Head Start Substitute Teacher — Classroom Support & Growth

Upbring; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Upbring’s Substitute Teacher role supports temporary classroom needs, aligning activities with Head Start standards to create a safe, nurturing learning environment. You’ll follow established lesson plans and collaborate with staff to promote positive development and school readiness.

Responsibilities include supervising children, assisting with routines, maintaining safety, and fostering an engaging atmosphere across multiple Head Start centers. This position requires flexibility and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Willing to complete Head Start-mandated training and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Follow established curriculum and lesson plans to support children’s learning and development.
• Maintain active supervision to ensure a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
• Assist with classroom routines, including mealtimes, rest periods, toileting, and transitions, while promoting independence and positive behavior.
• Follow health, safety, and licensing regulations to maintain a clean and hazard-free learning environment.
• Foster positive relationships with children by encouraging social-emotional development, problem-solving, and respectful communication.
• Be flexible and responsive to classroom, children, and staff needs; ensure learning experiences are consistent.
• Collaborate with staff and supervisors to ensure smooth transitions and report concerns regarding children or classroom operations.
• Uphold confidentiality standards and demonstrate professionalism when working with children, families, and staff.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

High School diploma or GED

CDA Infant/Toddler or Preschool

Associate degree or ECE coursework

Job description

Pay Starting at $12.28/hour

Early Head Start Locations: Austin, Kids of the Neighborhood, La Armada, Los Pequenos, Navarro, Stepping Stone

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.
  
  

Pay Starting at $12.28/hour

Early Head Start Locations: Austin, Kids of the Neighborhood, La Armada, Los Pequenos, Navarro, Stepping Stone

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.
  
  

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Your Mission in Action

The Substitute Teacher provides temporary classroom support by implementing developmentally appropriate activities that align with Head Start Performance Standards and program guidelines. This role ensures a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment while following established lesson plans and classroom routines. The Substitute Teacher works collaboratively with staff to promote positive child development, social-emotional growth, and school readiness . Responsibilities include supervising children, assisting with daily routines, maintaining classroom safety, and supporting a positive learning environment . This position requires flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to effectively manage a classroom in the absence of the regular teacher.

Responsibilities

• Follow the established curriculum and lesson plans provided by the classroom teacher to support children’s learning and development
• Maintain active supervision, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment while engaging children in developmentally appropriate activities
• Assist with classroom routines, including mealtimes, rest periods, toileting, and transitions , while promoting independence and positive b ehavior
• Follow health, safety, and licensing regulations to maintain a clean and hazard-free learning e nvironment
• Foster positive relationships with children by encouraging social-emotional development , problem-solving, and respectful communication
• Be flexible and responsive to the needs of the classroom, children, and program staff, ensuring consistency in learning experiences
• Collaborate with classroom staff and supervisors to ensure smooth transitions and report any concerns regarding children or classroom operations
• Uphold confidentiality standards and demonstrate professionalism when working with children, families, and staff
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Willing to complete Head Start-mandated training and professional developmen t
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Child Development Associate (CDA) in Infant and Toddler and/or Preschool
• Associate s degree or coursework in early childhood education (ECE), child development, or related field
• Previous experience in a Head Start or preschool classroom
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, best practices in early childhood education, and positive behavior management techniques.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English or other languages spoken by program families).
  
  

Travel

This Position May Have The Following Travel Requirements

• Minimal Travel (0-25%) – May be assigned to a primary location with occasional travel to other Head Start centers based on program need
• Moderate Travel (25-50%) – Requires regular travel between multiple Head Start centers within the program to provide classroom support as needed
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• Frequent bending, kneeling, squatting, sitting of the floor and standing for extended periods of time
• Repetitive movements, including reaching, grasping, and stretching for caregiving tasks and classroom activities
• Ability to quickly respond to children’s needs, including participation in emergency situations
• Active indoor and outdoor supervision, including participation in physical play and monitoring playground activities
• Ability to l ift, push, pull , an d move up to 50 lbs.
• Required participation in training, meetings, and professional development may be necessary
• Ability to substitute in multiple locations
  
  

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.