MEXICAN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: HS Head Teacher
Program: Head Start Program (Los Angeles County)
Salary: $26.00 - $30.20 Per Hour
Status: Non-exempt (40 hours per week)
Reports To: Area Supervisor and Program Director
DEFINITION
A staff person who instructs children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. Plans individual and group activities to stimulate learning, according to the developmental stages of the children. (This position is situated in the Educational Service Component of a Head Start.
I. COMPONENT MISSION
The objectives of the Educational Services Component are to:
- Provide children with a learning environment and the varied experiences which will help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development.
- Integrate the educational aspects of the various Head Start Areas in the daily schedule of activities.
- Encourage parents in the educational activities of the program and to enhance their role as the main influence of their child’s education and development.
- Assists parents in increasing their knowledge, understanding skills and experiences in child growth and development.
- Assists parents in identifying educational activities for their children in the home.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIFIC DUTIES (but not limited to):
Environmental:
- Develop a plan to ensure the safety of the children when using indoor and outdoor facilities.
- Conducts daily inspection of indoor and outdoor facilities. Remove hazardous debris, unsafe equipment and materials.
- Supervises activities of children to ensure their safety.
- Establishes safety rules that are understandable and practicable by children and adults.
- Develops and posts an emergency exit plan and conducts monthly emergency exit drill.
- Ensures that the classroom and center facility is free of garbage and debris.
- Plans and conducts classroom activities that encourage good healthy habits appropriate to the child.
- Recognizes and reports illnesses of children to appropriate health personnel.
- Selects and uses materials and equipment that stimulates the children.
- Straightens up and maintains a well-arranged and orderly environment.
- Includes materials which reflect the children’s culture(s) and uses them appropriately.
- Assists children during snack and meal time. Demonstrates appropriate dental and personal hygiene.
Developmental and Educational:
- Determine the physical (small-and-large-muscle development, coordination, sensory development, etc.) of the child.
- Plan and implements activities to meet the physical needs of the children, including those that have special needs.
- Provide materials and equipment to develop large motor skills at the appropriate developmental level of the children.
- Provide equipment and activities to promote the development of the fine motor skills at the appropriate developmental level of the children.
- Make necessary adaptations in program to meet the individual needs of children (various special needs, cultural backgrounds, linguistic groups, etc.)
- Provide activities and challenging experiences that stimulate curiosity, encourages questioning, probing and problems-solving skills. Motivates children to learn.
- Develop children’s communicative skills, both verbally and non-verbally. This includes the ability to communicate in, and to further the children’s familiarity with their primary language.
- Provide opportunities for children to exercise their creative abilities. through exploration and experimentation. This includes the use of a variety of media not only through art, music and dramatic activities, but in all aspects of the program.
- Help each child to develop a sense of awareness, self-esteem, and be able to express his/her feelings and accepts those feelings. To develop pride as an individual and a member of a cultural/ethnic group.
- Help the children develop a sense of independence and to provide opportunities in which the children can assume responsibility both within the group and for himself/herself.
- Encourage and assist the children in developing social skills necessary to function as a productive members of the group.
- Organize and implement a positive and comfortable routine within the room by establishing realistic limits for the children, by effectively using time, providing for active and quiet activities, and planning orderly transitions from one activity to another.
- Establish and promote productive relationships with parents, so as to increase the center’s ability to help parents meet their childrearing responsibilities.
- Provide opportunities for parents to use their skills and talents within the classroom.
- Helps conduct and encourages participation in the parent center meetings.
- In bilingual settings, communicates both verbally and in writing, with both the parents and the children in their primary language, when possible.
- Conducts regular parent education meetings which include orientation, discussion of IEP, child development, curriculum, and parenting skills.
- Implements the Individualized Educational Plan for each child with special needs.
- Works individually with children needing special attention.
- Plans and prepares weekly lesson plans.
- Maintains ongoing observation, progress, and developmental status of each child.
- Plans and supervises field trips.
- Conducts parent conferences and home visits.
Planning:
- Assists the Child Development Supervisor in preparing and updating the annual Education Services Plan.
