• Develops written daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans in a manner that will develop each child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social behavior and in accordance with Head Start strategic plan; plans activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills

• Provides developmentally appropriate activities and experiences in all curriculum areas; avoids activities causing over-stimulation or fatigue.

• Consults with Early Intervention Manager to provide resources for special needs referrals.

• Encourages children to develop their independence by assigning responsibilities to individuals by presenting each child with increasingly challenging tasks.

• Accompanies children on field trips or to activities.

• Instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care.

• Fosters cooperative social behavior; promotes self-expression and appreciation of aesthetic experiences.

• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of materials, classroom, and playgrounds by performing routine inspections.

• Maintains effective working relationships with parents by providing opportunities for parent participation.

• Observes and records each individual child’s progress and growth for planning future lessons and sharing information with parents; meets regularly with parents; provides regular written progress reports

• Participates in all phases of the Head Start training program.

• Coordinates and trains Teacher’s Assistants and classroom volunteers.

• Reviews developmental screening of all children in coordination with the Education and Early Intervention (Disabilities) Program Manager.

• Participates in and attends parent meetings as available.

• Organizes activities/curriculum to involve special needs children in an active learning environment.

• Maintains confidential individual progress records for all children, ensuring complete, accurate, and current files.

• Establishes classroom rules and routines that are communicated to the children and their families.

• Completes daily documentation and monthly reports.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge through ongoing training.

• Contributes to a team effort and approach.

• Performs other duties as required.

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.

• Knowledge of applicable records management procedures.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of preschool curriculum development.

• Knowledge of early childhood development, diet, and nutrition guidelines.

• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.

• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate leadership and team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.

• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.

• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.

• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.

• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.

• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules including travel to local and non-local areas.

• Ability to supervise and ensure a safe learning environment for young children.

• Ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at-risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.

• Ability to respond to emergency or crisis situations.

• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and create and present detailed, accurate, objective, and effective speeches and presentations.

• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, and software for tracking child outcomes and data analysis (Teaching Strategies, National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning).

• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.

• Skill in classroom management.

• Skill in directing the activities of groups of children; evaluating progress, and maintaining an orderly classroom.

• Skill in writing lesson plans and using curriculum guides.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally drive a motor vehicle to travel to various Head Start sites, meetings, trainings and conferences; and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a classroom setting with a moderate noise level. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required.