Position Title:

Center Teacher

Department:

Early Childhood

Reports To:

Education Site Supervisor

Program Director:

Early Childhood Program Director

FTE:

1.0

FLSA Designation:

Non-Exempt

EEOC Category:

Professional

Pay Level:

F2 w/ CDA & AA Early Childhood Degree

F3 w/ BA Early Childhood Degree

Effective Date:

HR Approval:

Employee Signature:

www.pikecac.org

OUR MISSION…

It is the mission of the Community Action Committee of Pike County to improve the well-being and independence of those we serve.

OUR VISION…

It is the vision of the Community Action Committee of Pike County to be the leading community service provider and employer of choice in the region.

OUR LOCATIONS…

Piketon

Waverly

Jackson

Portsmouth – Broadway

West Portsmouth

Manchester

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES…

• Early Childhood & Head Start

• Energy & Weatherization

• Workforce & Business Development

• Senior Programs

• Community Action Transit System (CATS)

• Social Services

• Pike Mobility Management

• Health Insurance Marketplace Assistance

• Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)

• Free Tax Preparation

• Valley View Health Centers

• Primary Care

• General Dentistry

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT…

Community Action Committee of Pike County is an equal opportunity employer. No personnel decisions concerning any term or condition of employment shall be based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, Vietnam-era status, age, military status, place of birth, or genetic information, except where such criteria constitute a bona fide occupational requirement.

About Community Action Committee of Pike County…

Since 1966, the Community Action Committee of Pike County has been providing a broad base of much needed services to residents of Southern Ohio to promote self-sufficiency and to address the major causes of poverty. We are an embodiment of our nation’s spirit of hope – changing people’s lives and improving the communities we serve.

About the Early Childhood Program

For over 50 years, the CAC Early Childhood Program has helped prepare our community’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and later in life. Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Education, and Child Care programs promote children's development through services that support early learning, health, and family well-being. Over 300 children ages 0-5 and pregnant women are served each year at five Pike County locations or in the family's own home. The program has attained the highest achievement of five-star Step Up to Quality ratings at all sites. The Early Childhood Program strives to “join with our community in strengthening families and improving the quality of life for children.”

Position Impact and Purpose

The Center Teacher plays a vital role in the success of the children served in the CAC Early Childhood Program. The teacher is responsible for the education, safety and well-being of the children enrolled. Head Start teachers will plan lessons for 3 to 5-year old children based on needs and interests of each child. They will also prepare the children for Kindergarten Readiness. The Early Head Start teacher plans lessons for children 6 weeks to age 3, using curriculum based on the children’s interests and needs. Some teachers will be designated as child care. These teachers will be responsible for opening or closing the classroom, collecting child care fees, submitting sign-in sheets to the enrollment department each day, and reminding parents to complete TAPS on the tablet for ODJFS reimbursement. Teachers also help guide families and children to achieve developmental milestones through assessment, individualization, and wellness observations. Working with families, the teacher strives to create the most optimal learning experience for a successful future for all children.

Key Relationships

• Early Childhood Director

• Early Childhood Enrollees

• Community Partners

• Early Childhood Management Team

• Early Childhood Families

• Regulatory Agencies

· Education Site Supervisor

• Early Childhood Staff

• HR Business Partner

Key Characteristics and Competencies

• Emotional Intelligence

• Excellent Work Ethic

• Willing Spirit

• Team Commitment

• Accountability

• Collaboration

• Time Management

• Positive Outlook

• Organization Skills

• Problem Solving

• Detailed Oriented

• Integrity

Essential Functions…

Functional Area:

Child Development/Health/Disabilities

Estimated Effort: 60%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations

· Accountable to the direct supervisor for the completion of assignments.

· Supervise and monitor children at all times. Employ Active Supervision techniques as outlined in the Early Childhood Active Supervision procedure.

· Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings to plan and deliver collaborative services across all service areas.

· Respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations.

· Assist in giving other center staff adequate time for breaks while maintaining staff/child ratio. Hours may vary from 5:45 am to 6:15 pm. Will be expected to substitute for other team members to ensure the provision of services and to maintain staff/child ratio

· Assess individual and group needs, attending to special needs, specific interests, strengths, and concerns.

· Develop and utilize integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children.

· Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small group and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.

· Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; ask open ended questions and listen respectfully.

· Establish weekly goals that promote individual and group education plans and include school readiness, safety, dental, nutrition, and mental health activities.

· Prepare classroom materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans; create and change learning centers as needed.

· Document ongoing assessments according to School Readiness Goals, the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, and Ohio Early Learning Developmental Standards.

· Accommodate therapists in the classroom as needed to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children.

· Educate parents on the importance of prevention, early intervention, and well child care. Shall encourage parents to provide documentation of well child visits. Emphasis shall be placed on ensuring that all required immunizations are up-to-date, dental and physical exams are completed, and follow-up is obtained. Responsible for communicating health information to the Health/Nutrition Coordinator for tracking and follow-up purposes.

· Conduct daily health checks to ensure that children are free from communicable diseases.

