Head Start Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Teacher will foster positive, nurturing relationships with children while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers.
Creates daily classroom lesson plans in accordance with established curriculum. To support the needs of all children in the program, plans and implements the individualized lesson plans for the children in the classroom. Provides for a healthy and safe physical environment for children and integrates the parents into the educational program. Conducts regular health and safety environment checks to monitor classroom safety.

Completes the required program documentation for children in the classroom, such as attendance reports, observations of children, screenings as needed. Conducts parent/teacher conferences and home visits twice a year. Records pertinent individual information about children in the group.

Implements the Curriculum, CLASS, and School Readiness measures. Prepares and maintains necessary and mandated records including ongoing assessments, emergency cards and participates in a variety of staff and educational development activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in the classrooms while building positive adult-child interactions and relationship among children and with families.
• Full understanding of licensing regulations (Title 22) and responsible for ensuring assigned location always operates in full compliance and ensure Head Start and Early Head Start Ratios and requirements are also met.
• Steps in as individual in charge when Site Director is not present during program hours, as assigned.
• Maintains close visual supervision of a group of assigned children, following ratios based on specific program.

• Provide oversight and guidance to Teacher Aide as assigned.
• Ensure no child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through positive discipline strategies.
• Implement behavior management strategies through clear expectations, consistent routines, and using natural and logical consequences that encourage problem solving, promote conflict-resolution all in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing way for young children.
• Actively supports the YMCA’s commitment towards inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) where appropriate.
• Plan and implement program curriculum and activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, consistent with the YMCA values, curriculum and other established guidelines.
• Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains site and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance with Title 22 regulations, funding terms and conditions, and YMCA expectations.
• Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child and communicates with supervisor regarding child’s development.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents.
• Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA and other resources as needed.
• Attends and participates in family events, program activities, staff meetings and training.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
• Follows reporting procedures and proactively responds to situations to ensure a safe environment for all involved.
• Understands and complies with current federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintains positive relationships with parents, other YMCA team members and community partners.
• Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions.
• Follows Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) GIMS to ensure program compliance and collaborates with comprehensive service areas to support the needs of children and families in the program.
• Ensure all restroom and child abuse prevention policies and procedures are followed. Staff should never be alone with a group of children (with the exception of taking children to and from the restroom as outlined in YMCA policy).
• From time to time, you may be assigned as a 1:1 aide for a child who needs special attention or extra guidance. In such situations, your primary job responsibility will be to supervise and guide the child to whom you are assigned. However, if the child to whom you are assigned as a 1:1 aide does not come in on the assigned day, comes in late, or leaves early, team members will be expected to perform all of the regularly assigned job functions during such time, including site clean-up.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings, as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility when working with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in, and willingness to develop, in the Cause-Driven Leadership areas of Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.
• All other duties as assigned.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
The Y’s Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 14 Leadership Competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of Cause-Driven Leadership:

• Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community
  • Competencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism
• Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs
  • Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & Inclusion
• Leading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community
  • Competencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project Management
• Developing & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact
  • Competencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

While all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position:

• Engaging Community
• Collaboration
• Functional Expertise
• Developing Self & Others

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION:
  • Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Social Science, or a related field is required.
  • Educational plan to complete BA degree in CDE/ECE will be required.
• LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:
  • Valid California Associate Teacher Permit or higher-level permits;
  • Valid Class C California Driver’s License is required;
  • Current EMSA (8-hour) First Aid; Adult, Infant and Child CPR Certifications;
  • Preventative Health Practices (PHP) required for position.
  • Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• RELATED EXPERIENCE: Experience Minimum one year of paid staff/volunteer experience in a licensed childcare center serving children under 5 years old is required and preferably including assistant teaching roles.
• IMMUNIZATION AND PHYSICAL: Current TB, influenza (limited exceptions), pertussis, and measles vaccination and physical exam.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 2 years of teaching experience
  • Knowledge of Head Start performance standards
  • Creative curriculum experience
  • Bilingual English and Spanish (written and verbal).
• KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
  • Ability to provide responsive and nurturing teacher-child interactions, and to plan and implement learning experiences as specified below: Ensure effective curriculum planning and implementation based upon individual children’s developmental continuum and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
  • Ensure effective curriculum planning and implementation based upon individual children’s developmental continuum and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
  • Promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.
  • Include developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development that are focused on achieving progress outlined in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five.
  • Establish and maintain a healthy learning environment.
  • Encourage families’ engagement with their children in all Early Head Start programs to support the development of relationships between children and their families

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations
• Ability to plan, lead and participate in activities
• Job is performed indoors, as well as outdoor environments throughout the year
• Ability to lift 30-35lbs
• Job may include water activities