroom/on-the-job training for center staff/substitutes as needed.
* Responsible for cleaning/maintaining indoor & outdoor premises on a daily basis (i.
e.
sweep, mop, clean bathroom, empty waste containers, dispose of trash for pick-up); Pick up debris & other trash & keep area sanitary, neat, & attractive at all time.
* Ensure that a staff to child ratio of 1:4 is maintained at all times.
* Work with special needs children & their families in a non-discriminatory, supportive manner that includes learning about the specific needs of each child in your care (i.
e.
learning from the parent how to care for a child with disabilities, going to special trainings, attending therapy sessions, working with TEIS toward the goals outlined in the IFSP/IEP, etc.
).
* Following Individualized Plans, will help prepare food & feed each child when the child is hungry (on demand), giving the appropriate food(s) in the appropriate portions sizes & specific styles (i.
e.
food cut into bite sized pieces) for each child.
* Responsible for making bottles for your infants as needed, which includes safe/sanitary handling of breast milk & mixing of formula.
* Conduct self at all times as if a parent or administrator is watching; surveillance cameras are located in each classroom, on playground, & front & rear entrance to center.
* Promote continuity of care, to include focused care during transitions & looping (moving to classroom with children) with a positive attitude.
* Must document & keep current training hours in both a personal file (ex: at home) & a personnel file (by giving proper documentation of training such as copies of certificates, agendas, signed training log, etc.
to the Administrative Assistant at central office).
* Will assist as needed in other classrooms (within the 30 to 40 hr work week).
* Demonstrate work habits that comply with Agency Personnel Policies & Procedures; complete special assignments & assume other duties as assigned from the Education Coordinator, EHS Manager, & HS/ EHS Director.
* Welcome families to participate in their child’s learning activities in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom to support their child and the program.
* Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.
*WORK SITE: * (Initial) Early Head Start *SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: *None *OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:* * This job can change at any time for any reason.
* Must have the ability to physically assist children at all times.
* Comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Agency.
* Maintain confidentiality of family, child, and Agency information.
* Treat all people with respect and not discriminate in the provision of services or Agency business with regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
* Must complete First Aid and CPR training and keep updated.
* Must maintain documentation per licensing requirements.
* Must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license and available transportation for work-related duties with mileage reimbursed.
*ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:* *Education Requirements* * Degree in Early Childhood Education Preferred * CDA or degree related to ECE *Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities* * Must be able to work well with parents and staff, as well as infants and toddlers * Professionalism in regard to confidentiality is essential.
* Must have Infant/Toddler CDA credential and keep it up-to-date (if no ECE or related degree).
*WORKING CONDITIONS:* The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: * Must obtain a pre-employment physical and T.
B.
screen and every three years thereafter.
* Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
* Must have access to a reliable vehicle for job related duties.
* Must show proof (as necessary) of auto liability insurance.
* Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist them as needed.
* Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).
* Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.
* Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom.
Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.
* Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.
* Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.
* Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.
*Equal Opportunity Employer* *Application Deadline: *Applications accepted until the position is filled.
*To Apply: *Send application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814.
Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.
org.
Job Type: Full-time Pay: $15.
12 - $18.
36 per hour Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Health insurance * Paid time off * Professional development assistance * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Day shift * Monday to Friday * No nights * No weekends Work Location: In person