Purpose

The Substitute Teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach in a developmentally appropriate, high quality early childhood experience for the children and families enrolled in the Berkshire County Head Start learning program. The Substitute Teacher demonstrates understanding of the growth and development of children and uses knowledge of the principles of family engagement to support families in their roles as their child’s first and most important teacher. This position is on a per day basis, supporting classrooms as needed and may be at any location.

Essential Duties

Growth & Development of Children

• Under the direction of teaching staff, implements activities and learning environments that promote optimal development for each child.
• Applies knowledge of factors that influence growth and development to ensure safe and supportive environments where each child can be engaged in learning experiences that foster individual educational, emotional, and physical development.
• Under the direction of teaching staff, implements activities and environments that foster cognitive development in each child.
• Supports predetermined learning experiences and environments that promote the development of positive social/emotional skills.
• Applies best practices that reflect the importance of social-emotional development.

Guiding & Interacting with Children

• Supports activities and maintains environments that respect and value the diversity of the group.
• Encourages a culture that is accepting and respectful of individual differences.

Regulations, Requirements, and Policies

• Supports policies and practices that are respectful and inclusive of all families.
• Assists with bus transportation as assigned.

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

• Supports routines and activities to support children in developing appropriate hand washing practices and other self-care activities.
• Maintains clean, healthy, and safe classroom environments and monitors for possible hazards.
• Follows all protocols to assure children are released to authorized persons only.
• Supports educational activities to provide children with nutritional information and ensures that activities are responsive to multiple cultures.
• Displays food handling practices to prevent food borne illness and food spoilage.

Learning Environments & Implementing Curriculum

• Encourages a learning environment that supports individual exploration, discovery, abilities, and stimulation.
• Under the direction of teaching staff, displays developmentally appropriate engaging, hands-on curriculum that covers all developmental domains.
• Under the direction of teaching staff, supports planned learning experiences that is individualized and developmentally appropriate for all children, including indoor and outdoor activities, and transitions.
• Under the direction of teaching staff, is aware of the contents of children’s individual plans.

Professionalism & Leadership

• Models and promotes organizational values.
• Maintains confidentiality of information about children and families

Requirements

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.

Experience

Minimum of (2) years’ experience teaching in an early learning environment.

Must maintain an active, updated Professional Qualifications Registry account

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred requirements

Current MA EEC Infant/Toddler or Preschool Lead Teacher Certification.

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education, Special Education or a related field

Bilingual in Spanish and English

CPR/First Aid Certification