Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

This position serves as the Lead of a teaching team in a classroom of preschool children. This position plans

and implements a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool children

that promotes developmental gains toward the attainment of kindergarten readiness skills as defined in the

Head Start Program Performance Standards, The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning

Framework, and Kindergarten Readiness Goals. Behavior and actions in the classroom, with families, the

community, and with staff serve as a model of excellence. Because this position is one part of a large system

of services provided to children and families, this position also serves as a social service referral person and

shares responsibility for parent involvement in the program. The position may be reassigned to various

classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. The position may serve as “program

director” for child care licensing purposes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be

assigned.

Professional Development

1. Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings, as required

by Head Start and Michigan state licensing.

1. Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including

Head Start Performance Standards, Michigan child care licensing regulations, and other applicable

regulations and practices.

1. Keeps up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
2. Maintains knowledge of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and

injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.

1. Able to work with children at all levels of development.
2. Maintains professional certification that the employee was hired with or obtained to meet Head Start

and ISD standards.

1. Successfully completes and maintains basic First Aid, CPR certification, and required licensing training.
2. Actively participates in opportunities for continuous professional development.

Preschool Program Implementation

1. Participates in the delivery of Head Start services as defined by Head Start Performance Standards

and Saginaw ISD Head Start Operational Procedures.

1. Establishes a safe, healthy, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for

children birth to five and children with all abilities.

1. Ensure that learning environments are safe from hazards, free from clutter, and allow for visibility of

children by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist.

1. The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in

accordance with established policies, procedures, and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and

HIPAA.

1. Fosters self-esteem, self-direction, self-control, and school readiness skills with preschool children by

using positive methods and modeling and participating in curriculum development and implementation.

1. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline, including

the ability to support and guide students with challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate

practices.

1. Complies with program curriculum, curriculum overlays, and supplemental curriculum, State of

Michigan Licensing for child care centers, and the Head Start Program Performance Standards

1. Screens, observes and assesses children’s development on a regular basis, analyzes data and makes

plans or referrals specific to the needs of the individual child.

1. Participates in recruitment activities and transportation services
2. Assists with kitchen duties as necessary, i.e., warming up food, dishing food into bowls, taking food

temperatures, and cleaning refrigerator and warmer.

1. Assists with bus aide duties as necessary, i.e., riding the bus, completing bus paperwork, and buckling

children in seats on the bus.

1. Supervises and eats nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity to model

good nutrition, proper social skills, and language stimulation in a family-style environment as listed in

the Head Start Performance Standards.

1. Staff may be asked to cover other classrooms to meet licensing ratios.

Record Keeping

1. Submits weekly/monthly paperwork and progress reports to the supervisor as scheduled.
2. Supervises or orders supplies as needed and takes inventory as requested.
3. Maintains child records in cooperation with the Family Advocate(s).
4. Gathers and maintains individual, family, and classroom data for documentation, screening, ongoing

assessment, evaluation, and record-keeping for successful individual and program planning.

1. Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-

federal share requirement.

Parent Involvement and Community Relations

1. Supports monthly Parent Club meetings at the center.
2. Schedules and arranges meetings, and documents parent-teacher conferences and home visits as

required.

1. Models, mentors, and supervises all classroom volunteers, including parents who come into the

classroom.

1. Works closely with the local school system(s), as appropriate, for shared activities, registration, and

smooth transition.

1. Virtual if needed

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Direct supervision means those employees take the position, direct, and evaluates the duties. This position is

the first step for conflict resolution.

Positions supervised:

• Associate Teacher
• Program Support Aide in the classroom (if applicable)
• Substitutes (while working in the classroom)
• Classroom Volunteers (if applicable)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development.
• Ability to use Active Supervision strategies to keep children safe by: Setting up the environment to be

able to see children around the room at all times, Position yourself to see and hear all children in your

care, Count and use Face to Name while transitioning in and out of the classroom, Listen for potential

danger, Anticipate children’s behavior to predict what the child will do next, and Engage and Redirect to

assist the children and help solve problems.

• Extensive computer knowledge of Word and Excel. Also, the ability to access e-mail and knowledge of

ChildPlus and Teaching Strategies Gold and/or willingness to learn programs as needed

• Knowledge of basic supervision.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect reporting and child

care licensing requirements.

• Ability to demonstrate extensive knowledge, skills, and a positive attitude in the field of early childhood

education.

• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management,

referral sources, and the public.

• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.
• Knowledge of basic food preparation, serving, and sanitation procedures.
• Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Ability to engage in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child

relationships and family well-being.

• Ability to respect and respond appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of

each family served.

• Ability to enhance the parent-child relationship and support parents’ role as the first and life-long

educators of their children.

• Ability to act as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are

coordinated and integrated throughout the program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Noise levels in the work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may be required for attendance at conferences, meetings, or other

duties at distant locations, in and out of state. In some cases, overnight travel may be required.

• Some evening and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-

teacher conferences, Parent Club meetings, and social and community events.

• Riding the bus may be required.

This position works in a preschool classroom with child-size furniture and seating. The position requires

sitting in child-sized chairs and on the floor; adverse driving conditions; bending; stretching; extended sitting;

extended standing; extended walking; stair climbing; kneeling; crouching; reaching; fine and gross motor

skills; coordination of hands-fine and gross; eye/hand/foot coordination; visual memory and discrimination;

auditory memory and discrimination; reading and writing ability; judgment; simple and complex decision

making; and lifting up to 75 pounds. This position is covered by the OSHA Final Rule Blood borne Pathogens

Act, Category A, with the potential for exposure to communicable diseases and pests such as head lice. This

position is a mandated reporter of child abuse/neglect and must have a Department of Human Services child

abuse and neglect clearance.

QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor or Advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor’s and coursework equal to a major in

Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool. Must be willing to obtain Administrative

training within six months of employment. Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of

Head Start, early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practice. Must be willing and able to

obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis and drug

screening results, a clear criminal records check, and an initial health exam are required after the job offer

and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start employees, students, and parents will receive

preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Personal qualifications require emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program,

respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health

that does not interfere with responsibilities. Also, education or experience in collaborating with parents in the

education of their children.

SALARY

• School Year Pay Range: $31,000-$43,297/annually (Based on Credentials)
• Year Round Pay Range: $40,000-$56,287/annually (Based on Credentials)

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources

Saginaw Intermediate School District

3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603

Telephone: (989) 799-4733, Fax: (989) 249-8756

Email: personnel@sisd.cc Web: www.sisd.cc