POSITION TITLE: Teacher I/II

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Head Start

SUPERVISOR: Education Program Manager

GRADE: I: NE10 $19.36 ($40,269) - $29.04 ($60,403)

II: NE11 $21.07 ($43,826) - $31.60 ($65,728)

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision the Teacher develops, plans, and instructs children on a consistent basis in activities to meet the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of the children based on knowledge of developmentally appropriate early childhood theories and practices. Provides high quality services to children and their families as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards 1304.21, Indian Health Services Tribal Health and Safety Code and Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines. Enables a successful transition into school readiness and a safe and healthy learning environment. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops written daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans in a manner that will develop each child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social behavior and in accordance with Head Start strategic plan; plans activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills.
• Provides developmentally appropriate activities and experiences in all curriculum areas; avoids activities causing over-stimulation or fatigue.
• Consults with Early Intervention Manager to provide resources for special needs referrals.
• Encourages children to develop their independence by assigning responsibilities to individuals by presenting each child with increasingly challenging tasks.
• Accompanies children on field trips or to activities.
• Instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care.
• Fosters cooperative social behavior; promotes self-expression and appreciation of aesthetic experiences.
• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of materials, classroom, and playgrounds by performing routine inspections.
• Maintains effective working relationships with parents by providing opportunities for parent participation.
• Observes and records each individual child’s progress and growth for planning future lessons and sharing information with parents; meets regularly with parents; provides regular written progress reports.
• Participates in all phases of the Head Start training program.
• Coordinates and trains Teacher’s Assistants and classroom volunteers.
• Reviews developmental screening of all children in coordination with the Education and Early Intervention (Disabilities) Program Manager.
• Participates in and attends parent meetings as available.
• Organizes activities/curriculum to involve special needs children in an active learning environment.
• Maintains confidential individual progress records for all children, ensuring complete, accurate, and current files.
• Establishes classroom rules and routines that are communicated to the children and their families.
• Completes daily documentation and monthly reports.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge through ongoing training.
• Contributes to a team effort and approach.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

TEACHER I:

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with the ability to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field within three (3) years of hire date; plus one (1) year experience working with pre-school children.
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR, food handlers, blood borne pathogens, and mandated reporting within thirty (30) days of employment.
• An annual physical and satisfactory health requirements as defined by the federal program standards must be completed.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California or Nevada driver’s license or capable of

obtaining one within thirty-days (30) of employment.

• Must be able to be insurable under the Tribe’s Driving Policy.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.

This is the entry level in the Teacher series. Upon receipt of the degree, written recommendation of the Education Program Manager, and meeting the minimum qualifications, the incumbent may progress to Teacher II.

TEACHER II:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with two (2) year’s experience teaching preschool children.
• Must stay current on theories and practices and follow through on Head Start professional development goals.
• Applicants must also meet the other requirements as listed in the Teacher I requirements relating to certifications, physical and health requirements, driver’s license and insurability requirements and background checks.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable records management procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of preschool curriculum development.
• Knowledge of early childhood development, diet, and nutrition guidelines.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and demonstrate leadership and team-building skills with empathy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules including travel to local and non-local areas.
• Ability to supervise and ensure a safe learning environment for young children.
• Ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at-risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to respond to emergency or crisis situations.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and create and present detailed, accurate, objective, and effective speeches and presentations.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, and software for tracking child outcomes and data analysis (Teaching Strategies, National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning).
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in classroom management.
• Skill in directing the activities of groups of children; evaluating progress and maintaining an orderly classroom.
• Skill in writing lesson plans and using curriculum guides.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, sit, reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally drive a motor vehicle to travel to various Head Start sites, meetings, trainings and conferences; and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a kitchen environment with a moderate noise level. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required.

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California requires a background check of each new hire for employment purposes. Therefore, all conditionally offered positions will be subject to the following:

• Negative alcohol and drug screen
• Meet requirements of Public Law 101-630
• Obtain or possess a valid driver’s license for either the state of Nevada or California within 30 days
• Must be insurable under the Washoe Tribe’s driving policy
• Preference will be given to qualified Native American Indians.