POSITION SUMMARY: 

 The Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing a comprehensive early intervention preschool program for children whose parents have cognitive difficulties, with the long-range objective of helping the children succeed in public school.  The classroom's structure and practices will be developmentally appropriate to meet the children's needs. This position implements enriching activities consistent with Pearl Buck Preschool's 5 star state rating. In addition the teacher conducts home visits and provides support for families with developmental disabilities/cognitive difficulties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Classroom/Student responsibilities (75%)    

1. Assist Lead Teacher in designing and implementing activities to address needs of individual children: support evaluations of each child; regularly observe and assess children to help determine developmental skill levels; help develop and implement individualized plans and activities for improvement in social, emotional, cognitive, motor and language areas.

2. Suggest and supervise play activities, work with individuals, small groups or the entire class, engage with activities, model social skills (how to enter play, share, problem solve.)

3. Be alert to symptoms of stress in families, especially potential child abuse and neglect by checking children daily and being aware of changes in their behavior and moods.

4. Teach self-help skills such as cleaning up after meals and activities, dental hygiene, dressing and undressing.

5. Model school agreements: We Are Safe, We Are Respectful, We Work Together, We Have Fun.

6. Provide an environment that emphasizes positive encouragement and builds self-confidence in children. Implement Positive Behavior Support strategies including providing positive reinforcement for children's engagement in the school wide agreements.

7. Document children's challenging behaviors, accidents and important communications with parents.

8. Provide support to Lead Teacher and parents including planning curriculum, making home visits, shopping, keeping attendance and meal count records, cleaning and sanitizing classroom, changing table and toys, help with field trips, presentations and Family Nights.

9. Assume the Lead Teacher's responsibilities in his/her absence.

 
B. Parent Contact Responsibilities 10% E)

1. Introduce young children and their parents to preschool routines and activities in a positive manner so as to increase likelihood of later school readiness.

2. Maintain partnership with parents through open communication via phone calls, messages, home visits and periodic visits to the classroom by the parents.

3. Assist Lead Teacher in providing a minimum of 3 home visits each year to each family to help monitor health, safety, and nutrition in the home, support and train parents, and share educational/behavioral progress.

4. Provide parents with support, information, and skill training to assist them to be successful parents.

5. Consult with parents regarding the educational progress and behavioral development of their children.
   
   
6. Assist parents in accurate completion of the USDA/CACFP Confidential Income Statement (CIS), and complete new CIS when changes in house members or income affect eligibility status. Assist with enrollment paperwork and orientation.

 
C. Program Responsibilities (10%)

1. Provide pertinent information about individual children and their families at staff meetings.

2. Participate in internal agency meetings (i.e., all staff meetings, preschool staff meetings).

3. Cooperate with community agencies, such as Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services (DHS/CPS) and Early Childhood Coordination, Assessment and Referral Services (ECCARES) as appropriate.

4. Complete 24 hours of training yearly.

5. Cooperate with Family Support Coordinator and Parent Navigators as appropriate.

 D. Safety Responsibilities (5%)

1. Responsible for safety and welfare of yourself and others.
2. Ensure students are taught safety skills at PBC and in community environments.
3. Ensure safety requirements are practiced as outlined in the safety manual.

QUALIFICATIONS

 A. Education and Experience

1. Associates degree preferred or equivalent education/credential, or be at a Step 8 in the Oregon Registry or have a professional development plan outlining steps to be taken to achieve Step 8.

2. One + years of experience working in Early Childhood Education with young children.

3. Experience working with adults with developmental disabilities/cognitive difficulties preferred.

B. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Licenses

1. Valid Oregon driver's license, including driving record and liability insurance acceptable to PBC and its insurance carrier.
   
   
2. CPR, First Aid & Food Handler Card.

3. Must be able to exercise sound, spontaneous judgment regarding the behavior of at-risk children.

4. Must show an understanding of the characteristics and problems of developmentally disabled adults, and deal with them effectively.

5. Must show a willingness to become trauma-informed and familiarity with the signs/symptoms of trauma.

6. Ability to build and nurture strong and caring relationships with children and families.

7. Must be creative in approaches to educational and behavioral programs for the children.

8. Must understand the need for confidentiality in all matters concerning parents and children.

9. Must have a high degree of professionalism in all aspects of the job.

10. Registered in the Central Background Check.

JOB CONTACTS

1. Daily contact with students in an educational setting.
2. Frequent contact with parents for educational progress reports and to provide emotional support, and parenting skill development. Contact when necessary with other agencies, SCF, school districts, ECCARES, etc.
3. Supervises Teacher, Teacher's Aides, student interns and volunteers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

 A. Environment and Hazards

1. Classroom with counters and sinks, cupboards, tables, chairs, bookshelf, assorted play equipment.

2. Teacher must take care to keep room safe for young children, including proper storage of toxic materials, covering plug outlets, placing tables, chairs, etc. in configurations that allow safe play.

3. Sanitize all surfaces frequently.

 B. Physical and Mental Effort

1. Must be able to be on your feet and moving about all day. May be required to lift and/or hold children.

2. Must be mentally prepared to deal with emergencies such as choking and bodily injury.

3. Must exercise patience in the face of extreme behaviors of children with special needs.