Under the supervision of the Campus Director or Campus Supervisor and in accordance with Head Start (HS) Federal Program Performance Standards, California Department of Education (CDE), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Childcare Licensing Division (CLD), and Mission Neighborhood Center’s (MNC), the Lead Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing children 3-5 years with a positive learning environment. The lead teacher addresses all areas of development and meets the individual needs of each child. In partnership with parents, the lead teacher observes and assesses children’s development, plans children’s curriculum based on child development knowledge, designs the learning environment, and implements and supervises developmentally appropriate learning activities.

Location(s): MNC Bayview Campus

A one-time hiring bonus of $2,000 is offered exclusively for NEW Assistant Teachers, Associate Teachers, and Lead Teachers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

Interacting with Children

• Instruct children and parents (e.g. nutrition, self-care, social, motor skills, language skills, etc.) for the purpose of optimizing development of each child and helping to enhance parenting skills. Uses English language in order to assist ESL learners to acquire English language skills and to expand the language skills and vocabulary of the English-Speakers.
• Implements academic, behavior, family events, health and nutrition plans (e.g. literacy activities, stories, songs, math/science activities, art, etc.) for the purpose of achieving program objectives.
• Role-model and ensure center team support for the provision of specialized services for children with identified special needs in the classroom.
• Assist children with hand washing and tooth brushing for the purpose of modeling appropriate personal hygiene.
• Assists children during naptime.
• Helps to carry out small groups’ activities for the purpose of providing classroom activities and routines that support individual/group needs and/or delivering services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Use positive discipline techniques such as CSEFEL in guiding children’s behavior.

Assessing Children

• Observe children in all developmental domains and document observations showing progress through weekly lesson plans and anecdotal notes according to policy and procedures within the identified timelines.
• Monitors conversation, manners, cleanup activities, listening, etc. for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior.
• Demonstrates awareness of entire group, including number ratio while working with primary care children

Curriculum Preparation

• Use a curriculum framework and curriculum tool that provides opportunities for each child to meet learning expectations and prepare children for success in school.
• Organize indoor/outdoor, learning environment that provides a variety of age-appropriate experiences to foster child exploration and discovery
• Provides quiet/active and field trip activities appropriate to age groups for the purpose of actively participating in the learning activities with children.
• Conducts home visits in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and program policies and procedures.
• Develop Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) for each child based on observations, screenings, parent input and the DRDP-2015 assessment results.
• In collaboration with the Campus Director / Campus Supervisor, develop developmentally appropriate lesson plans based on children’s strengths, interests, and needs reflected in observations, ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE2 screenings and the DRDP-2015 assessment results.
• In collaboration with the Campus Director / Campus Supervisor, prepare documentation to support referrals for further evaluation and specialized services for children with suspected special needs.

Communication with Parents

• • Acts as a support and resource person for families for the purpose of assisting the teachers in case managing specific needs with families, advocating for parents and encouraging parent involvement in the program.
• Inform parents about daily classroom routine, expectations, policies, field trips and volunteer opportunities.
• Communicate with parents about incidents that have been observed and recorded on-site regarding their child.
• Encourage and motivate parents to participate in all levels of the Head Start Program (e.g. classroom center committees, PPC, Policy Council and other district and/or city-wide committees), in accordance with Program Performance Standards.
• Obtain all required classroom parental signatures such as on all incident reports and field trip permission slips.
• Build strong foundations for continuing relationships with children and their families.
• Conduct ILP conferences with each child’s parents for a minimum of 2 times per year to partner in learning goals, develop coordinated learning support, strategies, and involve the parents in the child’s school experience

Supervision

• Assist volunteers and parents in working with children in the classroom with proper health practices, food handling and interactions/supervision of children.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.
• Responsible for ensuring that all adults in the classroom follow schedules, routines and policies of the classroom, the center and the agency.
• Works closely with teachers to ensure the well-being and safety of all children.
• Understands emergency/safety procedures

Administration

• May assume coverage in the absence of the Campus Director / Campus Supervisor and remain flexible about staffing schedule which may be adjusted as program needs change and may include working in another classroom.
• Ensure the maintenance and filing of appropriate forms and documents in children’s files. • Work with other teaching staff and parents to ensure that required dental exams, physical exams and screenings are completed for each child in accordance with Program Performance Standards and Plan of Action.
• Conduct 45-day developmental screenings and three developmental assessments (DRDP-2015) for each child.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure that the timelines of 30, 45, and 90 days are met upon enrollment dates (e.g. homes visits, mental health notes, developmental screenings, ASQ-3, ASQ-SE-2, vision & hearing screenings).
• Assist in performing height and weight measurements of the children twice a year according to policy and procedure within the designated timelines.
• Complete monthly meal counts and monthly records of daily attendance for the Childcare Food Program according to MNC’s policies and procedures.
• Complete and track Department of Education Attendance Register, 801-A Form (monthly), Best Interest Day Forms (daily/monthly), if applicable to facility.
• Assist the Campus Director / Campus Supervisor in organizing center parent committee and electing officers and representatives to PPC in accordance with Program Performance Standards and PPC bylaws

