Job Description

Job Summary

Responsible for working directly in the classroom with a direct focus on children 3 to 5 years of

age, including working collaboratively with the assistant teacher to ensure the successful

operation of a school readiness classroom with a total of 15-20 children, working with his/her

team members to plan, monitor and implement content areas and with family members to

implement the curriculum to achieve outcomes for children of all abilities within the Head Start

Program.

Essential Functions

The Teacher/PIC will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions and

behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this position and others

that represent general expectations of all our agency employees.

The Teacher/PIC responsibilities chiefly fall within the following essential functions, although

s/he may perform other tasks and/or duties as assigned. The Teacher/PIC will demonstrate

competency to perform essential functions that include:

1. Provides a safe environment and teaches children safe practices to prevent and reduce

injuries.

1. Teaches children about good nutrition and practices that promote health and wellness.
2. Provides an environment that reduces behavior issues by arranging the classroom and

creating a routine that keeps children's developmental and individual needs in mind.

1. Organizes and uses positive interactions, physical space, materials, daily schedule, and

routines to create a secure, engaging environment that promotes learning, play, and

exploration for all children, including those with disabilities and special needs.

1. Implements curriculum using developmentally appropriate materials, learning experiences,

and teaching strategies to promote curiosity, reasoning, problem-solving, physical

development and other cognitive skills.

1. Promotes children's learning of language, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, social

studies, and the arts.

1. Implements curriculum and strategies that help children communicate thoughts and

feelings, regulate emotions, establish positive relationships, and participate cooperatively

with peers.

1. Assures dual-language learners make progress in understanding and speaking both

English and their home language.

1. Develops a warm, positive, supportive, and responsive relationship with each child; helps

each child learn about and take pride in their individual and cultural identity.

10.Establishes a positive, responsive, cooperative relationship with each child's family;

engages in two-way communication and encourages family involvement. Supports the

child's relationship with his or her family.

11.Communicates and collaborates with staff, parents, and community members who

represent culturally and ethnically diverse populations.

12.Uses observation, documentation, and planning to support children's development and

ensure individualization in classroom planning.

13.Makes decisions based on knowledge of research-based early childhood practices and

promotes high-quality school readiness services.

14.Assists children with differing abilities in daily routines, including diapering and feeding as

needed.

15.Incorporates IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities.

16.Recruits families for all PGCCS options, including maintaining a waiting list.

17.Manages, monitors, and supervises the classroom to meet legal and regulatory

requirements.

18.Maintains child, family, and staff confidentiality.

19.Proficient in utilizing various virtual platforms to facilitate seamless communication and

collaboration.

Minimum Requirements

1. Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE); or Associate degree in a related

field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE, with experience teaching

preschool-age children; or Baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the Teach for

America Program. All education must be from an accredited institution. PGCCS retains the

right to obtain a Teacher Education Waiver from the Office of Head Start as needed.

1. Teacher must be at least 18 years old.
2. Person in Charge (PIC) must be at least 21 years old per BCCL requirements.
3. Two years of pre-school (ages 3-5) classroom teaching experience is preferred.
4. Two years Head Start preschool teaching preferred.
5. Two years of adult supervisory experience preferred.
6. Arizona Driver's License, proof of insurance, fingerprint card, Social Security card, CPR

and First Aid, food handlers, if required, and provide a vehicle for program business.

1. Health Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated every 3 years.
2. Meet all agency, state and federal required immunizations or have an approved exemption

on file

10.Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet, and e-mail.

11.Employee must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.

12.Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.

13.Food Handler's Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable BCCL licensing

requirements.

1. Knowledge of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and how to implement it

within the classroom.

1. Knowledge of early childhood development theory and developmentally appropriate

practice, including strategies for dual-language learners and children with disabilities or

special needs.

Skills:

1. Skilled in implementing curriculum using developmentally appropriate materials, learning

experiences, and teaching strategies across all content areas, including language, literacy,

math, science, technology, social studies, and the arts.

1. Skilled in observation, documentation, and individualized planning to support each child's

development.

1. Strong oral and written communication skills; proficient in utilizing various virtual platforms

to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration.

1. Uses technology tools and classroom software effectively and accurately, completing

required tasks with minimal errors.

Abilities:

1. Ability to supervise preschool-age children in a safe environment and apply early childhood

development theory to individual children's needs.

1. Ability to make frequent, significant decisions and solve problems, including responding

appropriately to an emergency or crisis.

10.Ability to build warm, positive, and responsive relationships with children and families,

honoring each child's individual and cultural identity.

11.Ability to interact respectfully with persons of diverse ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles;

adapts positively to change and pursues continuous learning.

12.Ability to demonstrate/capable understanding of the DCS reporting system and the signs

and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable

accommodation: critical sensory requirements include general vision, specific vision abilities

required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth

perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or listen in the normal range (corrected) and speak

and give directions clearly. Able to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push,

pull or otherwise move objects up to 40 lbs., run 50 feet, and demonstrate exercises – jumping

jacks, leg lifts, etc.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. The

hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and average at least 40 hrs. per

week. There will be work variations in work hours due to special employee projects, deadlines,

and other concerns. PGCCS employees have the possibility of exposure to blood or other

potentially infectious materials through collateral duty to their routine work assignments, such

as rendering first aid if need arises, and seldom exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors,

dust, mold, and poor ventilation.