Early Education Center Teacher – Head Start

COA Youth & Family Centers; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health plans

Life insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Job summary

COA Youth & Family Centers is seeking an EEC Teacher – Head Start to oversee day-to-day Pre-K programming in Milwaukee. You will partner with a co-teacher to meet Wisconsin licensing, HS/EHS standards, and NAEYC accreditation.

This year-round, full-time role offers benefits including paid time off, health plans, life insurance, a 403(b) plan, and holidays. Evening/weekend availability may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 and an Associates Degree.
• Must meet DCF, HS/EHS, and NAEYC requirements.
• Level 12 on The Registry or Infant Toddler Credential.
• Willingness to continue professional development through an education plan.
• Knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, EHS, etc. preferred.
• Proficient in Word and Excel plus accurate typing skills.
• Experience working with urban youth and families.
• Pre‑hire: fingerprint, background check, and drug test.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day programming in the Pre‑K classroom with a co‑teacher.
• Ensure compliance with Wisconsin DCF licensing and HS/EHS policy standards.
• Adhere to NAEYC accreditation requirements.
• Engage children through developmentally appropriate activities weekly.
• Create and implement lesson plans using Creative Curriculum.
• Maintain accurate records: attendance, portfolios, and logs.
• Communicate with families daily and conduct conferences/home visits.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development.

Skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competency

Trauma-informed care

Organizational skills

Education

Associates Degree

Level 12 on The Registry or Infant Toddler Credential

Education plan / ongoing professional development

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

COA Youth & Family Centers

Job Description

EEC Teacher – Head Start

Department: Early Education Center

FLSA Status: Full time, hourly status.

Reports to: Senior EEC Manager

Direct reports: None

Driver Status: N/A

Primary Location: COA Riverwest, 909 E Garfield Avenue, Milwaukee 53212.

Mission

COA Youth & Family Centers nurtures children, supports families, and builds strong and resilient communities – one child, one family, one community at a time.

Summary

This position is responsible for the day-to-day programming within the Pre‑K classroom, in partnership with the co‑teacher. This includes complying with all applicable standards such as State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing, Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) policy standards, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.

This is a year-round, full-time position eligible for benefits.

Benefits include generous paid time off, health plans (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement plan, 11 paid holidays and a great working environment.

Main Job Responsibilities

Child Development

Goal: appropriately manage child behavior.

• Use active supervision at all times.
• Engage positively, using redirection and positive reinforcement.
• Get on child’s level to interact, play and talk.
• Follow expectations on positive physical contact.

Goal: ensure curriculum is delivered to fidelity.

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate weekly lesson plans using Creative Curriculum.
• Follow ASQ process to monitor progress.
• Update child portfolios per 4 checkpoints throughout the year.
• Enter eight anecdotal records/observations into Teaching Strategies GOLD per child per month.
• Use plan time and down time appropriately.

Classroom Management

Goal: ensure a safe, fun place to learn and grow.

• Use set routines and daily room schedules.
• Maintain overall physical classroom environment: cleanliness, organization, decorations, and structure as per licensing and other standards. Oversee classroom inventory.
• Maintain accurate and timely recordkeeping:
  • Intake forms, attendance tracking, food count forms.
  • Incident and medical logs.
  • Child referrals.

Relationships with Parents

Goal: professional and trusting relationships with parents.

• Communicate with parents on a daily basis regarding positive things, concerns, and incidents in a calm and professional manner.
• Perform parent‑teacher conferences and home visits.
• Represent the program to parents.
• Support family engagement events.

Other

• Role model appropriate behavior at all times. This includes developing and maintaining appropriate professional relationships with youth, colleagues, parents, facilitators, community members, etc.
• Represent the program and the agency appropriately.
• Attend professional development, staff meetings, and conferences, trainings (including weekends and Saturdays) to remain current in industry knowledge and fulfill continuing education requirements.
• Support other areas within the building (e.g., reception) as needed.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Experience

• Minimum age of 21 and Associates Degree.
• Must meet DCF, HS/EHS, and NAEYC requirements.
• Level 12 on The Registry or Infant Toddler Credential.
• Willingness to continue professional development through an education plan.
• Knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, EHS, etc. preferred.
• Proficient in Word and Excel plus accurate typing skills.
• Experience working with urban youth and families.
• Pre‑hire: fingerprint, background check, and drug test.

Skills/Personal Qualities/Attitude

• Embody COA’s mission and core values.
• Role model appropriate behavior at all times.
• Embody COA Values with a passion for serving others.
• Philosophical compatibility with COA mission and strength based child development methods.
• Strong early childhood management skills; familiarity with social emotional learning and trauma informed care.
• Good organizational and administrative skills; detail oriented.
• Effective interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships. Cultural competency. Respect for diversity of all types.
• Excellent time management skills for consistent attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The physical requirements are the ability to:

• Sit and stand for long periods of time.
• Lift and carry up to 35 pounds throughout the day.
• Actively engage with children in various activities (e.g. physical movement, dramatic play, on-the-floor play, etc.)
• Move quickly in order to safely evacuate children from the Center within certain time limits.

The work environment is an active environment with urban youth and families in a variety of settings. This requires the ability to respond quickly to changing situations and be able to move around the COA site as needed. This position also requires evening and weekend work.

These characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements of this job. It is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. In other words, other duties as assigned.