Head Start Lead Teacher

The Head Start Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining the Head Start educational program by working with low-income families using a two-generation trauma informed approach. Build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives. Form strong partnerships with each family by soliciting and valuing their perspective on their child’s education to create individual learning goals. Use a multidisciplinary team approach to reduce the impact of trauma and improve child outcomes for school success by building children’s resiliency through trauma-sensitive practices. Support the daily implementation approved, researched-based, curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. Develop lesson plans that include individualized instruction for English language learners, children with disabilities, and children who demonstrate competencies beyond typical developmental expectations. Utilize observation-based early childhood assessment systems to track each child’s unique development. Provide continual guidance and support to co-teachers, substitute teachers, and classroom aids. Support the recruitment efforts of family and community volunteers and track in kind classroom hours. Comply with all Head Start performance standards and state childcare licensing requirements.

Job Posting Closes at 11:59PM on:

09/08/26

Division:

Head Start Division

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility:

This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

Description:

• Develop and implement lesson plans that include large groups, small groups, and individualized play-based instruction to meet each child’s unique developmental needs.  Ensure concepts and skills are relevant to the children’s everyday lives, ask questions to encourage analysis and reasoning, and provide feedback to enhance learning. Provide guidance and support to co-teachers, classroom aids, and volunteers to ensure developmentally appropriate Head Start practices and childcare licensing requirements are met at all times.

• Utilize trauma-sensitive practices that acknowledge children's feelings and emotions, show care and concern for others, teaches problem-solving, and maintaining healthy relationships.  Create calm and predictable routines and environments that are responsive to the unique needs of children experiencing trauma and poverty.

• Use specific strategies with families to provide home language support to all English-language learners.

• Abide by Colorado Adult and Child Food Program Guidelines to offer family style dining for each meal served during the school day to ensure rich conversations and language development opportunities.  

• Collaborate with the Special Education Team (SPED) to support children with IEP’s and track progress on their specific goals. Create MTSS (Multi-tiered Systems of Support) goals for children that may have a suspected developmental delay and collect the necessary data needed to support SPED referrals.  Attend IEP meetings. 

• Build family engagement and develop relationships with families through ongoing interactions that are responsive to the strengths, interests, needs, and culture of the family.

• Conduct family visits prior to the child’s first day of school to partner with the parent as the child’s first educator to empower parents to make decisions about their child’s educational experiences, and to create individual child school readiness goals.  Conduct a second family visit in the spring to reflect on the school experiences of the child and the family.  Complete two family-teacher conferences throughout the school year reviewing child outcomes and set new developmental goals. 

• Raise match funds for the program by supporting families in tracking learning opportunities at home that are connected to the learning taking place in the classroom.  Help identify families that could benefit from partnering with Jeffco Prosperity Partners to gain specialized supports to obtaining self-sufficiency.

• Complete and maintain inter-rater reliability to collect and enter documentation to assess the development in specific domains, identified for school success.  Use child outcome data collected to determine if any child is below, meeting, or exceeding the typical developmental expectations and then develop an individualized plan to support each child’s specific developmental needs.

• Participate in two weeks of annual professional and educational development. Participate in on-going monthly opportunities focused on trauma informed care, social determinants of health, family engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Attend monthly group coaching sessions to collaborate and learn from specialists and peers.  Maintain credential in Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS).

• Other duties as assigned.
   

Early Head Start Lead Teacher

Required - CDA or State-awarded credential that meets or exceeds a CDA at hire.

Head Start Lead Teacher

Required - CDA or State-awarded credential that meets or exceeds a CDA at hire, and

• Commitment of being enrolled in an institution of higher education seeking a qualified degree
• Commitment of qualifications will be completed within 3 years.

Education:

Experience:

Work Experience: Minimum two years

Certifications:

CPR/First Aid/AED - State of Colorado

Languages:

Category:

Health & Human Services