Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Teacher

Department: Project Eagle ----- Educare 3

Position Title: Early Head Start/Head Start Associate Teacher Job Family Group: Professional Staff

Job Description

Summary: Project Eagle is an early childhood program focused on preparing children, engaging families, and promoting excellence for children and families in Kansas City, Kansas. Project Eagle provides home-based and center-based services to pregnant women and/or children ages birth to five through a variety of programs, the largest being Early Head Start. Project Eagle is also a member of the Educare Learning Network, part of a national initiative that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. The Early Head Start/ Head Start Associate Teacher, in partnership with the Early Head Start/ Head Start Teacher is responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of a comprehensive education program. The Associate Teacher actively contributes to ensuring that the classroom activities and environment are developmentally appropriate, meet the individual needs of each child, and reflect the agency's philosophy and curriculum. Working closely with the Teacher, the Associate Teacher helps develop and implement individualized lesson plans for children (ages 6 weeks through 3 years or 3 years to 5 years), which encourage their social, emotional, physical, linguistic, and intellectual development in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. The teaching team (the Early Head Start/ Head Start Teacher, Early Head Start/ Head Start Associate Teacher and Early Head Start / Head Start Teacher Aide) provide a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment enriched by a high-quality early language experience and an emphasis on social and emotional growth. The Associate Teacher, in partnership with the Teacher, is responsible for implementing all program requirements in adherence to performance and outcome standards as prescribed by funding and model requirements.

Job Description

Job Duties High Quality Teaching Practices Ensure children safety by maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe classroom environment, by conducting authorized emergency and safety procedures, and actively supervising children at all times. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities and environment that intentionally support the developmental and educational goals of children’s individual education plans utilizing the High Scope Curriculum in conjunction with the co-teacher 1 and teacher aide. Support children to develop positive social relationships, provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success, and help children develop conflict resolution skills utilizing Conscious Discipline. Utilize the continuity of care model to support children and families to develop safe, secure attachments. Intensive Family Engagement Partner with families to build mutually respectful goal-oriented relationships that support strong parent-child relationships, family well-being, and ongoing learning and development for both parents and children. Interact with families through regular classroom contact and contribute to and participate in interdisciplinary meetings, child and family reviews, family conferences and home visits to develop individual child goals, share progress towards school readiness, and respond to their identified interests and/or needs. Provide monthly classroom family engagement activities based on the interests of the children and families. Data Utilization Ensure the timely completion of necessary paperwork including developmental assessments, lesson plans, parent information, incident/accident report, attendance, USDA meal counts, etc.) Observe, assess, and document each child’s skills, behavior, growth and development. Assess student needs and develop individualized learning opportunities for each child. Understand the referral process to Part B and Part C and alert interdisciplinary team when student screenings or assessments show areas of concern. Utilize classroom and school data to improve teaching practice, provide a high-quality early learning experience for children, and ensure school readiness. Ensure that all child files and portfolios are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained. Professional Development Collaborate with coworkers during team planning sessions and support of implementation of best practices in the classroom. Participate in ongoing professional development, coaching and reflective supervision activities and support the implementation of changes in classroom practice to promote high quality instruction. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to provide support for families with unique backgrounds and various needs. Other Follow all mandates of Head Start Regulations, state and local childcare licensing regulations, and Project Eagle/Educare of Kansas City's philosophy and curriculum. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Anticipated Starting Salary $ 23.00/hr. Work Environment Ability to move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations. Required Qualifications Education: Meet one of the following educational requirements: Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field Degree in an unrelated field with at least 9 early childhood credits and willingness to complete further education to complete a total of 30 Early Childhood education credits within 3 years. CDA or Early childhood certificate and 12 early childhood credits and 2 years experience and willingness to complete further education to complete an Associate degree within 3 years. This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.