Classroom Support Specialist

Summary

Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low income children and their families. Head Start provides children, including those with special needs, with services that actively encourage and promote social, emotional, intellectual (school readiness skills), physical growth and development. Head Start fosters good health through well child checks and dental exams, current immunizations, nutrition and lead risk assessments. Parent involvement is one of the cornerstones of the program and parents have many and varied opportunities to participate in their child's education and development. Support services are available for families including social services, mental health and disability services, and transportation.

Duties

• Work under the direction of the Program Manager for Education and Special Services to provide  hands-on support to children that use persistent challenging behaviors including being available for immediate assistance as needed
• Facilitate and support  the process of collaborative team-based intervention  planning for children that need behavior support
• Collect, review and interpret child data and engage in data based decision-making in collaboration with the teaching team, parents, center leaders and other team members as appropriate
• Teach, model and support teaching team members on strategies to use with a child using challenging behaviors
• Complete classroom TIPITOS and TPOT observations and collaborate with teaching team, center leader, and/or early learning coach as needed to assess  and  problem solve around Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 strategies in the classroom
• Collaborate with disability and mental health coordinators and resource teachers as needed to provide seamless support of children, families and teaching staff
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with families, providing resources, support, and guidance to promote their active involvement in their child’s education and development
• Stay updated on the latest research, best practices, and policies in early childhood education in order to support education staff in delivering quality services
• Ensure program compliance with relevant regulations and standards (e.g., TN Dept. of Human Services Child Care Licensing, Head Start Program Performance Standards, etc.)

Requirements

• B.S./B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child & Family Studies or related field  (AAS in Early Childhood Education can be considered in lieu of B.S./B.A. degree with 5 years of successful KKCHS teaching experience)
• Minimum of 2 years experience in teaching children 8 week - 5 years in a classroom setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development, effective practices in early education and the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children
• Experience effectively supporting children using persistent challenging behaviors in a classroom setting
• Prior Head Start experience preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with staff, families, and community partners
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in early childhood education
• Ability to pass a criminal background check (fingerprint, vulnerable person's registry, etc.)
• Vehicle for work related travel
• Legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Benefits

• Free health insurance for the individual
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free life insurance equivalent to one year’s salary (up to $50,000)
• Retirement contributions by the employer equivalent to 6% of one's salary after one year of employment
• Over three weeks of paid leave for winter break, spring break, holidays, etc.
• Paid Sick Leave
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending account
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer
• Overtime pay over 40 hours