Head Start Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

GenerationEd

Job title

Head Start Teacher

Program

Head Start and Early Head Start

Reports to

Center Director

FLSA Status

Exempt

Last Updated

March 2026

General Description

It is the responsibility of the teacher to plan, organize and direct the operation of programs for a specific group of children providing a high-quality environment in which each child achieves the highest level of social, emotional, physical, and intellectual competence.

Required Competencies 

All GenerationEd Employees

• Reliability/Dependability • Problem Solving • Customer Service
• Teamwork and Collaboration • Integrity • Initiative and Growth
• Quality and Timeliness of Work • Effective Communication

Role Specific

• Effective Behavior Management
• Curriculum Planning and Execution
• Learning Environment Management
• Parent and Family Engagement

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Curriculum

• Organize and use space, materials, and routines to construct an interesting,secureand enjoyable environment that encourages play, exploration, and learning.
• Develop and implement an integrated program of activities, experiences and opportunities whichcontributesto the growth and development of each child and areappropriate tothe developmental levels of the children being served.
• Use available community resources and age-appropriate field trips to enrich the children's experience in the classroom.
• Ensure that the program respects and reflects the diverse backgrounds and learning styles of each child.
• Create andmaintainan environmentappropriate toinfants and/or toddlers in adherence to HSPS

.

• Perform any other job-related tasks as assigned, that may include bus monitoring and/or kitchen relatedduties.

1. Teacher-Child Interaction

• Maintain effective communication with children thatfostersphysical, social, emotional, andintellectual development.
• Use questioning,probingand problem solving as interactions which promote learning.
• Interact with children on their eye level using a voice which is pleasant and encouraging.
• Provide opportunities for children to understandacquireand use verbal and non-verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
• Participate with children in small and large groups and individually.
• Use conflict resolution techniques which areappropriate forthe developmental level of the child.
• Provideforsmooth transition from one activity to another activity without requiring the children to wait.
• Assistchildren with self-care activities.

1. Adult-Adult Interaction

• Establish andmaintaincooperative relationships with co-workers through open communication, sharingresourcesand supporting professional development.
• Develop supportive relationships with parents by respecting their child-rearing values and by sharing information about the ages and stages of children's development to improve their understanding of their own children.
• Maintain a cooperative atmosphere in the workplace byexhibitinga pleasant and cooperative attitude.

1. Assessment

• Observe and assess each child in each developmental area,utilizingan assessment instrument selected by the Education Committee.
• Participate in IEP staffing.
• Participate in cross-component team meetings to develop strategies for promotingoptimaldevelopment in each child.

1. Parent Involvement

• Communicate the activities of the program to parents on a regular basis, i.e., newsletter and activity calendar.
• Conduct and document parent conferences and/or home visits as needed or required.
• Orient parents to classroom and attend parent group functions.
• Communicate withparentsthe expectation of and opportunities for their positive involvement in the program.
• Maintain a professional relationship with parents.

1. Program Management

• Use all available resources to ensure an effective operation of the classroom.
• Immediately report all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect toCenterDirector.
• Write andsubmitappropriate reportsaccurately and on time.
• Request supplies and equipment when needed and according to procedure.
• Maintain an orderly classroom.
• Report all accidentsimmediatelyto supervisor.
• Complete written lesson plans.
• Supervise and evaluate classroomassistant.
• Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions.
• Participate in program wide recruitment.

• Attend all required meetings and training opportunities.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned volunteers.
• Assistwith and contribute to the recruitment of children and families eligible toparticipatein the program.
• Timely recruitment and enrollment according to a timeline distributed in January of each year by the HS/EHS Director will be a priority. Enrollment goals will be assigned to meetfull fundedenrollment ona timelybasis.

G. Professionalism

• Abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethics.
• Continuously assess skills and knowledge and in conjunction with the Center Director, plan strategies for improvement and growth.
• Actively pursueappropriate professionaldevelopment opportunities which increase knowledge and skills by activelyparticipatingin in-service staff development programs, by successfully completing early childhood education courses whenappropriateand by attending local, state, regional and national conferences.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum:Associate’s in child development or Early Childhood Education
• BS in Early Childhood Education and 2 years early childhood work experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, children, parents, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise others, including assistant teachers, parents, students, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively the dutiesrequiredfor the job including verbal ability to communicate, auditory capacity to respond to children and adults, visual ability to complete written assignments and physical ability to complete assignments given accommodations as required by law.
• Demonstrated willingness to actively pursueappropriate professionaldevelopment opportunities.

Physical, Mental and /or Visual Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to bend and stoop and reach.
• Ability to walk extended periods throughout thedaymonitoring. 
• Ability to hear and respond to children, alarms, and safety signals.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions during occasional tasks.    
• Exposure to typical school and classroom environmental conditions, including noise levels that may range from moderate to occasionally high.  
• Specific vision abilitiesrequiredinclude close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

GenerationEd is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities in accordance with ADA.

Acknowledgement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

I further understand that my employment with GenerationEd is at will.