Join our Head Start Team Today!
Preschool Head Teacher
SCCDC is seeking a Head Start Teacher for the 2026 - 2027 program year. Lead the classroom team in providing a quality education experience for preschool children in our Head Start program. Develop and implement daily lesson plans and activities to promote the cognitive, physical and social-emotional needs of 3-5 year olds enrolled in a center based program. Create a safe and welcoming learning environment and encourage family involvement in the classroom. This is a part year position offering a generous leave time package to include sick and personal time, plus holidays, snow days and school recesses.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with equivalent course work perferred; or an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field with equivalent course work; or a current CDA (Child Development Associate) appropriate for the age group with a waiver approved by the Office of Head Start. Experience working with preschool children in a classroom setting.
All SCCDC positions require Three Letters of Reference, OCFS Clearance, Physical with Tuberculin Test, and a valid NYS Driver’s License required.
Starting Rate: $19.70 - $21.50 Based on Qualifications and Experience
$700.00 Sign-on Bonus!
Benefits:
- Health, Dental & Vision Plans Available
- 401(k) Plan
- Simplified Employee Pension
- AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
- Employer Sponsored Short-Term Disability Benefits
- Generous Paid Leave including Sick, Personal, Holidays, Snow Days & School Recesses
- Continuing Education & Tuition Assistance Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Foregiveness (PSLF) Program
TITLE: Head Teacher
REPORTS TO: Center Director
HOURS PER WEEK: 40
GENERAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Provide supervision to all classroom staff and volunteers.
- Implement a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate classroom experience in accordance with the agency curriculum and Head Start Performance Standards.
- Establish positive and productive relationships with parents, encouraging them to participate in all aspects of the Head Start program.
- Implement teaching and behavior support practices associated with the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children.
Education and School Readiness
Plan and facilitate quality classroom experiences that support SCCDC School Readiness Goals.
Develop, implement, and evaluate weekly lesson plans in accordance with the agency curriculum, Head Start Education Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Head Start Performance Standards.
Conduct developmental and behavioral screenings for all children within 45 days of enrollment.
Use a web-based system to conduct ongoing assessment of children’s growth and development. Use data generated to plan for individualized learning experiences for all children.
Family and Community Engagement
Support Family Engagement in all aspects of the Head Start program.
- Foster the belief in parents that they are their child’s best teachers and reinforce these concepts with practical suggestions for development.
- Conduct regularly scheduled home visits and parent/teacher conferences.
- Share assessment data and observations with parents and ensure parental input in individualized planning for each child.
- Maintain regular communication with all families through phone contacts, emails, and Class Dojo. Document all significant contacts with families.
Participate in holistic and coordinated services across program service areas, to include the use of Family Support Conferences.
Health & Safety
Obtain CPR/First Aid Certification and Medication Administration Training Certification (MAT) as requested by supervisor.
Incorporate health practices, to include but not limited to, handwashing, tooth brushing, family style meals and toileting into the daily routine of the classroom.
Provide families health education on a variety of topics at Home Visits and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Include health education, to include allergies, into the lesson plans regularly.
Partner with Family Advocates to support individual health needs of children and families.
- Ensure all Health Care and Allergy Plans are strictly adhered to in the classroom. Ensure allergies are posted as required and communicated to all staff assigned to the classroom.
- Look for patterns in daily health logs and reach out for support as needed.
- Review/update MAT books as scheduled.
Maintain first aid and health care supplies in classroom.
Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment.
Implement the Supervision of Children Procedure to ensure that all children are always supervised.
Mental Health and Disabilities Services
Implement appropriate, trauma informed, classroom management techniques, in accordance with the SCCDC Behavior Management Policy.
Collaborate with families, teaching team and managers to make referrals for evaluation and implement Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for children as needed.
Attend IEP meetings, as appropriate, prepared to contribute information and suggest strategies.
Act as the primary contact with therapists and itinerant teachers serving children in their Classroom, working in partnership to implement the IFSP or IEP goals.
ERSEA
Partner with families and staff to encourage and support attendance as a priority for school readiness.
Complete daily attendance records.
Training and Professional Development
Provide supervision to classroom staff, including but not limited to:
- Provide direction to all staff and volunteers in the classroom setting.
- Assist in completing yearly performance reviews for Assistant Teacher and Classroom Aide.
Be an active participant in the ongoing monitoring process, engaging in discussion and planning following classroom observations.
Utilize classroom level child outcomes data to direct professional growth and improved classroom practices.
Facilities and Learning Environments
Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment.
Complete regular safety checks of learning environments per agency policy.
Work as a Member of the SCCDC, Inc. Team
- Represent the agency mission and values in all aspects of your work.
- Support the culture of continuous improvement and data driven decision making.
- Demonstrate principles of the agency’s Trauma-Informed approach when interacting with families, children, and staff.
- Integrate the Family Engagement Framework into all areas of program development and service delivery.
- Submit all required records and complete all assigned duties in a timely manner.
- Adhere to agency confidentiality policy, comply with mandated child abuse and maltreatment requirements, and implement all agency policies, procedures, and structures.
- Participate in professional development activities, attending all staff meetings and trainings as requested.
- Complete all other duties assigned by supervisor or Executive Director.
- Adhere to all agency guidelines, philosophy of supervision and accompanying guidelines in all interactions with staff.
