EARLY HEAD START/HEAD START TEACHER(3) CLOSES 10/30/2026

Location: Alamo, New Mexico | Department: Early Childhood (Head Start/Early Head Start) | Employment Type: Full-Time | Reports To: Program Director | Supervises: Co-Teacher, Classroom Volunteers, Practicum Students, Assigned Substitutes

About the role

The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate educational program that promotes school readiness and supports the physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and creative development of children enrolled in the Head Start or Early Head Start program. The Lead Teacher provides instructional leadership within the classroom, supervises and mentors the Co-Teacher and assigned classroom staff, and ensures compliance with the Head Start Act, Head Start Program Performance Standards, Tribal policies, program procedures, and the ANSB Personnel Manual.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences
• Ensure fidelity to the approved curriculum
• Individualize instruction using child assessment data
• Develop weekly lesson plans
• Integrate school readiness goals into daily instruction
• Provide leadership to classroom staff
• Maintain organized, engaging learning environments

Classroom Management

• Maintain safe classroom environments
• Implement positive behavior supports
• Ensure active supervision at all times
• Maintain required ratios
• Ensure classroom compliance with health and safety requirements
• Oversee child assessment processes and ensure assessment data are used to individualize instruction
• Ensure developmental screenings are completed within required timelines
• Monitor school readiness data and develop improvement plans based on program outcomes

Child Assessment

• Complete developmental screenings within required timelines
• Conduct ongoing observations
• Complete child assessments accurately and timely
• Analyze assessment data
• Develop individualized learning plans

Family Engagement

• Build respectful partnerships with families
• Conduct parent conferences
• Share child progress
• Encourage family participation
• Support transition planning
• Promote meaningful family engagement
• Support teachers in developing partnerships with families
• Encourage family participation in school readiness activities
• Participate in parent meetings and family engagement events
• Support smooth transitions into and out of the program

Compliance

• Maintain complete classroom documentation
• Ensure confidentiality
• Follow all program policies
• Report suspected abuse immediately
• Participate in monitoring and federal reviews

Data Management

• Review education reports regularly
• Use ChildPlus and other approved systems
• Ensure accurate documentation
• Use data to guide decision making
• Maintain confidentiality of records

Collaboration

• Collaborate with program management staff
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing meetings
• Coordinate with community agencies
• Support interdepartmental communication
• Assist during federal reviews and monitoring visits

Health and Safety

• Ensure classrooms comply with health and safety requirements
• Support active