· Assists in mentoring and hand-on training with new staff in the classroom

· Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in the Individual Education Plans (IEP) and/or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and assessment information.

· Provide support and assistance to families during the referral for evaluation process, which may include transportation to and from IEP, IFSP, and Transition meetings.

· Complete all required tracking of information and documentation regarding home visits, attendance records, screening summaries, social service paperwork, reports, and all other essential records required by the program in a timely and comprehensive manner. All documentation shall be entered into the online Childplus system.

· Participate in program planning and on-going monitoring including the Program Self-Assessment, Program Plans, Strategic Plan, etc.

· Assists with meal preparation, clean-up, serving of children, and completing all required tracking and meal counts.

Functional Area:

Parent, Family and Community Engagement

Estimated Effort: 25%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations

· Encourage all aspects of family engagement; document all relevant contacts with parents on case notes.

· Provide other support as necessary, including transporting families on an emergency, limited basis.

· Assist parents in assuming the role of their child’s first teacher to maximize the potential for each child’s optimal growth and development. Assist parents in advocating for their child’s needs with other community agencies and during transition between programs.

· Encourage volunteerism and attendance to all parent involvement activities and provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.

· Communicate regularly with parents, regarding each child’s progress.

· Conduct required parent/teacher conferences and home visits for the purpose of assessment and support, and to share information on classroom progress and education strategies at school and at

home.

· Notify Family Services Coordinator or designated staff if a family needs or requests special resources or services.

Functional Area:

Transportation

Estimated Effort: 5%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations

· Must be willing to complete van/CDL pre-service training and obtain certification as prescribed by goals set forth in Professional Development Plan (PDP). (Must be 21 years of age and be covered by agency insurance to drive agency vehicles with clients.)

· Drive safely at all times and follow all Ohio Laws, Regulations, and CAC Agency Policies.

· Secure all children in safety harnesses or car seats.

· Complete all necessary driving duties and paperwork.

Teacher with CDL

• Be available to drive the school bus when needed.

• Complete a 4 hour annual in-service training including the annual ODJFS Ohio Pre-Service Driver Curriculum Training.

• Comply with all Department of Transportation regulations on drug and alcohol screening.

• Comply with the CDL recertification process. Shall obtain a bus driver (T8) physical each year upon the request by supervisor.

Teacher with Van Certification

• Complete a 2 hour annual ODJFS Ohio Pre-service Driver Curriculum Training.

· Shall obtain a van (T8) physical each year or upon request by supervisor.

Functional Area:

Other Duties

Estimated Effort: 10%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations

· Participate in committee assignments as assigned by supervisor.

· Responsible, along with other staff, for keeping center, office, kitchen, and supply areas clean and orderly.

· Assist with other duties by assigned supervisory when other work is necessary to fulfill the obligations of the Early Childhood Program and/or CAC.

· Ensure general maintenance and security of facility and assist in inventory of equipment and supplies. Shall request supplies as needed to ensure provision of services.

· Shall possibly be named as center administrator for licensing purposes and meet with licensing representative as needed.

· Participate in recruitment and enrollment as necessary to ensure that full enrollment is maintained.

· Responsible for reading and adhering to all agency policies and procedures, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Licensing Rules and/or Ohio Department of Education Licensing Rules for Preschool Children and Head Start Performance Standards.

· Must handle confidential information in accordance with agency policy.

· Must immediately divulge information to supervisor if convicted of criminal offenses and/or traffic offenses that could affect the agency insurance coverage.

· Is aware that social networking sites are banned during work time unless they are program specific.

· Expectations include: a pleasant demeanor, a positive attitude, a willing spirit and team commitment. Must behave and act in ways between and among co-workers that is conducive to team work, cooperation and an overall effort to ensure a pleasant and positive work atmosphere. Must maintain a courteous, professional demeanor with children and families and maintain a positive reflection of CAC and the Early Childhood Program.

· Is aware that personal cell phones are not permitted in the classrooms.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• Early Childhood Degree (AA) or a qualifying degree with experience teaching preschool children.

Job-Related Experience:

• Preference given based on length of experience working with children under the age of six.

Other Requirements:

• Physical exam and or T-8 exam
• Updated immunizations
• Three references
• Permission to obtain a copy of a BCI and FBI background check
• A signed Standards of Conduct Form.
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and up-to-date proof of insurance.
• Be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy.
• Must possess audio and visual skills to care for young children.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.(CDL Drivers)
• Must be willing to engage in professional development efforts, including occasional overnight stays, as available to the position and requested by supervisor.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Early Childhood Degree (BA) or a qualifying degree with experience teaching preschool children.

• Preference given based on length of experience working with children under the age of six.

Working Conditions

This position is in a well-lighted classroom environment with up to 20 children, 3 to 5 years of age or up to 8 children 6 weeks to 3 years of age. The work is fast paced and requires the ability to lift 40 pounds, stand, stoop, and bend to interact at the child’s level. Must be willing to engage in professional development efforts, including occasional overnight stays, as available to the position and requested by supervisor. This position includes moderate to high levels of stress.