Position Summary:

The Teacher is responsible for the implementation of the educational program as described in the APM School District of Philadelphia Work Plan, Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Program Performance Standards, including the Head Start Early Learning Framework, in addition to PreK Counts and Philadelphia PreK Guidelines, where applicable. The teacher is responsible for the supervision of the Teacher’s Assistant and any volunteers in the classroom. The teacher is responsible for the completing of child assessments and anecdotal records which will help in planning an appropriate individualized educational program for each child. The teacher will work with the Center Director, Educational Coordinator and other component staff in developing activities, which will be presented to parents at the time of home visits.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Work as a team with the Assistant Teacher, parents, and other volunteers in preparing and carrying out the daily activities of the classroom, such as, preparing the lesson plans.

a. Work with Head Start Director and Education Coordinator and parents to develop a culturally relevant educational program of classroom and group socialization activities, complemented by activities that can be carried out at home, that complies with the APM Head Start Plan.

b. Complete all child developmental assessments and review with the Education Coordinator. Help to identify children who may need developmental intervention.

c. Help plan any child development or educational component of the monthly parent training and group socialization meeting for parents. Planning will be in conjunction with parents, the Education Coordinator and other team members as appropriate.

2) Organize the classroom into specific learning centers with developmentally and culturally appropriate materials in each learning center.

3) Create a warm, inviting atmosphere for parents, children and staff in the classroom.

4) Seek input from the Education Coordinator to determine and correct areas of weaknesses in the classroom design or activities.

5) Provide individual home visitation services at least twice a year in order to gain understanding of the environment in which the child lives and to assist parents in advancing their child development in the home.

6) Attend and participate in pre-service and in-service training for staff and parents that will increase knowledge of Head Start components and how Head Start works to strengthen the whole family. Attend and participate in staff meetings.

7) Provide education and training to staff and parents regarding child development and appropriate expectations for children through role modeling and direct training.

a. Provide on-going mentoring to classroom staff and volunteers.

b. Meet formally with parents on a regular basis to provide educational and supportive information regarding child development and behaviors that result from developmental stages.

8) Maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to families and children. Share information only with staff who “need to know” in order to ensure the healthy development of children and to assist in areas of family needs.

9) Cooperate and communicate with Component Coordinators to integrate all Head Start components into the daily program activities in the classroom.

10) Oversee the completion of all required record keeping, such as attendance form, volunteer log, meal participation sheets, permission slips, etc.

11) Ensure that all child development assessments, anecdotal records, and individual education plans are given to the assigned staff person and filed in the child’s confidential file.

12) Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

APM is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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Qualifications for the Position

1) BS/BA in Early Childhood Education or related field, including 30 credits in ECE OR Elementary Ed. and 18 ECE credits OR any field with ECE certification OR AA/AAS degree in Early Childhood Education, including 18 ECE credits.

2) Two (2) years experience working as a classroom teacher in the field of early childhood education, preferably with a preschool population and working with families.

3) One (1) year experience supervising other classroom staff and / or volunteers.

4) Knowledge of and belief in the Head Start Family empowerment model.

5) Knowledge of or experience working with at-risk children.

6) Bi-lingual, bi-cultural in the Latino culture preferred.