Since 1965, West Harlem is a federally funded, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides free, comprehensive, early childhood development services to economically disadvantaged children and their families in Central Harlem and Washington Heights in upper Manhattan.
West Harlem Head Start focuses on education, health, nutrition, safety, and mental health services. The program operates under the areas of Early Childhood Development and Health Services, Family and Community Partnerships, and Program Design and Management. West Harlem’s curriculum follows the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The program offers social services to the families of the children it serves and promotes parent involvement.
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West Harlem Head Start preschool operates from a team teaching model which encourages and expects all members of the classroom team to become active participants in planning and implementing the curriculum. Each member of the team has four major roles :
- To be a role model for children.
- To be a source of security, and affection for all children.
- To be an active participant in planning activities for the children and in carrying them out.
- To help children handle conflict using positive discipline techniques.
The Lead Teacher is at the forefront of the classroom teaching team. The Group Teacher is primarily responsible for implementing and planning a program which adheres to all federal guidelines, Head Start Performance Standard and local Head Start policies in providing children and families with Head Start services.
The Head Start Lead Teacher must demonstrate competency in providing effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, NYS Early Learning Guidelines, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.
The Head Start Lead Teacher sets learning goals and plans learning experiences by integrating knowledge of each child’s temperament, interests, gender, culture, language, learning approaches, understanding, misconceptions, and abilities and by working collaboratively with families and a range of consultants and coaches.
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Minimum Qualifications:
- Baccalaureate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Special Education
- Application for NYS Certification is submitted and pending certification by the State Department of Education within six months of hire
- Approved Department of Health study plan to obtain certification within six months of hire.
- Certified (or certified within one year of hire) Class Observer for infants, toddlers, and Pre-K
- Two years of documented experience working as a lead teacher in a program for children under 5 years of age
Desired Qualifications:
- Masters Degree Early in Childhood Education
- NYS Teacher Certification in Early Childhood or Elementary Education
- Two years or more documented experience working as a lead teacher in an early childhood environment
- Certified CLASS Observer for infants, toddlers, and Pre-K
- Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
- Preferred Education Level: Master's Degree
Please send a copy of your resume to:
Eliana Mims:Â elianam@westharlemel.com
Andrea Hayes: andreahayes@westharlemel.com
Benefits:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday