Substitute Teacher

POSITION PURPOSE: Provides reliable, as-needed classroom coverage for Head Start preschool classrooms serving children ages 3 through 5 at the Michigan City and LaPorte program sites. Supports a safe, nurturing, inclusive learning environment; follows established classroom plans and routines; and works cooperatively with the assigned classroom team. Performs responsibilities in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Indiana child care center licensing regulations, Paths to QUALITY Level 3 requirements, agency policies, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

WORK CONDUCT:

1. Maintains a positive, dependable, and professional approach to assigned responsibilities.
2. Reports to the assigned location on time and prepared to support the classroom team.
3. Works cooperatively and respectfully with children, families, colleagues, managers, and community partners.
4. Protects confidential and personally identifiable information and maintains appropriate professional boundaries.
5. Responds constructively to direction, coaching, and feedback and demonstrates willingness to learn and adapt.
6. Follows agency policies, procedures, standards of conduct, and applicable licensing and Head Start requirements.
7. Ensures that a positive image of Paladin is portrayed at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Report to the assigned Head Start site and classroom and follow the direction of the Education Manager, assigned Lead Teacher, or designated program leader.
2. Provide classroom coverage for staff absences, breaks, vacancies, meetings, training, or other program needs at the Michigan City or LaPorte site.
3. Maintain active supervision, required child-staff ratios, and accurate child accountability at all times, including during classroom activities, outdoor play, transitions, arrival, departure, field trips, and emergency situations.
4. Follow the established classroom schedule, lesson plan, and HighScope daily routine and support developmentally appropriate learning experiences through play, exploration, conversation, and positive adult-child interactions.
5. Use Conscious Discipline and other approved positive-guidance practices consistently. Do not use corporal punishment, isolation, humiliation, threats, food, physical activity, or other prohibited practices as discipline, reward, or punishment.
6. Support the participation of all children, including children with disabilities and dual language learners, and implement assigned accommodations, health plans, behavior-support strategies, or Individualized Education Program supports as directed.
7. Assist children with daily routines and personal-care needs, including handwashing, toileting, meals, rest, dressing, transitions, and other age-appropriate self-care activities while protecting each child's dignity and privacy.
8. Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, welcoming, and organized classroom; inspect materials and equipment for hazards; follow hygiene and infection-control procedures; and promptly report health, safety, or maintenance concerns.
9. Follow emergency plans and participate in required drills. Maintain immediate awareness of the location of every child and follow evacuation, shelter, reunification, and communication procedures.
10. Follow applicable CACFP and USDA meal-service procedures, including safe food practices, accurate meal counts when assigned, accommodation of documented dietary needs, and developmentally appropriate meal experiences.
11. Observe children's health, development, behavior, and safety; respond appropriately within the scope of the position; and promptly report injuries, incidents, concerns, or significant observations to the assigned Lead Teacher or manager.
12. Fulfill mandated-reporter responsibilities and immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by Indiana law and agency procedure.
13. Interact warmly and respectfully with families, share routine information as directed, and refer questions or concerns about a child's progress, services, or program decisions to the assigned teacher or manager.
14. Maintain the confidentiality of child, family, and personnel information in verbal, written, and electronic formats.
15. Assist with classroom preparation, learning materials, cleanup, sanitation, and other tasks necessary for safe and effective daily operations.
16. Complete attendance, incident, meal, timekeeping, or other records assigned to the substitute accurately and within required timelines.
17. Attend required orientation, staff meetings, training, and professional-development activities.
18. Perform other relevant responsibilities required by the program or assigned by the Education Manager or designee.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

➢ Basic knowledge of preschool child development and developmentally appropriate practice.

➢ Ability to learn and follow the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Indiana child care center licensing regulations, agency policies, and classroom procedures applicable to the assignment.

➢ Ability to use active supervision and positive, developmentally appropriate guidance with preschool children.

➢ Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with children, families, and coworkers.

➢ Ability to work as a flexible, dependable member of different classroom teams and accept assignments at either Head Start site.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

➢ Classroom learning materials and equipment, sanitation and safety supplies, emergency materials, and communication equipment used in preschool program operations.

➢ Basic computers, tablets, email, timekeeping systems, and assigned child or program information systems.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

➢ Ability to maintain continuous awareness of children and respond promptly to events in classrooms, outdoor learning areas, on field trips, and during arrival, departure, and transitions.

➢ Ability to follow established plans and directions, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to emergencies or changing classroom needs.

➢ Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, remain calm in stressful situations, and maintain attention to detail.

➢ Ability to work independently within assigned responsibilities and cooperatively as a member of the classroom and Head Start teams.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

➢ High school diploma or equivalent required.

➢ Experience working with preschool-age children in a group setting is preferred but not required.

➢ Must meet and maintain current Head Start and Indiana child care licensing qualifications applicable to the position.

➢ Experience with HighScope and Conscious Discipline is preferred; completion of assigned program training and demonstrated implementation are required after hire.

➢ Bilingual communication skills are desirable but not required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

➢ Employment is conditional upon successful drug screening, physical capacities examination, tuberculosis screening, and required criminal history, FBI fingerprinting, sex offender registry, and child abuse and neglect clearances.

➢ Complete required orientation and training on Head Start, Indiana licensing, active supervision, health and safety, emergency preparedness, mandatory reporting, confidentiality, and other requirements applicable to the position.

➢ Obtain and maintain current Adult and Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications within the program-required timeframe.

➢ Complete required annual continuing education and professional development in accordance with licensing, Head Start, Paths to QUALITY, and the individualized professional development plan.

➢ Maintain a valid driver's license, liability insurance on any personal vehicle used for Paladin business, and reliable transportation to accept assignments at either the Michigan City or LaPorte site.

➢ Work schedules, hours, classroom assignments, and site assignments vary according to program need.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

➢ Physical capability, strength, mobility, and coordination to work with preschool children, including frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, bending, reaching, sitting on the floor, and moving quickly when necessary.

➢ Ability to occasionally lift or carry up to 50 pounds, assist a child with mobility or self-care, and move or assist a child during an emergency, with or without reasonable accommodation.

➢ Ability to see and hear sufficiently, with corrective devices as needed, to supervise children actively, observe their health and behavior, and respond to environmental and emergency cues.

➢ Ability to work in indoor and outdoor preschool environments and accompany children on field trips or community experiences as assigned.