Head Start Teacher

Job Summary

Implements Head Start Performance Standards for 3‑5‑year‑olds in a classroom setting. Responds to events at all times, both indoors and outdoors, requiring the physical ability to move quickly to redirect or restrain active children to ensure safety. Applies Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities while maintaining a safe environment.

Responsibilities

Classroom Time / School Readiness

• Communicates effectively with parents, teachers, and staff.
• Provides patient, understanding support to children and interacts professionally with parents.
• Supervises and monitors children continuously; responds appropriately to crises or emergencies.
• Guides children’s behavior in positive, effective ways.
• Follows a consistent schedule that includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, motor activities, skill development, meals, and smooth transitions.
• Encourages experimentation, exploration, problem‑solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice‑making; uses open‑ended and follow‑up questions to promote learning.
• Promotes English language acquisition for English‑ and dual‑language learners.
• Releases children only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
• Implements agency‑adopted curricula using effective instructional strategies.
• Prepares the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans.
• Assesses individual and group needs, attending to interests, strengths, and concerns.
• Collaborates with appropriate agencies to develop specialized plans for children and families as needed.
• Coordinates with support staff to create a collaborative approach benefiting all children.
• Adapts curriculum to meet individual goals outlined in Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs).
• Develops integrated curriculum plans reflecting mandated elements, cultural influences, and promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Establishes weekly goals that support individual and group educational plans and Head Start components.
• Participates in integrated service meetings to plan and deliver collaborative services across all components.

Family Engagement and Community Partnerships

• Creates an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family and volunteer engagement.
• Supports families as the primary teachers of their children.
• Assists families with safety, health, financial stability, life goals, and aspirations.
• Maintains regular, individualized communication with families.
• Conducts required parent/teacher conferences and home visits for assessment, support, and sharing of classroom progress and strategies; provides additional home visits as needed.
• Assists in planning and participates in family activity events.
• Coordinates with Family Advocates to help families complete follow‑ups (dental, medical, physical and mental health needs).
• Works with the Early Childhood Education Coordinator and Family Services Coordinator to provide timely information and referrals.
• Monitors and documents attendance concerns.
• Provides learning opportunities for dual‑language development in the home.

Documentation

• Utilizes agency‑adopted tools for ongoing assessment and documentation.
• Ensures accurate completion of all federal, state, local, and agency documentation.
• Documents all family contacts and home visits.
• Monitors and reports suspected child abuse.

Professional Development

• Attends and participates in trainings and professional development activities.
• Participates in meetings and integrated service planning.
• Engages in ongoing self‑assessment of job performance.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Associate degree in early childhood education, or a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field with coursework equivalent to a major; transcripts required.
• Completion and maintenance of annual training hour requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Proficiency with computer applications, word processing, and email.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain CPR & First Aid certification within 30 days of employment.
• Successful completion of a federal background check.
• Physical ability to stand, reach, talk, hear, walk, sit, use hands, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl regularly; occasional lifting or moving of up to 45 lb.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception.