Early Head Start Teacher

About COTS

For 40 years, COTS (www.cotsdetroit.org) has been committed to serving the most vulnerable members of the Detroit community by providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and wraparound services for more adults and children daily. COTS supports more than 1,000 heartbeats daily and is on a mission to create opportunities for families overcoming poverty to collaborate, thrive, and succeed in building strong and stable households, neighborhoods, and communities.

The Head Start Teacher develops the individual goals for children, provide on-going assessment on progress, and facilitate transition into Head Start or other educational school settings in partnership with parents.

Essential Functions for the Head Start Teacher include:

• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for infants and toddlers that advance all areas of children’s development based on High Scope.
• Assists with maintaining records as required.
• Coordinates the planning and implementation of daily lesson plans that incorporate parent input, the child’s individual goals, and progress.
• Implements High Scope curriculum.
• Conducts and records on-going assessments of children through Brigance. screenings, observations, and anecdotal notes that are inputted.
• Actively engages with children throughout the daily routine.
• Promotes positive adult/child interactions that foster children's development.
• Plans and conducts a minimum of two parent/teacher conferences and two home visits in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ensures confidentiality protocols are met within the department.
• Attend department and agency meetings and training as required.
• Has received a minimum of 16 hours of professional development per program.
• Maintains an appropriate and engaging classroom environment.
• Maintains a sterile and organized classroom space daily.

Qualifications

• Associate’s in arts degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood /Child Development education preferred.
• Child Development Associates is required.
• Education coursework that includes at minimum 2 courses in early childhood that address the infant-toddler age group.
• Proficiency in a second language is a plus.
• Experience working with infants/toddlers and families preferred.
• Licensing and Other Requirements:
• Valid identification and reliable transportation.
• Although the Covid-19 vaccination is no longer mandated, it is encouraged. Wayne Metro will always prioritize the safety of our staff and clients.

Work Environment

This job operates in a customer service labor-oriented environment. This role is performed onsite at various COTS shelter locations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk, sit, see, talk and hear, and use hands to manipulate. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb steps, stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch. The employee is required to supervise students, requiring the employee to match walking speed that matches the student and may at times require the ability to run to safeguard students. The employee must occasionally lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, and move students.  Employees must occasionally move equipment and/or supplies. The job is performed for the most part in a school setting with occasional outside weather conditions. The noise level is that of a typical school setting.

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Must be available and willing to work Monday – Friday, with specific hours (and occasional Saturdays) to be determined by department needs.