Teacher
POSITION DESCRIPTION

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: This position is required to have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood
education or child development; a bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minor in Early Childhood
Education or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a CDA credential. Experience is preferred in the
field of early childhood education but not required. Proficiency in various computer programs in Microsoft
365, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint Publisher, Word, and a variety of other program wide software.

QUALIFICATIONS: This position is required to perform the duties outlined in this job description. The
Teacher is to have a working knowledge of the developmental and educational needs of children; be able
to lead, teach and be a good example for children and their families. This position will have an interest and
concern for the philosophy and concept of the Head Start Program. Head Start children and families will
always come first, in this Head Start Program, above all defined duties, perceived responsibilities and/or
personal priorities!
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. and occasionally heavier items.
WORK ENVIORONMENT: Work is generally performed in an indoor, office setting, well-lit, well-ventilated,
heated, and air-conditioned environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but
during class time, it can become noisy.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is expected to work a total of 8 hours per day Monday through Friday in
accordance with the Head Start calendar.

SUPERVISION: This position is accountable to the Education Coordinator assigned to their area. The
teacher will lead all other staff in the classroom to have a high functioning room. This position does not
oversee any positions or departments.

EVALUATION: The Education Coordinator will evaluate this position. They will conduct a 90-day review
upon hire and yearly, thereafter.

Revised 1/2025

OBJECTIVES:

1. To plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual, physical, social and
emotional development of children by putting into practice theories and sound principles of early
childhood education.
2. To evaluate children’s developmental progress through observations, samples of children’s work,
parent reports, with the assistance of other classroom staff, then report progress to families.
3. To encourage the involvement of the families of the children in Head Start, embrace the role of the
parent as the primary educator of the child and promote and support the development of
relationships between children and their families.
4. To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
5. To monitor center staff, weekly staff meetings and act as a resource for center staff.
6. To continue to improve in all areas as a person through continued education, training opportunities
and evaluation recommendations.

Essential Duties; Responsibilities

Key Result Area #1: Interacting with Children, Lesson Planning and Evaluating

Progress

1. Provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions.
2. Plan and implement learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate, include all areas of
development, and provide for the individual needs of the children in the class.
3. Plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation, promote
child progress and school readiness skills by providing interactive, engaging learning activities
throughout the day.
4. Arrange the classroom to provide a safe, healthy learning environment that allows for the full
inclusion of children with special needs.
5. Ensure that all areas of classroom planning; lesson plans, books, equipment, speakers, etc. reflect
various cultures and backgrounds.
6. Attend IEPs/other developmental meetings to provide input on the child’s development, perceived
needs and to act on behalf of the child/family, if requested.
7. Maintain up-to-date records on each child including all information included on the file checklist and
any additional, relative information.

Revised 1/2025
8. Use assessment and promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start
Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and
development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as
appropriate
9. Assess children’s progress through observations, samples of the children’s work, parent report and
record using the Teaching Strategies GOLD Program. Inform parents of children’s progress 3 times
throughout the year and allow for parental input of what steps should be taken to further
development.
10. Use information from child assessment to make informed decisions about classroom set up, lesson
planning and individualized instruction needed for each child.
11. Submitting required paperwork in a timely manner (including, but not limited to, lesson plans,
attendance, weekly staff meeting minutes).
12. Meet once a month or as needed with Education and Family Service Coordinators to evaluate
children’s progress and the operation of the unit

Key Result Area #2: Working with Families

1. Relate to families in an open, considerate and friendly manner.
2. Provide communication in ways that are understandable to all families, including using interpreters,
providing information and messages in family’s home language to relay program information and
services.
3. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family, showing consideration for each
family’s culture and values.
4. Involve parents directly by keeping in close contact with them concerning their child’s developmental
progress, concerns and needs.
5. Encourage families to become involved with their Head Start child through volunteering in the
classroom, sharing ideas for the daily classroom activities, providing input for the next steps to take
to promote their child’s developmental progress, becoming involved with the parent group and Policy
Council, or in any way they can.
6. Work closely with the Family Service Coordinator to plan for parent/child activities that enhance the
specific developmental needs of the children.
7. Provide educational information to families on various child development and safety issues and/or
refer them to the appropriate community resource.
8. Being responsive to parents’ concerns about themselves and their family and referring them to the
appropriate Head Start staff and/or community resources for assistance.
9. Attend monthly parent meetings and give an update on classroom activities and needs.

