Teacher Early Head Start East and Central LA

Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing programs as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START

Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we work with children (ages 0 – 5) and their families to provide the skills, confidence and stable home life necessary for a smooth transition into kindergarten and beyond. Children also receive a broad array of health services including screenings and referrals, maintenance of immunization schedules, nutrition assessments and follow-ups, mental health assessments as part of initial screenings, and determination if any developmental or physical delays are present. Children receive health and dental services and have access to ongoing and acute and routine health and dental care. Enrolled children receive healthy meals, along with an assessment of their nutritional needs and the necessary follow-ups. Nutrition education is available for parents and incorporated into daily classroom activities for the children.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Head Start Teacher will provide children (2-3 years old) with an environment that includes varied activities to help children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development, with the overall goal being to achieve social competence for the child.

Specific duties include:

• Implement the program curriculum for children enrolled in morning and afternoon classes (double sessions). Plan individual and group activities to stimulate learning and promote parent involvement in the child’s learning. Work cooperatively with Co-Teacher and Family Advocate (FA) to provide information and resources to enrolled families;
• Provide children with an environment that includes varied activities to help children develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development;
• Conduct daily classroom planning, maintain children’s records in conjunction with the FA and submit accurate monthly paperwork on a timely basis;
• Observe, screen and assess children’s developmental levels and develop goals that relate to the child’s individual needs;
• Provide a planned program of activities, which supports and enhances the role of parents as the prime educators of their children;
• Provide a learning environment that reflects the varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the children in the program and the larger communities and societies in which they live;
• Other duties as may be required to fulfill program mission.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
• Proof at the time of hire
  • TB clearance within 6 months prior;
  • Annual Influenza vaccination (between Aug 1 – Dec 1);
  • Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization.
• Health screening at the time of employment.
• Requires ability to interact with children in a busy environment including, but not limited to:
  • Able to lift up to 50 lbs;
  • Frequently kneel and squat;
  • Ability to move quickly.

EDUCATION:

• AA in ECE/CD or related field.
• 24 units of ECE/CD.
• 6 units of infant/toddler (At least 3 Infant/Toddler units required at hire).

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of teaching experience.
• 1 year of supervisor experience.
• Experience working with infants/toddlers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2-semester units in Adult Supervision.
• 6-semester units in Infant and Toddler (At least 3-semester units is preferred at hire and any additional units for a total of 6 units are preferred to be completed within 1 year of hire).
• 1 year of experience with infants/toddlers.
• Head Start performance standards.
• Bilingual English and Spanish (written and verbal).