Classroom Maintenance

• Maintains classroom equipment, work areas, student files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items, providing reliable information and/or ensuring a safe and sanitary environment.
• Carries out Health & Safety Checklist; corrects and identifies deficiencies. Perform minor repairs and maintenance in the classroom, as needed. Report major repairs to the Campus Director / Campus Supervisor.
• Work with campus team to clean facilities, equipment, refrigerator, and playground area for the purpose of ensuring a safe and sanitary environment.
• Assist in keeping labeled classroom areas and objects.
• Responsible to take the initiative to rotate a variety of materials on low open shelves for children to use independently.
• Set-up and serves meals and snacks for the purpose of meeting nutritional needs of students. Checks and signs for food and food service supplies when they are delivered, if assistant or floater teacher not available.
• Check the temperature of food delivery, log temperature and follow procedure for heating and storage of food according to MNC’s policies and procedures.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution. Assist in the maintenance of equipment and emergency supplies.

Secondary Functions

• • Follow Head Start/CDE/CLD policies and procedures in reporting suspected child abuse in accordance with federal and state laws.
• Attend meetings and/or workshops (e.g. staff/center meetings, in-service sessions, training, and parent meetings) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and/or maintaining their professional development.
• Must follow timekeeping policies and procedures and approve your timesheet following payroll schedule.

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service
• Always representing the company in a professional manner

Safety

• • Maintain personal safety, use personal protection equipment (PPE) and follow Company policies.
• Report all and any safety issues, accidents, or injuries to your manager as a matter of priority.
• Use safety walk and carry one child at a time up and down stairs

Effective Team Member

• • Ability to interact positively with team members.
• Ability to facilitate positive change.
• Partner with Campus Director / Campus Supervisor when necessary to address department issues or concerns.
• Punctuality and attendance is a high priority

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education: An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development (ECD) or related field is required, and must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program in ECD or related field. A Bachelor’s Degree in ECD or a related field is highly preferred.

Experience: At least 2 years of professional experience working with Preschoolers

Requirements:

• State of California Child Development Teacher Level Permit •
• Fingerprinting Clearance (DOJ & FBI)
• Clearance of Child Abuse Index (CACI) • Current Physical Health Screening (every 2 years thereafter)
• Current Immunizations (TB, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis) (every 2 years thereafter)
• Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every 2 years thereafter)
• Must be registered with the Early Care & Education Workforce Registry
• Must attend trainings that are required by funders (might be an evening or Saturday)

Language(s): Bilingual, bi-literate preferred; English/Spanish or other language ability based on program needs.

Skills and Abilities:

• Personality - Independent thinker, possess excellent customer service skills, professional attitude, a high level of personal integrity, maturity, and business judgment required.
• Performance - Able to multi-task, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, able to do presentations and to maintain confident information.
• Communication - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be a well-organized professional who thrives in a team-oriented environment.
• Stress Management - Ability to remain tactful under pressure and present a professional demeanor and communication style with co-workers in a multicultural setting.
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software and multi-line phone system.
• General office equipment, fax, copier, printer, phone, and computer.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit approximately 40% of the time, walk 20% of the time and stand 40% of the time. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type or handle, feel, and operate objects. The employee is required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to speak and listen. Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

What we offer

• Pay Rate: $37.83 - $42.00 Hourly

• Location(s): MNC Bayview Campus

• Medical – Kaiser and CCHP / Dental – Principal / Vision – Vision Care / Life Insurance - $50,000 / 403b – 3% match / FSA / Pet Care

• 15 paid sick days / 12 paid holidays / 12 paid vacation days

• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) / WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program)

If you are seeking an organization that values, promotes and develops leadership by delivering culturally sensitive, multi-generational, community-based services that empower families to build strong, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods with the vision of a strong, healthier and more vibrant community that respects and celebrates its many rich, cultural traditions, please apply.

We are an equal-opportunity employer that welcomes diversity in the workplace and has a great company culture. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.