Key Result Area #3: Managing the Classroom

1. Ensure that the classroom is safe and healthy by completing a health and safety checklist along with
visual daily inspections.

Revised 1/2025
2. Ensure that children are always monitored, making sure the proper adult/child ratios are met, the
pertinent emergency information is available and up to date, and that proper procedures are
followed in the event of an emergency.
3. Provide appropriate guidance to children by teaching clear expectations, being proactive, redirecting
misbehavior and appropriately handling student behavior.
4. Monitor and act as a resource for center staff, relating in an open and friendly manner.
5. Include center staff in planning, implementing, and observing activities for children and families.
6. Complete inventories on all materials and equipment in classroom.
7. Janitorial duties as needed.

Key Result Area #4: Leadership

1. Provide leadership and guidance to the center staff to ensure effective and efficient communication,
relay expectations, answer questions and problem solve to carry out the program objectives.
2. Promote teamwork through positive communication, clear expectations, and a common goal of
meeting the needs of the children and families in the program.
3. Monitor and act as a resource for center staff, relating in an open and friendly manner.
4. Make informed decisions within the realm of the position, with guidance from their Education
Coordinator when needed, and inform necessary people of the decision.
5. Conduct weekly center staff meetings and file documentation for future reference.
6. Assist with interviewing candidates for support staff positions.

Key Result Area #5: Administrative Responsibilities

1. Complete and submit the required paperwork/assessments in a timely manner (i.e. lesson plans,
attendance, in-kind, etc.).
2. Enter applicable information into computer tracking systems in a timely manner (i.e. Teaching
Strategies GOLD and ChildPlus).
3. Assist with child developmental screening.
4. Attend and be actively involved in monthly in-service training.
5. Continually assess the Head Start program and provide input/suggestions for improving services to
children and families and the overall program.

Key Result Area #6: Community Representative

Revised 1/2025
1. Have knowledge of community resources to be able to link families with appropriate services and
agencies.
2. Encourage in-kind from the community through field trips, speakers, classroom volunteers, etc.
3. Relating in an open and friendly manner and acting as a positive representative of Head Start while
working with vendors and people in the community.

Key Result Area #7: Professional Development

1. Attend meetings, trainings, seminars and monthly in-services as deemed appropriate; this may
include out-of-town/state travel.
2. Maintain current, required education credentials and submit a copy to the main office to be kept in
employee file (check with HR to verify most updated is on file).
3. To read all related directives, standards and plans to keep up to date with local, state and federal
educational standards.
4. The Teacher will strictly follow, and then lead by example, in all Head Start Policy and Procedures
and Performance Standards daily.

Unit Staff Benefits (Fulltime)

o Sick Leave – 80 hours (15 minute increments) Can carry over into next
year up to 192 hours. 64 hours added at start of new contract year.
o Personal Leave – 24 hours (usable after 65 working day probationary
period) must be used in program year. 16 hours will be paid out at the end
of year if unused.
o Avera Health Plan – Paid by employer 100%. (single plan only, family plan
available)
o Vision Plan – Paid by employer 100%. (single plan only, family plan
available)
o Dental Plan- Paid by employee. (single and family plans)
o Life Insurance Policy – Paid by employer $75,000. (single plan only, other
plans available)
o Aflac Policies – available upon request, assortment of policies.
o 401K Retirement Plan – 6% employer match – Contingent upon funding.
(Eligible after one year of employment)
o Option to be paid as earned (Hourly) – 13 pay periods or through the
summer (Salary) – 26 pay periods. Payroll is every other Friday.
o Employee Assistance Program.

To Apply go to

 nesdhs.org

Email or call Renae:

605-229-4506

rscherbenske@nesdhs.org

** This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other
reasonably related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and/or other management as
required.**

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