Head Start Teacher

Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency; Church Hill (TN); On-site; USD 43,036,000 - 49,704,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan (TCRS)

Life insurance

Dental & Vision coverage

Paid holidays

401(k) & 457 plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency in Hawkins County, Tennessee is seeking a Head Start Teacher to prepare children ages 3–5 for school success within a holistic program that includes health, nutrition, and family engagement.

The role requires an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (Bachelor’s preferred) and 2+ years of preschool experience. The position is full-time, on-site, with comprehensive benefits and a focus on social-emotional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement is an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience with preschool children (preferred)
• Meets Tennessee DHS standards for preschool day care centers
• Must pass background check and physical exam
• Ability to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must have valid TN driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Foster social and emotional development using positive guidance techniques
• Create and deliver age-appropriate daily lesson plans and schedules
• Maintain a safe, healthy classroom following Active Supervision and safety curriculums and accurately track student headcounts and transition protocols
• Supervise and mentor classroom staff and volunteers with constructive feedback and modeling
• Implement proactive classroom management strategies for smooth daily operations
• Support each child’s emotional growth with a warm, culturally sensitive environment
• Observe, assess, and tailor activities to promote children’s physical and intellectual growth
• Maintain positive, respectful communication with families, staff, community members, and conduct home visits
• Adhere to agency policies, complete assigned tasks, and uphold professionalism
• Work is based in Hawkins County, Tennessee

Skills

Early childhood education knowledge

Communication with families

Classroom management

Team leadership

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Head Start Teacher | Hawkins County, TennesseeReady to spark curiosity and change lives? As a Head Start Teacher, you’ll do more than teach—you’ll help prepare children ages 3–5 for success in school and beyond. Unlike a traditional preschool, Head Start provides a comprehensive approach to early childhood education by integrating learning with health, nutrition, and family engagement. You’ll create a classroom where discovery thrives, while partnering with families to support each child’s emotional, physical, cognitive, and social development.If you’re passionate about early childhood education and want to make a lasting impact, apply today and join a team that’s changing lives every day!Essential FunctionsFoster social and emotional development using positive guidance techniquesCreate and deliver age-appropriate daily lesson plans and schedulesMaintain a safe, healthy classroom following Active Supervision, safety curriculums and accurately track student headcounts and transition protocolsSupervise and mentor classroom staff and volunteers with constructive feedback and modelingImplement proactive classroom management strategies for smooth daily operationsSupport each child’s emotional growth with a warm, culturally sensitive environmentObserve, assess, and tailor activities to promote children’s physical and intellectual growthMaintain positive, respectful communication with families, staff, community members, and conduct home visitsAdhere to agency policies, complete assigned tasks, and uphold professionalismSupport children's social and emotional development using positive guidanceCreative thinker and effective problem solver with strong written and verbal communication skillsPerform other duties as assignedBenefitsPaid Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and holidaysHealthcare coverage is provided through the State of Tennessee, with UETHDA covering 100% of the monthly premium for employee-only plans (valued at approximately $600 per month or $7,200 annually). Additional coverage options are available, with any cost difference paid by the employee1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)Retirement Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees contribute 5% of annual wages on a pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan. UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees become fully vested after five years of eligible serviceGroup Term Life Insurance (coverage equal to 1.5 times annual wages) and Voluntary Life Insurance are offered, with Group Term Life fully paid by UETHDADental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability options are available at 100% cost to the employee1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer matchMinimum RequirementsMinimum requirement is an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; Bachelors degree preferred2+ years of experience with preschool children (preferred)Meets Tennessee DHS standards for preschool day care centersMust pass background check and physical exam with the ability to lift a child weighing up to 50 poundsMust have valid TN driver's licensePosition Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time non-exempt position and is paid hourly. Typically, this position will work 40 hours per week, approximately 43-46 weeks per school year with a summer lay off of approximately 6 to 9 weeks. Employees are eligible to apply for unemployment during the 6-9 weeks of temporary summer lay-off. Working days are Monday through Friday with varying day shift hours depending on location. Elected benefits continue during temporary summer lay-off. Work is based in Hawkins County, Tennessee.Equal Opportunity Employer StatementUETHDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring passionate, diverse professionals who want to make a difference.Salary Based 100% on Education/Degree.$17.75 hourly for AS in Early Childhood Education/Child Development$20.50 hourly for BS in Early Childhood Education/Child Development.