- Design and plan the daily classroom program and schedule with teachers and Assistant Teachers.
- Designs individualized educational program for each child.
- Maintains monthly center calendar.
Administration:
- Supervises Teacher’s Assistants, Teachers and classroom volunteers.
- Supervises custodial personnel.
- Provides in-services training to peers.
- Participates in regularly scheduled team-teaching meetings.
- Attends all required in-service trainings, orientations and workshops.
- Participates in program evaluations as requested by program management.
- Orders forms, program supplies, and equipment in accordance with the approved agency budget.
- Responsible for all center food/vendor invoices.
- Records pertinent information about the children and maintains them under proper security.
- Submits all required reports and administrative forms accurately, completely, and within the set timelines.
- Report teacher/assistant teacher absences to CDS.
- Maintain appropriated adult child ratio as indicated per licensing.
- Complete center safety checklist.
- Maintain licensing boards.
- Review teachers paperwork, as needed.
- Listen to and make appropriated decisions when parent, child or staff conflicts arise in center. May request support from CDS, other coordinator or administrator.
- Must submit all required paperwork at end of school year.
- Provides input and participates in center staff performance evaluations.
Supervision
This position receives direct supervision from the Child Development Supervisor. Close supervision is not required over this position because of the demonstrated skill level and experience. Employee should use appropriated judgment in the performance of the job duties. Decision making is permitted in order to carry out duties and responsibilities. Performance evaluation is conducted by the Child Development Supervisor.
Internal Relationships:
- Child Development Supervisor
- Health, Nutrition, Social Services, Disabilities, Mental Health and Parent Involvement areas.
External Relationships:
III. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a subject matter related to early childhood education and/or child development from an accredited university.
- Minimum Site Supervisor Permit or Director Permit required.
- Six (6) Units in Administration, plus Two (2) Units in Adult Supervision required.
- Minimum of three (3) years paid experience in working with children 0-5.
- Skills:
- Skill in written and oral communication
- Bilingual (English – Spanish) preferred.
- Computer literate (MS Office Skills, Word, Excel and Power Point).
- Regularly required to operate standard office equipment (computer, Tablets, iPads, fax, phones, printers, etc.).
IV. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
- Must have verification of T.B. clearance at the time of employment issued within six (6) months prior to employment, to be renewed every four years.
- Must pass pre-employment Health Screening, T.B. Test and Drug Screening.
- Must submit to a flu vaccine once a year or submit a waiver.
- Must provide vaccination records for influenza, pertussis and measles, at the time of employment.
- COVID-19 vaccine or must apply for exemption.
V. OTHER
- Must possess own vehicle and possess a current and valid California Driver’s License and at minimum, general liability automobile insurance.
- Must possess Live Scan fingerprint clearance at all times during employment. Revoked fingerprint clearance number will lead to immediate removal from the site and termination of employment.
- Mandatory pediatric first aid and CPR certificate, which employee is responsible to maintain, as a condition of employment for the duration of their employment in this position.
- Regular attendance, Monday thru Friday, according to the work schedule provided by the site supervisor.
- Must provide updated educational transcripts as required.
- Must provide vaccination records for influenza, pertussis and measles at the time of employment. Influenza vaccine required annually thereafter.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
MAOF Sponsored Benefits:
MAOF offers a comprehensive package of benefits and perks for both part- and full-time employees, including:
- Personal Time Off (PTO) - Vacation/personal days or sick time).
- Paid Sick Time – 48 hours.
- Paid Holidays per Calendar Year - 12 paid holidays.
- Bereavement Leave – 5 paid days.
- Jury Duty – 5 paid days.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance Paid 100% by MAOF.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan - 5% employer match – 100% vested.
- Basic Life and Accidental Insurance.
- Pet Insurance.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Employee Assistance (EAP) – For team members and dependents; counseling, legal assistance, financial planning, identity theft, etc.
- Supplemental Cancer, Disability, and Accident plans.
- Employee referral bonus (referring employee earns $500 for each new hire who completes 90 days.
- Discounts for AT&T wireless, movie tickets, amusement parks, and much more.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- Credit Union Membership
