Pre-School Teacher Head Start

The Teacher is responsible for the care and education of a group of

children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher plans and implements

the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards. This

position is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start &

Children?s Services; building an understanding of the program by

communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. This

position must comply with all federal, state and local laws,

regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal

Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts

Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of

Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law

(Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc.

Head Start and Children?s Services policies and procedures. All ABCD

Head Start/Early Head Start and Children?s Services personnel who are

paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report

all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts

Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts

General Laws Chapter 119 ?? 51A ? 51G. Any staff member who suspects

child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor

immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position may support

both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual

assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be

documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status

form. All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to

Head Start\'s policy on confidentiality. Key Responsibilities Teaching

Practices Provide pre-school children with a joyful, nurturing, safe,

healthy individualized environment and the varied experiences which help

them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a

manner appropriate to their age and stage of development in relationship

to the overall goal of social competency. Provide a balance between

child-initiated and teacher-led activities. Provide a balance between

quiet and active learning activities. Help children gain independence

and autonomy in eating, toileting, dressing and hygiene through age

appropriate and manageable tasks for children to practice and achieve

competence. Provide technical assistance and supervision to Teacher

Assistants and classroom volunteers to facilitate the implementation of

developmentally appropriate learning activities. Ensure the integration

of the educational aspects of the various Head Start components by

developing opportunities and activities for children to learn about

health, safety, nutrition, dental health, and families. Develop

activities and strategies to engage parents in the educational aspect of

the program in order to improve their understanding of child development

and facilitate their role as the principal influence in their child\'s

education and development. Observation, Planning and Documentation

Ensure individualized and quality educational programming by

participating in: The screening and educational assessment of children.

The use of diagnostic evaluations to develop long- and short-term goals

for each child. The development and implementation of

developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.

The development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans

(IEP\'s) for children with special needs. Daily observations of

children. Record keeping activities (e.g., keeping records of daily

observations of children and of communication with parents). Team

meetings. A minimum of two home visits per family per year. A minimum of

three Parent/Teacher conferences per year. Periodic field trips.