Lead Teacher (Early Head Start)

Educare of Winnebago is a collaborative partnership between the Winnebago Tribal Council, Winnebago Head Start, Tribal Childcare and the Winnebago Public Schools.  The mission of Educare is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families.

Job Purpose & Position Overview

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of a comprehensive early childhood education program.  The Lead Teacher ensures the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets children’s individual needs as well as program standards of Educare of Winnebago, Office of Head Start, and the Nebraska Department of Education.  

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Child Development

• Observe, assess and document each child’s skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to experience success and increase their self-confidence.
• Develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Identify children with possible developmental delays and with the Education Coordinator, refer them for additional evaluations as required by the Winnebago Public School District and/or community agencies.
• Contribute to and participate in child and family reviews, Mental Health staffings, and/or Individualized Education Plans/Individualized Family Service Plan meetings.
• Assist the child and family as child transitions from the infant and toddler program to the preschool program and from the preschool program to kindergarten.
• Build positive relationships with all children and their families in the classroom

Classroom Management

• Develop and maintain an attractive, stimulating and healthy learning environment.
• Encourage children to be independent in their selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Supports strategies and interventions.
• Encourage children to develop self-regulation skills.

Curriculum

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the (1) language and literacy development, (2) cognition and general knowledge, (3) approaches toward learning, (4) physical well-being and motor development, and (5) social and emotional development of each child.
• Participate in interpreting and analyzing assessment results and utilize data to plan individual and classroom experiences as well as intentionally share information with families.
• Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and implement them intentionally.
• Create documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

Parent Involvement

• Schedule and meet with parents regularly about their child’s progress, including at least two Parent/Staff Conferences and two home visits per year.
• Collaboratively plan with Family Support staff to facilitate monthly informational/activity meetings for parents for the purpose of sharing data with families and responding to their identified interests and/or needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home and in the community.
• Communicate with parents (informal conversations, newsletters, personal notes) regarding his/her child’s involvement in classroom activities and progress towards learning goals.

Classroom Leadership

• Participate in regular reflective supervision with the Education Coordinator.
• Identify professional development goals, participate in ongoing professional development and implement new strategies learned.
• Participate in the coaching process with the Education Coordinator to promote continuous improvement in one’s instruction.
• Provide leadership for the classroom team (e.g., plan for and lead team planning sessions, monitor teammates’ observation notes and appropriate goal identification, advocate for and support best practices in the classroom).
• Supervise student teachers, practicum students, and volunteers as needed.
• Serve as a mentor/model to Associate Teacher and Teacher Aide.
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to each child and family.
• Complete necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc., on a timely basis

Other

• Maintain daily attendance and USDA food counts.

• Duties listed are only an illustration of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Early Childhood preferred) and/or a Nebraska Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Preschool Disabilities, or Early Childhood Education Unified per NDE Rule 11.
• Two years early childhood experience in a center-based setting preferred.
• Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education.
• Ability and willingness to remain current regarding child development/early childhood education practices.
• Willingness to participate in Educare’s commitment to continuous review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children.
• Ability to effectively communicate; verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change.
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve.
• Maintain boundaries and performs all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Complies with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May supervise Associate Teacher and Teacher Aide, depending upon degree.

Training Requirements:

• Must attend all meetings and training courses as required or directed by Education Coordinator.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal to heavy office work which includes the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
• While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements:

• Reading, writing, calculating
• Above average social interaction skills
• Reasoning/Analysis
• Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements:

• Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
• Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

• All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Nebraska Childcare Standards 3-006.03A Criminal History Record Checks:

• In accordance with the Nebraska child care licensing standards, all staff members and volunteers, must complete a pre-employment criminal history record check. The check must be conducted through the Nebraska State Patrol.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
• If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
• Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over

Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.