Head Start Lead Teacher (36077)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Teacher II who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact:

The purpose of the Teacher II is to serves as lead worker in the classroom. Performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for pre-school aged children or infants/toddlers in the Head Start/Early Heart Start Program that comply with federal performance standards. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Plans develop and implement daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre-school age children or infants and toddlers that meet federal performance standards.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans that comply with federal performance standards.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Monitors food service and supplies for adequate inventory.
• Documents children's progress or lack of and completes all required manual and computerized forms and reports in accordance with federal requirements.
• Initiates referrals on children to the Center Director by submission of a variety of formal documents.
• Plans classroom activities for parent and community volunteers.
• Attends and participates in workshops and other meetings to acquire and disseminate information.
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Pre-Kindergarten standards.
• Conducts Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.
• Performs quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS score greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Success Rubric.
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Uses home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect to designated state agency.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees field trips for assigned children.
• Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom.
• Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education:

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education; or a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children. Coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education includes but is not limited to the following:
• Teaching credentials: licensure or certification by the state for Pre-K teachers recognized by the local school district or state education agency as qualifying teachers to teach pre-school children in that school district or state if the individual has at least 500 clock hours of experience in an early childhood setting teaching pre-school aged children. OR
• Coursework: No less than 18-semester credits in courses that focus specifically on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science and children’s literature.  These courses may have been taken in various departments such as Education, Home Economics, Music, Art, Library Sciences, Physical Education and Recreation, Psychology, Family Studies, and others, and must specifically address young children.
• A baccalaureate degree in any field and has been admitted into the Teach for America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach for America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach for America’s professional staff.
• Completion of State Childcare Training required including Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course.  In addition, all state mandated courses for the Voluntary prekindergarten required.

Experience: Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required: Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of the date assigned to this position; and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening prior to hiring.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.  

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.