Lead Teacher

HEAD START LEAD TEACHER

(Early Childhood Program Specialist 3)

SALARY:   $3,796/month (after July 1, salary increases to $3,910 per month)

CYCLIC STATUS: This is a 10.5 month position, scheduled to work August - June each year.  Summers are off and unpaid.

LOCATION: Lynnwood, WA

DESCRIPTION:   

The Lead Teacher directs staff in the classroom, and works with children, staff, parents and communities in a sensitive, confidential and supportive manner that honors individual differences, cultural & linguistic backgrounds, and current circumstances. We have opportunities available for Lead Teachers in a full-day classroom model and a part-day classroom model.  The Lead Teacher in a part-day classroom leads two Head Start preschool classrooms, each with 17 three to five year olds.  The Lead Teacher in a full day classroom leads a Head Start preschool classroom of 18-19 three to five year olds.  

This is a classified position reporting to the Education Site Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Classroom Teaching

• Effectively plan, implement and evaluate classroom systems and plans, team communication and problem-solving with site staff and classroom co-teacher team
• Plan developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses the needs & interests of dual language learners and children with disabilities
• Deliver educational programming and manage the classroom in a way that promotes safety for one class of up to 19 children
• Promote school readiness goals by creating an emotionally supportive classroom environment that fosters self-help skills
• Provide direction, leadership and maintain positive working team environment to the Assistant Teacher, Food Service Workers, Classroom Aide and Volunteers
• Substitute in the classroom during desk time, when needed due to staffing shortages
• Meet weekly with teaching team to discuss classroom needs and responsibilities
• Other duties as assigned

Documentation and Compliance

• Obtain and maintain Inter Rater Reliability using Teaching Strategies Gold within 60 days of employment
• Complete to fidelity required observations and checkpoints quarterly utilizing the Teaching Strategies Gold documentation tool
• Maintain compliance with Head Start program standards and procedures
• Perform daily data entry into our curriculum/assessment and child file databases
• Other duties as assigned

Collaboration with Families and Program Service Areas

• Engage parents in their child’s learning through participation in home visits and home learning activities, requiring temporary adjustments to work schedule as needed to support families’ schedules.
• Collaborate with local school districts on coordinated services and referrals to children with disabilities
• Recognize that parents are the first teacher and most knowledgeable of their child’s needs
• Maintain Head Start standards in completing home visit and parent conference requirements
• Ensure that Family Needs Assessment and Family Goals are completed within 90 days of family enrollment, and follow-up with community referrals and resources for 3-5 families on their caseload
• Collaborate with Health Services Team, Mental Health and Disabilities Team, and Family Advocates to ensure that families are meeting Head Start performance standards
• Conduct and evaluate development and behavioral screenings within 45 days of child enrollment, referring children as needed
• Other duties as assigned

KEY COMPETENCIES (specific knowledge, skills or skill sets, and/or abilities necessary to perform work activities):

• Be able to perform all the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to work independently, but also be a team player.
• Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially.
• Must be knowledgeable of and work in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, department and College policies and regulations, and negotiated agreements
• Must be able to use a computer for written communication, data entry, spreadsheet applications, and report creation.
• Must be able to respond to and initiate communication with college/program employees, staff of other institutions, outside agencies, enrolled families, and the general public
• Must be able to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
• Must be able to prioritize unplanned but required duties with ongoing confirmed deadlines. Must be flexible and able to negotiate priorities according to program needs while considering rules and process requirements
• Must consistently adhere to an established work schedule and maintain a 95% attendance rate
• Current Food Worker Card and Pediatric CPR/1st Aid
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License and personal automobile insurance

JOB READINESS FACTORS (working conditions such as environmental factors, mental and physical demands, willingness issues of the position):

• Must be able to work under stressful situations and manage stress appropriately
• Must be able to accomplish repetitive tasks while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Must be able to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment
• Ability to perform regular sanitation/cleaning of the classroom that may require the use of a broom, carpet sweeper, mop, vacuum, and the use of cleaning products
• Must be able to transport self to home visits and off-site trainings and meetings
• Must be able to climb stairs and walk over uneven surfaces, walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, lift approximately 50 pounds (only on an emergency, as-needed basis), sit in a child's size chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels
• Required vaccines:  TDap, MMR, Hep B series
• Must show a negative TB Test and obtain a health provider statement showing free of communicable diseases
• Cleared Portable Background Check through DCYF

This is a classified position reporting to the Education Site Manager.  

For information on applying, please see Application Procedures and Required Documents, below. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. An associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in child development or early childhood education, OR equivalent coursework
2. Two years of experience working in a preschool classroom

 (See Conditions of Employment section for additional requirements.)

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an early learning environment, and onsite/in-person. The ability to sit, bend, stoop, walk and generally move around the classroom and over uneven surfaces to work with children is required. The position requires some lifting and moving up to 50lbs in an emergency situation. Excellent communication skills are essential. This includes the ability to speak clearly and fully comprehend written and spoken English and will include communication with people for whom English is not their first language.  Those who are multilingual are strongly encouraged to apply. 

WORK SCHEDULE:

40 hours per week, Monday - Friday

COMPENSATION:  

Salary range 42.  Beginning salary is $3,796/month.  After July 1, 2024, salary will be $3910/month.  Progressive increases to $4,740 per month, plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 10 sick days per year, 10 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, 3 personal leave days, and 11.67 vacation days per year (incremental increases to 20 vacation days per year).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire. 

Criminal background check. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. 

• All new positions are contingent upon funding. 
• This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. 
• At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.

Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: 

All applicants must apply online. No paper submissions or emailed materials will be accepted. Your online application must include the following documents in order to be complete: 

1. Cover letter that addresses the required qualifications.
2. Current resume. 
3. Names and contact information for three references. 
4. For veterans' preference, please scan and attach your DD214, Member-4 Form. 

Important, if this posting is on an external website other than www.edmonds.edu/hr or Edmonds College Job Opportunities  please follow one of these links to apply. Applying via an external webpage will not enter our application system.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE: 

Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public, four-year, state college. It focuses on academic excellence, student success, and community engagement, which reflect the three aspects of its mission: Teaching | Learning | Community. It serves about 20,000 students annually, including more than 1,000 international students from more than 60 countries. The college offers nearly 70 associate degrees and 60 professional certificates in about 30 programs of study. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The college provides equal opportunity in education and in employment per state and federal law. The college prohibits discrimination against any person due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. For questions about our nondiscrimination policy or gender equality and athletic teams, call our call our Title IX Compliance Officer 425.640.1024.