Lead Teacher - Substitute

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Education Operations Manager in conjunction with a Center Education Coordinator and/or Assistant Center Education Coordinator, this position is responsible for providing comprehensive educational services in compliance with Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, program guidelines, policies and procedures. The Lead Teacher Substitute is responsible for implementing the early childhood curriculum in the classroom by following lesson plans and individual learning plans to meet the needs of every child. The Lead Teacher Substitute is responsible for ensuring all classroom staff are providing active supervision of children and for providing any required communication with parents. In a substitute position, this role will work on an irregular schedule and will not have a set schedule. Employees will be offered opportunities to work as they become available and will not have a set schedule. Opportunities for long term subbing may be available. To remain active in the substitute employee pool, employees must work at least one shift during each 90 day period when work opportunities are available. Failure to meet this requirement may result in removal from the substitute pool and separation from employment, except when otherwise approved by management.

Essential Functions:

• Provide comprehensive services for children in early care and education classrooms (ages 0-5) maintaining compliance in the  program’s guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Adhere to Head Start Program Performance Standards as well as MN DCYF licensing regulations and Child & Adult Care Food Program.
• Strictly follow the highest standards of confidentiality and ethics when working with children, parents, and peers.
• In partnership with the classroom team, implement detailed and comprehensive weekly lesson plans using Creative Curriculum (per Curricula and Intentional Planning Procedure)
• Ensure a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment ensuring active supervision is maintained at all times (per Teaching and Learning Environment Policy).
• Ensure appropriate health and safety practices are implemented, including cleaning and safety checklists.
• Inspect the classroom indoor and outdoor space daily ensuring that materials are safe.
• Remove or repair all unsafe equipment (per Daily Potential Hazards Checklist).
• Report all major issues to management. Conduct daily informal health checks of each child.
• Actively participate in all emergency drills (per Emergency Safety Lockdown policy).
• Create opportunities for children to build trusting relationships within healthy boundaries.
• Model appropriate expression of feelings (per Promotion of Children’s Mental Health, Social and Emotional Well-Being policy and Pyramid Implementation in Classrooms policy).
• Provide positive behavior support in partnership with the classroom team.
• Teach skills using evidence-based strategies to enhance children’s social emotional development.
• Follow the classroom routines, rules and social expectations using classroom materials that promote social emotional health.
• Model appropriate behavior and allow children to practice and implement new skills and language related to conflict resolution, sharing, and taking turns.
• Model appropriate and respectful behavior to the children, parents, fellow staff and program leadership
• Address any concerns and bring ongoing issues to supervisors’ attention.
• Maintain personal training logs.
• Complete required number of annual training hours necessary to remain in compliance with Minnesota Rule 3 Licensing guidelines.
• In response to the staffing needs of the center, this position will be expected to support all age groups (0 to 5) at the site, if needed.
• May be required to work at multiple locations and will be expected to support all classrooms, children ages 0-5 years.
• Performs other functions as necessary or as assigned.

 Professional Development:

• Maintain personal training logs.
• Complete required number of annual training hours necessary to remain in compliance with MN DCYF Licensing guidelines.

Safety: Responsible for providing active supervision of children and daily enforcement of safety regulations and practices.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• AA/AS/AAS Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a degree in a related field with 12 semester credits of coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education required.
• BA/BS/MA/MS Degree in Early Childhood Education or a degree in a related field with coursework equivalent preferred.
• Must meet current educational requirements as specified in the Head Start Act.
• Required to provide transcripts and/or certification.
• Six months experience in an early childhood setting required.
• Experience with Early Childhood Special Education preferred.
• Head Start experience preferred.

Abilities and Skills:

• Enjoy working with young children.
• Ability to effectively relate and communicate to people of varying multi-ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Flexible and willing to work in a team teaching environment.
• Capable of using good judgment in daily teaching situations, and in interactions with staff, parents and community volunteers.
• Use a computer and related software applications
• To ensure compliance with program requirements, and safety of staff and clients, the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing is required.

Certifications: Must have CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of hire; must maintain certifications.

Driver’s License: Because of the multiple locations, a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation on a daily basis is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, have the stamina and ability to model best practices in the classroom and act appropriately in an emergency situation.
• Physically capable of reacting to the demands of active 0-5 year olds.
• Must be able to successfully pass the pre-placement Head Start physical exam.

Environmental Requirements: School environment - preschool classroom and playground

Benefits

Department: Head Start

Salary: $30.00/hr

Locations: Multi-Site - Serves as a floating teacher, providing instructional and classroom support across multiple program locations.

Schedule: This position works on an as-needed basis and does not have a regular, set schedule. Work opportunities will be offered based on program needs and operational demands. To remain active in the substitute employee pool, employees must work at least one shift during each 90-day period when work opportunities are available. Failure to meet this requirement may result in removal from the substitute pool and separation from employment, except when otherwise approved by management.

Employees must have reliable access to and use their own phone, tablet, or computer to receive work opportunities, communicate their availability, manage their schedule, and respond to scheduling updates.

Assignments may be scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Daily assignments may vary from four to eight hours depending on program needs and employee availability.

Hybrid Capability: This position has 0% remote capability.

Posting Dates: This position will be reposted until all vacancies are filled.

Benefits: Relief employees are eligible for Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), workers’ compensation coverage, unemployment insurance benefits as applicable, overtime pay in accordance with applicable laws. 

Background Checks: Community Action conducts criminal background checks at the time of hire. Not all backgrounds are a barrier to employment.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We recruit, select, hire, place, transfer, promote, demote, layoff, discipline, terminate, recall, compensate, and train without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities whenever possible.