Child Start·Missoula, Montana
The teacher is responsible for providing instruction and supervision in a safe, healthy learning environment for children aged 3-5 years. They must plan and implement curriculum, conduct assessments, and collaborate with families and staff to meet the educational and social needs of the children.
Reports To: Education Managers
Exempt Position: No
The teacher is responsible for providing instruction and supervision in a safe healthy learning environment for children aged 3-5 years.
Plans and implements program curriculum to fidelity by providing learning opportunities in all development domains.
Provide screening, on-going assessment, and individualization for each student.
Works in collaboration with other component units and parents to ensure that the educational, health, and social-services needs of children and their families are met.
Encourages involvement of families in all aspects of the program.
Meets the Head Start Performance Standards requirements, Montana Childcare Licensing regulations, STARS to quality program, and Child Start, Inc. Head Start policies and procedures. Maintains confidentiality regarding PII (Personal Identifiable Information) for children, families, staff members and Child Start, Inc. Head Start's governing bodies (Board of Directors, Policy Council).
Duties: and Responsibilities:
Create and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
Classroom set up: meets Creative Curriculum standards and guidelines.
Set clear, consistent schedule that is developmentally appropriate.
Plan and provide age/developmentally appropriate learning opportunities to students to support growth in areas of language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development.
Create lesson plans that address all areas of development following the chosen curriculum two weeks in advance. Post lesson plans in the classroom weekly.
Include in lesson plans individualization for each student and reflections for the week.
Utilize and implement CLASS strategies appropriately in the classroom to create an optimal learning environment.
Promote and model good health and nutrition practices for students.
Monitor the health and safety of students while at school.
Follow active supervision practices to ensure safety of all children at all times.
Document child's development screening for each student within the first 45 days of attendance.
Take anecdotal records for each student and enter into the Assessment Tool weekly, assess 3 times per school year.
Guide students' behavior in positive ways that support total growth and development following Child Start, Inc. Head Start's Child Guidance policy and Behavior Management procedure.
Playground cleanup.
Actively seek to involve parents and families in the educational process and development of their child.
Communicate regularly with parents via phone calls, newsletters, e-mails, flyers, school activities, and meetings to form mutually supportive relationships.
Conduct required home visits and parent-teacher conferences to share developmental progress and set appropriate goals.
Work collaboratively with all components of Child Start Inc. to provide student information in family's home language and use interpreters to communicate with them.
Collaborate with all staff to support a positive working environment.
Maintain a positive working relationship with your Teacher Assistant to ensure the students are receiving a quality educational experience.
Provide appropriate work direction and oversee the daily responsibilities of substitutes, volunteers, paraprofessionals, and parents while in the classroom.
Make referrals to the appropriate support system for further assessment and additional support of children's needs.
Meet with support staff and/or agencies to participate in the development of plans/strategies to ensure child's success.
Participate in program-wide events.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.
This position requires at least an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education (AA ECE) or an AA degree in a related field, coursework equivalent to a major related to early childhood education, with experience in teaching preschool children.
Must be 18 years or older.
Must be in possession of a valid Montana Driver's License.
Must possess at minimum an AA ECE degree.
Must complete required health screenings, immunizations, and physical.
Must pass a comprehensive State and FBI fingerprint background check.
One year of experience working with children in a Head Start, day care, or preschool setting.
BA/BS in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
Training in child development, classroom management, child abuse prevention, positive guidance, social work, communication, and organization.
Proficiency with Excel, ChildPlus, Microsoft Office Suite, and/or other record keeping software.
Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach,
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders,
Tasks that involve possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues.
Risks involved with travel on national flights, main highways, side streets, and rural roads during business travel, including travel to meetings and training events.
Tasks may involve handling implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilities, or telephones and personal contacts.
Possible exposure to communicable diseases.
This is a job that is a mixture of desk work, highly active classroom and outdoor environment, standing for long periods of time, and visits in the community and in participant households.
This job may require you to lift items up to 50 lbs. in weight.
The ability to successfully perform the job in this manner is required.
30 am - 2:30 pm
Candidates must possess at least an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and be at least 18 years old. A valid driver's license and the ability to pass a comprehensive state and FBI background check are required.
Market context
In Montana, classroom teacher roles are typically driven by ongoing demand for experienced educators who can step into licensed early childhood settings and meet certification requirements. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for candidates with verified program experience, CPR, Pediatric First Aid, Infant Safety Essentials, and either 32 hours of ECP training or Level 2 registry status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your credentials and highlight your early childhood experience in your application.