General Function: Provides leadership to families, staff, and volunteers in helping to create and implement a quality early childhood program.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides an open, inviting, and safe learning environment.
Establishes classroom staffing patterns that support child safety and meets the performance standards and requirements.
Provides positive guidance to children, encouraging self-discipline and problem-solving.
Implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on individual children’s strengths, needs, interests, and cultural background.
Works with families to create the educational curriculum through implementation of individual programs based on strengths, needs and interests using an on-going assessment.
Ensures completion of assessments on each child and includes families in the process.
Develops individualized program plans for each child.
Conducts timely parent conferences.
Participates in Home Visits with families as needed.
Uses on-going assessment information to develop lesson plans.
Record daily anecdotal observations of children and enter data into the online child assessment tool.
Works jointly with families to help them develop quality life experiences.
Encourages and develops activities which promote family involvement.
Provides guidance and support at parent center meetings (family activity nights).
Models skills which promote healthy environments for children.
Networks families with agencies and each other.
Promotes preventative wellness.
Provides competent center management.
Carries out Performance Standards and established federal and local guidelines.
Expends classroom funds to meet program goals.
Notifies the Head Start office and school of absences as soon as possible and leaves adequate plans for substitutes.
Takes care of school property and resource materials.
Attends and participates in staff meetings (Head Start and school building, as appropriate).
Provides support, training and feedback for staff, families and volunteers.
Trains and guides assistants and volunteers.
Evaluates assistants and volunteers on a timely basis.
Practices and encourages open communication.
Promotes effective problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Promotes and respects the Code of Ethical Conduct as set forth by the NAEYC.
Maintains a professional manner and appearance at all times.
Insures confidentiality.
Participates in the development and implementation of a professional development plan.
Adheres to a mandatory reporting policy for child abuse and neglect.
Completes all other duties as assigned.
Scope of position: Reports to the director. Directly supervises a staff of 1 to 8 and provides leadership for volunteers. Receives limited supervision with responsibilities defined by School District and Head Start Performance Standards. Work assessment is primarily based on goal achievement and client satisfaction. Position includes solving problems with staff and children. It requires the ability to select and interpret appropriate guidelines and procedures.
This position is accountable for center budget adherence and ensuring integrity of Family Activity Fund. Primary contacts are with staff and volunteers to supervise, train, coach and facilitate individual child development. Typical contacts also include school district employees. Ongoing professional development is an integral part of the position.
Knowledge, skills and technical ability: Bachelor Degree with a teaching certificate in one of the following:
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Early Childhood Special Education
Elementary Education with a Child Development Associate (CDA)
Family and Child Development with a certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Willing to certify:
CPR
First Aid
Must pass prior to starting position:
TB skin test
Kansas Bureau of Investigation background check
Physical Exam
Requires:
Proficient communication skills including oral, written, and small group facilitation.
Interpersonal skills to effectively lead and motivate staff, families, and volunteers.
Advanced organizational and decision-making skills to concurrently teach and manage staff, children, parents, volunteers, and resources.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule and as a team player.
Valid Driver’s License and reliable means of transportation.
Working conditions: Spends approximately 65% of the time in the classroom, facilitating learning experiences for children, supervising staff and volunteers; 30% in an office environment, planning and processing paperwork; and 5% off-site, which includes home visits. Classroom conditions include a high noise level and fast paced schedule. Physical requirements include frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs; occasional lifting and moving of 50 lbs; bending, squatting, and kneeling occur frequently on a daily basis; and fine manipulation occurs frequently.
Salary: Based on USD 489 Teacher Salary Schedule.
Benefits Information
Full District Paid Single Medical and Dental Coverage
Free Annual Eye Exams with Medical Coverage
Ancillary and Voluntary offerings include Vision Materials Coverage
District Paid Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life
Short Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Identify Theft Insurance
Flexible Spending options for Medical Expenses and Dependent Day Care
District contribution to Health Saving Account
District contribution to 403b retirement plan in addition to KPERS - State of Kansas Retirement
Paid Time Off
Seasonal Breaks, Weekends, Holidays Off
Tuition Assistance partnership with FHSU
Salary Information
Compensation: $46435 - $68085, depending on professional development and years of experience.
Employer Information
Hays School District has about 3,000 students that are enrolled in a high school, middle school, four elementary schools, and an alternative school. The staff of Unified School District No. 489 are recognized throughout Kansas and across the nation as leaders in educational excellence.
Hays Public Schools enjoy tremendous support from the community. Through this support, USD 489 is able to offer programs like all-day, kindergarten, the smallest class sizes in the state for districts our size, and a longer school year. An extensive special education program serves children with special needs. Early childhood programs serve children and their families in a three-county area from before-birth to age six. Technology, throughout the district, is used to supplement and strengthen the instructional program. The most noticeable aspect of our technology is in our ratio of students to computers. At Hays High and the middle schools it is 1:1; and 2:1 in the elementary schools.
While doing an excellent job on the test score race, the staff continues to seek to develop the creativity, curiosity, and problem solving skills of students as well. The challenges of the future are best dealt with by applying creativity and foresight to a solid foundation. We are equipped at USD 489.
To learn more about our schools, visit our website at www.usd489.com
