Head Start Teacher

Under the general supervision of the Education Director, or Designee, and as part of the KarukHead Start team, the teacher will be responsible for supervising the Teacher’sAssistants and Center Assistants. The Teacher is responsible for implementingall the Head Start Program Performance Standards and provides general classroom oversight in tracking, data entry, and participation in classroom operationsincluding but not limited to; planning, assessments, organizing and maintainingaccuracy in all paperwork related to program requirements within requiredtimelines; aid support parents, staff and program volunteers, Also personally followsand ensures staff follow all established policies and procedures. The Teacheris expected to demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the culture ofthe Karuk Tribe. The Teacher is expected to serve as a Mandated Reporter asrequired by Head Start Performance Standards and recertify training as required.

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1.   Supervises and oversees all classroom teaching staff and classroom operations.  

2.   Completes all thirty (30),forty-five (45), and ninety-day (90) requirements as mandated by the Office of Head Start and in compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standardsand enters data into the Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD® data entry system.  

3.   Creates a developmentally appropriate educational plan for each child that includes the following components: problem solving, language acquisition, self-regulation, social skills, group cooperation, independence, social, emotional and cognitive and physical development; ensures the curriculum is culturally appropriate,implements school readiness goals, and reflects the cultural population of thechildren served.  

4.   Screens/assesses children using assigned developmentally appropriate tools to identify children who may be at risk incognitive and emotional, physical, and social development, and shares the information with the parents/guardians in an appropriate manner.  

5.   Creates individualized instruction to meet the needs of children with varying developmental levels and abilities.

6.    Creates and maintains a safe, engaging and positive classroom environment that facilitates active learning, self-expression and encourages parent/guardian involvement.  

7.    Prepares weekly lesson plans and monthly teachers report to be submitted to the Education Director, or Designee, by the appointed time each month.    

8.    Conducts home visits and parent-teacher conferences as required by the Head Start Performance Standards.

9.    Uses only curriculum that has been approved by the Tribe’s Policy and Tribal Councils.  

10.   Attends Karuk Language Class twice per month, through an online platform, on a day and time agreed upon with the Director.

11.   Works with the Head Start Cook to plan and implement nutrition education activities for the children; provides nutritional education and information to the parents/guardians; encourages parent/guardian participation in the classroom.

12.   Seeks and provides community resources to enhance the daily program operation and make information accessible to the parents/guardians.  

13.   Works with the Policy Council/Parent Committee Representative to support effective communication with parents/guardians.  

14.   Provides in-kind activities for parent/child engagement and encourages parent/guardian participation in classroom activities or family engagement events Collects in-kind documentation weekly and provides documentation to the Education Director, and/or Designee,as required.  

15.   Integrates tribal history,traditions, stories, language, songs and cultural teachings into dailyclassroom instruction.

16.   Collaborate with tribal elders and language instructors to develop culturally relevant learning experiences.

17.   Supports the preservation of Karuk language and culture through classroom activities.

18.    Ensures that no child is ever left alone; provides supervision of the children at all times ensuring that all children are safe and, in the teacher’s, or staff’s, line of sight at all times.    

19.   Coordinates with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator and Family Advocate to implement emergency drills according to the Emergency Plan (i.e. fire drills, bus evacuation, earthquakesor other natural disasters).  

20.   Conducts and documents a minimum oftwo (2) home visits and two (2) parent conferences per year.  

21.   Reports suspicions of physical, social and emotional abuse or neglect of children to the Education Director and to the appropriate county and/or law enforcement agency. Must be willing to recertify each year.  

22.   Adheres to Tribe's and Program's confidentiality and personnel policies.

23.   Be available for local and out of the area travel as required for job related training and various activities.

24.   Attends all required meetings, trainings and functions.

25.   Be polite and maintain a priority system in accepting other job-related duties, as assigned.

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1.    Cultural Competency: Exhibits appropriate respect for culturally significant artifacts and spaces. Must have some knowledge of the Karuk culture.  

2.    Professionalism: Is aware of the potential impact of own attitudes and behaviors and makes appropriate adjustments to assure that communication with children, parents, and otherstaff is purposeful and appropriate. Demonstrates respect, honesty, integrity,and fairness to all.  Follows policiesand procedures, and is knowledgeable of the Head Start Program PerformanceStandards.  

3.    Teamwork:  Strives to be “solution-focused” and presents challenges with recommendations for solutions that best meet the needs of Karuk Head Start children, parents, and staff. Maintains constructive team relationships, coordinates effective goal sand identifies/plans ways to successfully work together.  Demonstrates flexibility and is able to adapt or change.

4.    Program Support:  Supports, cooperates and assists to meet the goals of all components of the Karuk Head Start Program in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with parents and co-workers.

5.    Professional Development:  Participates in ongoing professional development including training and meetings as determined by the Education Director and/or Designee.

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1.    Must have, or be able to complete within 1-year of hire, an Associates of Arts degree (AA) in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

2.   Two (2) years’ experience teaching children ages 3-5. .  

3.   One (1) year experience supervising staff.

4.   Must follow all Head Start Policies and Procedures and follow all Head Start Program Performance Standards.

5.   Must be certified, or able to be certified, in First Aid and Child Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within one month of hire and must have the ability to be recertified as required.  

6.  Must be certified or able to be certified in Mandated Reporting and follow all reporting requirements within one-month of hire. Must be willing to berecertified as required.

7.   Must complete annual Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

8.   Must protect tribal resources, equipment, records, and property and immediately report suspected misuse, loss, damage or unauthorized removal of property to the Education Director, or designee.

9.    Must sign and adhere to the Karuk Tribal Head Start Handbook, Employee Conduct and Confidentiality Statement, and the Karuk Tribe Personnel Policies.  

10.   Must be able to frequently bend over, squat, lift, and occasionally carry up to 50lbs.  

11.   Must be willing to attend Karuk Language Classes on an online platform and implement language within classroom and lesson plans.

12.   Must demonstrate the ability to successfully work within a tribal government while demonstrating respect for tribal sovereignty, tribal customs, traditions, protocols, cultural artifacts, culturally relevant spaces and cultural values in all interactions.

13.   Must be able to demonstrate sound and mature judgment.

14.   Must have knowledge of trauma-informed care in indigenous communities.

15.   Must submit to an initial medical examination and Tuberculosis (TB) test. Must be willing to submit to periodic rescreens for medical examination and TB tested every two years.

16.   Must be willing to submit to fingerprinting rescreen every five years.

17.   Must possess valid driver's license, good driving record, and be insurable by the Tribe's insurance carrier.

18.   Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

19.  Must adhere to required pre-employment background check, Crimcheck and FBI fingerprints. Additionally, (IF applicable): Investigationof character as required by the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Act(ICPFVP). The minimum standards require an investigation that shall include: a check of fingerprint files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and toappropriate local law enforcement agencies. The applicant must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of no contest or guilty plea to anyfelonious offenses or two or more misdemeanor offenses under Federal, State, orTribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation,contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; an offense committed againstchildren.

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