MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prefer a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a closely related field. Related degree should consist of a minimum of 18 hours of closely related early childhood courses.

• Minimum one year experience working with children. Two years of experience in preschool classroom is preferred for the Lead Teacher position. Experience should include the ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at-risk, special-needs, and culturally diverse populations.

• Knowledge of community resources and referral experience assisting families in need of services is highly desirable.

• Must have flexible schedule to accommodate occasional evening or weekend hours.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet and e-mail.

• Must have access to a personal vehicle for local travel, as well as a valid Mississippi driver’s license and proof of insurance.

• Must meet Mississippi State requirements for early child educators: letter of suitability, health screening, and DHA required background check.

• Regular kneeling, stooping, bending, lifting, and sitting on the floor may be required, as well as the ability to respond to an emergency or crisis situation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.

• Follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.

• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice-making; ask open-ended questions and follow-up questions to promote further learning and thinking.

• Follow agency-adopted curricula, using effective strategies to guide learning.

• Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in their individualized family service plans (IFSP).

• Prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.

• Coordinate with support staff when indicated, developing a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom.

• Utilize agency adopted tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.

• Monitor and report child abuse.

• Attend and participate in training and appropriate professional development activities.

• Meet requirements of federal and county Head Start performance standards and codes of conduct, as well as other applicable local, state and/or agency policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.