Position Function:

Responsible for a Head Start classroom of 3- to 5- year- old children. Position works collaboratively with an assistant teacher, family members and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

Salary Grade: 10

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Throughout its history, Mississippi State University-Extension (MSU-ES) has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to programs that directly impact young children and their families. In the past decade, MSU-ES has distinguished itself as Mississippi's premier infrastructural support of high-quality early childhood education.

Area of Specialization:

MSU-Extension Head Start Programs, Harrison County

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties assigned to this position. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

1. Primary teacher for a classroom of 3 to 5 year-old children.
2. Demonstrates a warm, calm, and unhurried manner.
3. Serves as a role model for children and families.
4. Provides for the education, care, safety, and well-being of all children in the group.
5. Meets the children's emotional, social, physical, and intellectual needs.
6. Plans and implements developmentally appropriate learning activities.
7. Maintains a cooperative relationship with children, co-workers, and parents.
8. Demonstrates increasing understanding of child growth and development in working with
children, in talking with parents, and in recording activities.
9. Attends staff meetings, reports problems of child or room management to the Center
Director promptly.
10. Attends in-service training, keeps current on developments in field of child development.
11. Follows personnel policies of the MSU-ES Head Start Program and the University.
12. Stays up-to-date and adheres to MS Child Care Licensing Standards and Head Start
Performance Standards.
13. Manages a safe, clean, and pleasant environment for young children.
14. Provides peer coaching to other teachers, assistant teachers, floaters, and substitute
teachers.
15. Models exemplary classroom practices for other teachers especially those detailed in the
Teacher Success Rubric and CLASS.
16. Assists in on-boarding new staff
17. Plans and facilitates PLCs under the guidance of the Center Director.
18. Provides individualized plans for each child in classroom to promote the development of
each individual child.
19. May serve as bus monitor when needed.
20. Schedules home visits and parent-teacher conferences as necessary and properly
documents these meetings.
21. Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

The teacher is responsible for a Head Start classroom of 3-5 years old children. S/he
works collaboratively with an assistant teacher, family members and other staff to achieve
positive outcomes for children of all abilities. The teacher's role encompasses effective
practice in the following as outlined in our Teacher Success Rubric (TSR):
* CLASS teacher-child interactions
* Learning environment
* Curriculum
* Child assessment
* Meeting all children's needs
* Working with families
* Professional growth and collaboration

Performs any related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. AA/AS in Early Childhood Education or related field.
2. Meets required standards as specified by the State Department of Health/Child Care
Licensure Standards for staff including finger printing and background check.
3. Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid.
4. Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
5. Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings
and other functions.
6. Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. BA/BS in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field, or state awarded
preschool teacher certification with experience teaching preschool-aged children, or
BA/BS in related field with at least six college courses in Early Childhood Education plus
experience teaching young children.
2. Experience teaching preschool children including group experience with children four
years and younger.
3. Certification in CLASS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Current understanding of MS Child Care Licensing requirements
2. Current understanding of Head Start Performance Standards
3. Able to anticipate the needs of children
4. Must be able to organize and execute daily activities
5. Works well with other staff
6. Intermediate computer literacy skills in email, Microsoft Office

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed.
This position will be inside and outside supervising children as weather permits as well as monitoring children on bus routes.
Due to the primary work with young children, some exposure to communicable disease is likely.
Moderate to loud noise levels.

Instructions for Applying:

All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting: the completed online application, submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references and a current unofficial transcript (with social security numbers removed prior to submission).
An official transcript will be required if selected for employment.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon funding availability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.