Teacher - Early Care and Education

The early care and education teacher is responsible for supporting a nurturing, loving, safe, and educational space for children of all abilities. In addition to responsibility for direct care of the children at Hand in Hand, the teacher supports the lead teacher to develop weekly lesson plans utilizing Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum®, adapts activities to meet the individual needs and interests of children, and supports a positive and cohesive classroom management using Conscious Discipline and Safety Care.

This individual ensures regular family communication and program quality to develop the full child – cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.

This is a full time position, schedule to be determined base on operating hours Monday - Friday 6:45 am - 5:45 pm.

Team members are eligible for Iowa TEACH program, a scholarship program that helps early childhood professionals access educational opportunities, and WAGE$, an annual bonus program up to $9,200 for care and education teachers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ensure the safety and well-being of all children at all times:

• Support execution of weekly lesson plans in Teaching Strategies.
• Ensure constant visual and auditory supervision of all participants.
• Ensure sanitary procedures are followed by all children and adults. This includes hand washing procedures, bloodborne pathogen training and practices, diapering procedures, and soiled clothing practices.
• Immediately report all suspected cases of child and dependent adult abuse according to state Mandatory Reporting requirements.
• Execute a program schedule with flexible, consistent routines and planned transitions.
• Always demonstrate respect for participants, communicating with empathy and compassion at their level and near the individual.
• Meet all personal care needs of assigned children/adults of all abilities which can include diapering, catheterization, g-tube feeding.
• Ensure constant compliance with state and agency stated staff to participant ratios

Contribute to the development of an inclusive, nurturing, safe and engaging space to promote learning and development:

• Maintain a neat, organized, and engaging program space.
• Develop a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to promote feelings of security, safety and belonging.
• Support the lead teacher in ensuring environmental rating assessment completion for best quality.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and privacy requirements
• Monitor supplies and regularly communicate needs to Program Director.
• Complete daily housekeeping tasks including laundry, dishwashing, floor mopping, sweeping and the general cleaning of surfaces.
• Support the lead teacher in completing Teaching Strategies assessment processes, implement instructional and/or environmental adaptations to support the success for each child with diverse needs, identified disabilities, dual language learners, identified behavioral health needs and/or specialized health needs.

Implement engaging activities that:

• Foster creativity, inquiry and encourages participants to lead the development and learning process.
• Incorporate a wide variety of experiences, materials, equipment, and instructional strategies.
• Celebrate each participant’s unique culture and abilities while fostering empathetic interactions with diverse individuals.

Facilitate connection and strong communication:

• Develop professional relationships with participants, parents, volunteers and other members of the community.
• Facilitate regular and positive communication with parents/guardians utilizing formal and informal communication methods approved by the agency.

Serve as an advocate for families.

• Meet with parents of participants to discuss progress, incidents and needs.
• Ensure updated progress reports for participants.
• Meet with parents of participants to discuss progress, incidents and needs as warranted.
• Collaborate with Lead Teacher, Director, LC and Director of Behavior Support and Training to complete necessary forms and assessments for behavior intervention and progress as necessary.
• As needed, support twice annual family conferences for each child.

Accurately and fully complete all necessary paperwork and reports before the end of each shift.

• Ensure timely completion of incident/injury reports, reviewing at each shift before submission to Director.
• Ensure accurate completion of all daily activities.
• Accurately clock in and out, ensuring proper timekeeping for duties.

Complete all annual required training and renewals including but not limited to:

• CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporting, Universal Precautions
• Safety Care
• Training related to professional growth and/or program quality as approved by HHS IQ4K (12 hours)
• HIPAA Compliance
• Social Emotional Mental Health Training as approved by IA HHS IQ4K (6 hours)
• Food Safety Approved Training (at least 1 training)
• ISU-E’s Passport to Early Education (within 9 months of employment)
• Iowa Early Learning Standards

Other

• Maintain knowledge of all services provided by Hand in Hand to promote our programs in the community.
• Maintain ongoing communication with staff and Director of Programs LC regarding ideas, concerns, safety issues and suggestions for designing and growing Hand in Hand programs.
• Communicate with administrators, therapists, case managers and other professionals from outside agencies to coordinate services.
• Stay abreast of concerns or issues affecting Hand in Hand participants and families, offering ideas to better serve the population and meet those needs.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual must be at least 16 years of age for part time roles, 18 years of age for full time roles.

Education and/or Experience Required

· GED or High school diploma.

· Certified in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa’s mandatory reporting of abuse (Hand in Hand will coordinate courses for certification if not yet obtained)

Education and/or Experience Preferred

· Post secondary degree in early care and education or related field

· Experience working with children and adults with disabilities in a direct care setting preferred.

· Knowledge of the State of Iowa Childcare licensing rules and regulations.

· Experience using behavior modification techniques.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents and policies as set by the Iowa Department of Human Services, CARF, and other governing bodies. Ability to communicate effectively with participants, their caregivers, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds during the routine care of children and adults.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to chemicals approved for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing program space.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

License

Individual must maintain a valid driver’s license, insurance and possess reliable transportation.

Technology/Equipment

Ability to effectively and efficiently make use of technology such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.

COMPETENCIES:

This person will possess a deep understanding of early childhood development and demonstrate the following key competencies:

Inclusive Education Strategies: Ability to support and implement activities that accommodate children with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities.

Child Development Knowledge: Understanding of child development stages and the ability to assist in creating appropriate learning experiences.

Cultural Competency: Values diversity and inclusion, showing respect for all people regardless of race, gender, age, disability, lifestyle, or viewpoint. Seeks to understand and integrate different perspectives in classroom activities.

Behavior Management: Skills in supporting positive behavior and management techniques to promote a safe and productive learning environment.

Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with children, parents, and colleagues.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with lead teachers, support staff, and external specialists to support each child’s needs.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Capability to assist in adapting teaching methods and materials to meet the varying needs and abilities of all children.

Observation and Assessment: Proficiency in observing, documenting, and assisting in assessing children's development and learning to inform instruction and individualized support.

Empathy and Patience: High level of empathy, patience, and understanding to support children’s emotional and social development.

Professional Development and Continual Learning: Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying updated with the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.

Safety and Health Management: Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations, prioritizing the well-being of children in the classroom.

Family Engagement: Ability to build strong, respectful partnerships with families to support their involvement in their child's education.

Emotional Intelligence: High emotional intelligence to manage one's own emotions and understand and influence the emotions of others in a classroom setting.

Conflict Management: Recognizes differences of opinion, facilitates open discussion, and seeks win-win solutions. Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between individuals.

Developing Others and Coaching: Provides support and feedback to colleagues and assists in strengthening their knowledge and skills to improve personal and organizational performance.

Initiative: Identifies what needs to be done and takes action before being asked, when the situation requires it. Goes beyond what is normally required to achieve goals and improve the classroom environment.