Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Ancticipated Opening

UPK Head Teacher

SCCDC is seeking a Universal Pre-Kindergarten Head Teacher for the 2026 - 2027 program year. Lead a classroom team in providing a quality preschool education experience for children in our UPK classroom. This is a part year position offering a generous paid leave package to include sick and personal time, plus holidays, snow days, and school recesses.

Qualifications: Licensed and/or Certified Teacher or as required under UPK Regulations/District.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a plan to work toward a Master's degree and obtain NYS Teacher Certification for Birth – Grade 2. Experience working in a preschool classroom preferred.

All SCCDC positions require Three Letters of Reference, OCFS Clearance, Physical with Tuberculin Test, and a valid NYS Driver’s License required.

Rate of Pay: $22.84 - $25.56 per hour, $700 Sign on Bonus Available!

Benefits:

• Health, Dental & Vision Plans Available
• 401(k) Plan
• Simplified Employee Pension
• AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
• Employer Sponsored Short-Term Disability Benefits
• Generous Paid Leave including Sick, Personal, Holidays, Snow Days & School Recesses
• Continuing Education & Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Foregiveness (PSLF) Program

TITLE: Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

REPORTS TO: Education Coordinator

HOURS PER WEEK: 40

QUALIFICATIONS:

Licensed and/or Certified Teacher or as required under UPK Regulations/District

• Experience working with young children preferred
• OCFS Comprehensive Clearance
• Physical with Mantoux Tuberculin test
• Valid New York Driver’s License
• Ability to perform physical weight bearing demands as related to the required job tasks

GENERAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Implement a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate classroom experience in accordance with the agency curriculum, Head Start Performance Standards and District Expectations.

Establish positive and productive relationships with parents, encouraging them to participate in all aspects of the Head Start program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Education and School Readiness

Develop, implement, and evaluate weekly lesson plans in accordance with the agency curriculum, Head Start Education Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Head Start Performance Standards, NYS Common Core Standards and the SCCDC School Readiness Goals.

Conduct developmental and behavioral screenings for all children within 45 days of enrollment.

Use a web-based system to conduct ongoing assessment of children’s growth and development. Use data generated to plan for individualized learning experiences for all children.

Family and Community Engagement

Support Family Engagement in all aspects of the Head Start program.

• Foster the belief in parents that they are their child’s best teachers and reinforce these concepts with practical suggestions for development.
• Conduct regularly scheduled home visits and parent/teacher conferences.
• Share assessment data and observations with parents and ensure parental input in individualized planning for each child.
• Maintain regular communication with all families through phone contacts, emails, and Class Dojo. Document all significant contacts with families.

Participate in holistic and coordinated services across program service areas, to include the use of Family Support Conferences.

Foster a cooperative relationship between SCCDC and the collaborating school district.

Health & Safety

Obtain CPR/First Aid certification and Medication Administration Training certification as requested by supervisor.

Incorporate health practices, to include but not limited to, handwashing, tooth brushing, family style meals and toileting into the daily routine of the classroom.

Provide families health education on a variety of topics at Home Visits and Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Include health education, to include allergies, into the lesson plans regularly.

Partner with Family Advocates to support individual health needs of children and families.

• Ensure all Health Care and Allergy Plans are strictly adhered to in the classroom. Ensure allergies are posted as required and communicated to all staff assigned to the classroom.
• Look for patterns in daily health logs and reach out for support as needed.
• Review/update MAT books as scheduled.

Maintain first aid and health care supplies in classroom.

Implement the Supervision of Children Procedure to ensure that all children are always supervised.

Mental Health and Disabilities Services

Implement appropriate, trauma informed classroom management techniques, in accordance with the SCCDC Behavior Management Policy.

• Implement teaching and behavior support practices associated with the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children.

Collaborate with families, teaching team and managers to make referrals for evaluation and implement Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for children as needed.

Attend IEP meetings, as appropriate, prepared to contribute information and suggest strategies.

Act as the primary contact with therapists and itinerant teachers serving children in their Classroom, working in partnership to implement the IFSP or IEP goals.

ERSEA

Partner with families and staff to encourage and support attendance as a priority for school readiness.

Complete daily attendance records.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Maintain a comprehensive record keeping system that provides thorough and accurate documentation of family engagement and school readiness services provided to children and families.

Training and Professional Development

Provide supervision to classroom staff, including but not limited to:

• Conduct monthly reflective supervisions for Assistant Teacher and Classroom Aide.
• Complete data informed evaluations and professional development plans in accordance with agency policy.
• Provide direction to all staff and volunteers in the classroom setting.
• Assist in completing yearly performance review for Assistant Teacher and Classroom Aide.

Be an active participant in the ongoing monitoring process, engaging in discussion and planning following classroom observations.

Utilize classroom level child outcomes data to direct professional growth and improved classroom practices.

Facilities and Learning Environments

Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment.

Complete regular safety checks of learning environments per agency policy.

Work as a Member of the SCCDC, Inc. Team

• Represent the agency mission and values in all aspects of your work.
• Support the culture of continuous improvement and data driven decision making.
• Demonstrate principles of the agency’s Trauma-Informed approach when interacting with families, children, and staff.
• Integrate the Family Engagement Framework into all areas of program development and service delivery.
• Submit all required records and complete all assigned duties in a timely manner.
• Participate in professional development activities, attending all staff meetings and trainings as requested.
• Adhere to agency confidentiality policy, comply with mandated child abuse and maltreatment requirements, and implement all agency policies, procedures and structures.
• Complete all other duties assigned by supervisor or Executive Director.
• Adhere to all agency guidelines, philosophy of supervision and accompanying guidelines in all interactions with staff.