West Harlem Early Head Start  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 Early 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 Early 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.