Preschool Head Start TeacherAt — Orange County Head Start, Inc.

Effectively plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children including improving the readiness of children for school based on individual and group patterns of development that address all domains and areas required by the Head Start Performance Standards.
Work with parents to develop individual lesson plans, goals and objectives for each child’s development in the domains required by the Head Start Performance Standards.

• Document child’s progress through written observations, work samples, pictures and input from parents and other qualified staff in the required assessment tool.
• Must be able to hear and see children at all time when under their supervision.
• Instruct and interact with children utilizing the appropriate adult child interactions as approved by the agency including one-on-one, small group, and large group interactions.
• Provide care and supervision for children including maintaining safety, assisting with toileting and self care routines.
• Train parents, Teacher Assistants, and volunteers regarding classroom procedures, appropriate interactions with children and specific tasks.
• Utilizing approved screening tools in partnership with parents to observe each child’s health and development and when concerns are identified refer children with concerns to the Center Director to obtain appropriate services for support.
• Prepare daily paperwork including but not limited to daily attendance, meal count, daily milk count, fire and disaster drills, inside and outside safety checklist.
• Perform and or oversee parent/teacher home visit and parent conferences to communicate child progress with parents and set/update goals for each child.
• Recruit parents to participate in Parent Engagement Program and notify parents of meetings, home visits, events and concerns.
• Prepare and set-up for meals and snacks as required.
• Assist children and adults when injured or during other emergency situations within the classroom and related facilities.
• Oversee and participate in the preparation, cleaning, and set up of classroom environment and materials for planned activities/lessons.
• Oversee Teacher Assistants and others working in the classroom.

Tasks:

Plan and Implement Learning Experiences: Design and carry out learning activities that foster children's intellectual and physical growth, specifically focusing on school readiness across all domains outlined by Head Start Performance Standards.

Develop Individualized Plans: Collaborate with parents to create lesson plans, goals, and objectives for each child's development, aligning with Head Start domains.

Document Child Progress: Record children's development using written observations, work samples, photos, and input from parents and staff within the designated assessment tool.

Instruct and Interact with Children: Engage children through one-on-one, small group, and large group interactions, using approved adult-child interaction strategies.

Partner with Parents: Conduct parent/teacher home visits and conferences to discuss child progress and collaboratively set/update child goals.

Recruit for Parent Engagement: Encourage parents to participate in the Parent Engagement Program.

Communicate Program Information: Inform parents about meetings, home visits, events, and any concerns.

Train Staff and Volunteers: Educate Teacher Assistants and volunteers on classroom procedures, appropriate child interactions, and specific tasks.

Training:

Students will receive comprehensive training during this placement to facilitate their learning outcomes. This training is designed to provide a supportive and structured environment where they can build practical skills and apply their academic knowledge.

The training program includes a mandatory General Employer Orientation to familiarize students with our organization's policies, procedures, and culture. Following this, each student will be assigned a mentor and participate in weekly one-on-one mentor meetings. These sessions are crucial for individualized guidance, feedback, and discussion of progress.

To provide hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of daily operations, students will engage in job shadowing with experienced team members. We also offer workshops and skills training sessions focused on key competencies relevant to their roles.

To ensure students have clear expectations and a framework for their work, they will receive work samples and a thorough overview and contextualization of all assigned tasks. We also provide access to relevant training literature reviews and use testing to assess their understanding and retention of new skills. This multi-faceted approach ensures students are well-equipped to meet their learning objectives and succeed in their roles.

Learning Outcome:

Integrate and implement curriculum plans that are aligned with child development theories and research.

Design and execute age-appropriate lesson plans for both individual and group activities.

Apply positive guidance techniques to effectively manage the behavior of individual children and groups, promoting their social and emotional development.Communicate effectively with families, colleagues, and other professionals.

Maintain confidentiality of information related to children, families, and staff.

Reflect on their own teaching practices, self-assess their performance, and use that evaluation to modify their teaching behaviors and plans.

Become familiar with the daily operations of a preschool or early childhood education setting.

Recognize and address the needs of the children and families they serve.