Job Title: Assistant Teacher 

Department: Focus: HOPE Early Learning

Reports To: Director of Early Learning/ Education Manager

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

General Summary:

Focus: HOPE Early Learning Head Start Teacher I is responsible for all aspects of planning, assessing and instructing 3-5-year-olds, based on needs of each child, The teacher is also responsible for maintaining program quality and documentation as outlined in and that is required by State Licensing, and Other qualifications may be required depending on the respective program guidelines by MDE.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Arranges and schedules substitutes for the classroom. 
• Assists in establishing and fostering a team approach and coordination of services and sharing of resources within the classroom.
• Responsible for classroom monthly safety checks, fire drills and safety meetings as well as updating the Safety Log. 
• Investigates any child or staff incidents, as needed, assuring all forms are complete and notifying the appropriate authorities and/or supervisor. 
• Attends IFSP/IEP meetings as needed or requested. 
• Plans for and equips indoor and outdoor areas to meet children’s developmental and safety needs in accordance with budgetary requirements. 
• Provide enough and appropriate outdoor time daily for children. 
• Develops and facilitates a positive community presence, focusing on networking opportunities, enhancement of volunteer participation and educational awareness efforts regarding program needs. 
• Responsible for monitoring and compliance with applicable local, state and federal rules, regulations and standards as well as with any state and federal contracts, health, safety and licensing regulations.
• Responsible for assuring compliance with quality assurance and program evaluation requirements. 
• Submits verbal and/or written reports to immediate supervisor and/or the Program Director on the activities and status of the center on a regular basis. 
• Must have knowledge of and comply with the Focus: HOPE Early Learning handbook.
• To plan and implement a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for pre-school children that promote developmental gains toward the attainment of kindergarten readiness skills as defined in the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Creates and implements lesson plans incorporating hands-on activities and experiential learning considering factors such as individual needs, abilities, learning levels and physical limitations of students.
• Confers with parents, administrators, specialists, social workers and others to implement the individual educational programs (IEPs) for students who are at different learning ability levels.
• Creates a flexible environment that is focused on student success to maximize potential.
• Observes, evaluates, and prepares reports on progress of students.
• Establishes effective communication with parents regarding the progress of students.
• Develops with appropriate personnel, mainstream instruction.
• Maintains structure in the classroom.
•  Keeps attendance records.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of impairments and generates self-esteem.
• Comply with program curriculum and supplemental curriculum, State of Michigan Licensing for childcare centers.
• Observe and assess children's development on a regular basis, analyze data and make plans or referrals specific to the needs of the individual child.
• Design daily plans for the classroom which incorporate all aspects of the program's curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice focusing on social-emotional development; cognitive skills; language and literacy development and physical development.
• Provide daily direction and oversight to other classroom staff, volunteers and interns through positive communication, coaching and modeling of desired behaviors and outcomes.
• Build positive relationships with families to assist with parent/child relationships and provide positive examples for appropriate family activities.
• Assist other service areas of the program with direct and indirect services and provide community resources for families.
• Address child and family needs in partnership with the Site Leader and/or Family Service worker.
• Establish daily and weekly goals, which promote individual and group educational plans and include parental involvement. 
• In advance of classroom experiences, prepare materials to support lesson plans and the curriculum 
• Other duties as assigned. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

NOTE: The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by the position in this job classification. Not all duties assigned are included. It is expected that an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education and/or Experience

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or the equivalent; or,
• Valid classroom CDA credential.

Special Recruitment Events

Recruitment is everyone’s responsibility to ensure all programs are fully enrolled. To that end, all staff is responsible to participate in special community or recruitment days. Some of these days maybe on weekends and staff are still required to participate. The following days are mandatory:

• Spring Bling
• Family Fun day
• And specialized days that are identified from the Program Director or management

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

Benefits: 

Paid Vacation Time 

Paid Sick Time 

Paid Holidays Per Year 

401K Match 

Medical 

Dental 

Vision 

Life and AD&D (Employer Paid) 

Voluntary Life and AD &D 

AFLAC (Voluntary) 

Short Term Disability (Voluntary) 

Long Term Disability (Employer Paid) 

EAP (Employee Assistance Program) 

FSA Plan (Flex Spending Account) 

Paid Parental Leave (Up to 4 Weeks) 

Focus: HOPE is an equal opportunity employer. Focus: HOPE does not discriminate in its hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, or termination practices against any employee based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, or handicap or disability unrelated to an employee’s ability to perform his or her job.??As a part of this commitment, Focus: HOPE will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please email 725@focushope.edu describing the accommodation.