Head Start Teacher Surgoinsville - UETHDA

Position Summary/Objective

Must be dedicated to the Mission and Vision of UETHDA and the Purpose of the Head Start Program. Must be willing to make decisions that are beneficial and in the best interest of UETHDA and the Head Start Program.

As part of the education team and under the general direction of the Team Leader; the Head Start Teacher will create and implement developmentally appropriate, comprehensive educational plans that cultivate the emotional, physical, cognitive, and social growth of three-, four-, and five-year-old children. Must be able to work with children and families from diverse backgrounds in order to maximize school readiness for all children. Classroom settings are inclusive; teachers are expected to differentiate and meet the needs of all children’s developmental levels.

The teacher must be capable of intentionally incorporating technology into daily activities for learning purposes in the classrooms. The teacher must also be efficient in performing formal and informal assessments and ongoing data measurements to support individual learning for students.

Our Culture

The Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency has been a strong force in the community since 1964. Our mission can be summed up with “Helping People. Changing Lives.” We are looking for staff who are passionate about helping people and making a difference in their community.

The Purpose of the Head Start Program is to instill School Readiness in children and families. This is accomplished through providing high quality teaching and educational experiences, providing guidance in superior health, nutrition and establishing relationships to support families to achieve self-sufficiency. We will provide guidance by assisting in setting goals, fostering growth and development through maintaining adequate classrooms and spaces, and continuously improving the operation of the Head Start program through measuring program strengths and weaknesses in order to more effectively achieve the goal of School Readiness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes social and emotional development of children by maintaining classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.
• Develops and implements developmentally appropriate daily lesson plans and schedules.
• Always maintain a safe and healthy classroom. Follows and implements the Active Supervision procedure. Utilizes the Personal Safety, Gun Safety and Violence Prevention Curriculums into lesson plans.
• Effectively communicates headcount of students throughout the day. Follows transition procedures at all times.
• Supervise and train classroom staff and volunteers through constructive feedback and modeling appropriate use of group management techniques, positive language, and adult/child interactions daily.
• Implements a developmentally appropriate classroom management plan and strategies to ensure the classroom runs smoothly. Actions should be proactive versus reactive, anticipating and preventing misbehavior.  
• Supports all children’s individual emotional development by providing a warm, nurturing, culturally sensitive, supportive, and positive classroom environment.
• Observes, assesses, and evaluates each child’s classroom progress. Plans and implements classroom and individual student activities to promote physical and intellectual competence.
• Completes home visits as required. Collaborates with Family Engagement Specialists to plan and attend parent meetings. Must maintain positive communication with parents and all community participants. Must work closely with all entities of the Agency to provide guidance to the family by providing resources.
• Prepares, maintains, and submits necessary reports to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).
• Demonstrates work habits which comply with agency personnel policies and procedures, and completes special assignments from Team Leader, Education Manager, or Head Start Director.
• Must be respectful of all Head Start families and other staff at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Leadership Competencies

1. Teamwork Orientation
2. Continued Client Focus
3. Informed Decision Making
4. Effective Communication with families
5. Culturally Sensitive to all families
6. Technology Proficiency

Work Environment/Physical Demands

An employee must meet these physical demands to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. There is constant standing and movement around the classrooms. There may be occasional lifting of a child up to 50 lbs. There is constant squatting, sitting on the floor, and running after children to keep them safe. Must always be alert and ready to react to student behavior. Must be able to ride the bus and must be able to get on and off the bus to assist, monitor, load and unload the children.

Breaks and Holidays:

• Paid Fall Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break and holidays 

Healthcare/Personal Benefits:

• 1 Day of Healthcare/Personal accrued per month worked

Additional Benefits:

• Healthcare through the State of Tennessee.  UETHDA pays 100% of the monthly premium for the Employee Only (estimated cost paid by UETHDA for the employee is $600 per month ($7,200 annually).  Additional insurance coverage is available but cost difference will be paid by the employee.
• Dental, Vision, Short-Term, Long-Term Disability and Voluntary Life Insurance options are offered at 100% cost to the employee.
• Group Term Life Insurance for employee paid by UETHDA at 100% for coverage of 1.5 time the yearly wages
• Retirement Plan--Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees are required to contribute 5% of yearly wages (pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan).  UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS.  Employees are vested upon 5 years of eligible service.
• Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time non-exempt position and is paid hourly. Typically, this position will work 30 per week, approximately 44 - 46 weeks per school year with a summer layoff of approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Working days are Monday through Friday with varying day shift hours depending on location.  Elected benefits continue during temporary summer lay-off period.  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development (highly preferred) or AS Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development.
• Two years or more experience working with preschool children.
• Must meet all requirements outlined in the state of Tennessee DHS “Standards for Day Care Centers Serving Preschool Children.”
• Must strive to meet all requirements outlined in the Head Start Early Learning Outcome Framework.
• Must be able to follow pacing guides and create developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Ability to think creatively and problem-solve.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Proficiently utilize Microsoft Office Programs.
• Must possess 20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses.
• Hearing range must be within normal limits with or without hearing aids.
• Must possess the physical ability to be mobile and alert to maintain the safety of all children. Must be able to easily get down on the floor with the children, sit in child size furniture, run, and chase when necessary.
• Must possess the physical ability to lift and move furniture, equipment, and children weighing up to (50) pounds.
• Must pass background screening and physical exam.

EOE Statement

UETHDA hires high quality staff from a variety of fields and education levels who have a passion for changing the lives of others. UETHDA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Salary based 100% on Education/Degree.

$17.75 hourly for AS in Early Childhood Education/Development and $20.50 hourly for BS in Early Childhood Education/Development.