Head Start Teacher

About the Role

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a positive impact on children and families around the world. This role focuses on early childhood education, ensuring the physical and mental well-being of children while fostering their development through structured learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the physical and mental health and safety of children, with no child left unsupervised (HSPPS1302.90).
• Provide responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including support for children with disabilities (HSPPS1302.31).
• Use prescribed curricula to deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social-emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development. Integrate child assessment data into individual and group planning (HSPPS1302.31, 1302.32).
• Contribute to and support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of children’s developmental progress (HSPPS1302.33).
• Engage parents and family members in their child’s development through conferences, group activities, and program services (HSPPS1302.34).
• Maintain safe environments by adhering to supervision standards, reporting suspected child abuse/neglect, and following all conduct policies (HSPPS1302.47, 1302.90).
• Comply with CLASS Pre-K standards for positive adult-child interactions (HSPPS1304.16).
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified by state and federal standards (HSPPS1302.92).
• Establish regular communication with parents about their child’s routine, activities, behavior, and progress.
• Maintain compliant, current, and organized child files, classroom forms, and documentation.
• Monitor classrooms to ensure they are free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Report all incidents within designated timeframes per program policy.
• Incorporate age-appropriate equipment, materials, and physical space for indoor/outdoor learning, updating materials to support evolving child interests.
• Modify teaching strategies and lesson plans based on classroom observations and prescribed curricula.
• Identify potential developmental or school-readiness challenges and coordinate with education, family, mental health, or child development professionals to address needs.
• Participate in school functions, meetings, and team operations.
• Collaborate with staff, service providers, and professionals while maintaining confidentiality.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s degree required (can train a person enrolled in college with completion of AA within 18 months of employment).
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and bilingual (Spanish).
• Two (2) years of experience in an early childhood classroom preferred.
• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred; must communicate effectively in writing and verbally in English.
• Maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Computer literacy to meet position responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work nights, holidays, weekends, and occasional evenings for events (e.g., home visits, parent-teacher conferences, field trips).
• Ability to work independently.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check and confirmation of work eligibility status.
• Pass a health examination.
• Physical ability to lift up to 60 pounds, stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage in physical activities with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, environmental hazards (e.g., cigarette smoke, pets), and at-risk neighborhoods.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train for conferences, meetings, or overnight trips.

Benefits

INK requires all employees to receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of employment.