Associate Teacher Head Start

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska; Winnebago (NE); On-site; USD 20,934 - 29,816; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Job summary

A tribal educational organization in Winnebago, Nebraska, is seeking an Associate Teacher for Head Start to support child development and implement educational programs. The role involves planning activities, ensuring a safe classroom, and collaborating with families. Applicants should have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and a willingness to obtain additional certifications. Competitive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive member.
• Must be willing to obtain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement daily education programs for children.
• Observe and document each child's development.
• Maintain a clean and safe classroom environment.

Skills

Knowledge of curriculum and best practices in early childhood education

Ability to establish supportive relationships

Effective communication skills

Teamwork

Organization skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Wellness resources
• Closes: 11/30/2025

Associate Teacher (Head Start)

Reports to: Lead Teacher/Education Program Manager

Salary (Grade): $18.42/hr

Status: Reg., Full-time (Non-Exempt)

Location:317 Frenchman St., Winnebago, Nebraska 68071

Educare of Winnebago is a collaborative partnership between the Winnebago Tribal Council, Winnebago Head Start, Winnebago Child Care and the Winnebago Public Schools. The mission of Educare is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families.

Job Purpose & Position Overview

The Associate Teacher works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the supervision of the Education Coordinator and Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher will ensure the education program is developmentally appropriate meeting the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Winnebago, Head Start/Early Head Start, Sixpence, and the Nebraska Department of Education. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher takes responsibility for the management of the classroom.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Child Development

• Observe, assess and document each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• As assigned, develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.
• As assigned, coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Education Coordinator.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom

Classroom Management

• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage child’s independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.

Curriculum

• Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
• Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and participate in implementing them intentionally.
• Assist in the integration of other areas, i.e., health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement, into the education plan.
• Assist in, or take responsibility for as assigned, the creation of documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

Parent Involvement

• Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
• As assigned by the Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress.
• As assigned, participate in home visits with each child’s family to clarify child and family needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
• Develop effective partnerships with parents by encouraging input into all aspects of the educational program.

Other

• Participate in reflective supervision with primary supervisor.

Duties listed are only an illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or Preschool Child Development Associate credential
• Must be willing to obtain a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Willingness to participate in Educare’s commitment to continuously review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change
• Ability to take, or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one’s own culture, beliefs, and values
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
• Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve
• Maintain boundaries and performs all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Complies with all confidentiality regulations as required
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.

Training Requirements:

Must attend all department meetings and training courses as required.

Physical Requirements:

Normal to medium office work which includes the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.

While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements:

• Reading, writing, calculating
• Above average social interaction skills
• Reasoning/Analysis
• Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements:

• Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
• Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Nebraska Childcare Standards 3-006.03A Criminal History Record Checks:

In accordance with the Nebraska child care licensing standards, all staff members and volunteers, must complete a pre-employment criminal history record check. The check must be conducted through the Nebraska State Patrol.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.

If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.

Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.