Head Start Teacher Associate (Highland Park-10 Months)

Drake; Des Moines, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Tuition exchange

Benefits package

Job summary

Drake University Head Start is seeking energetic candidates to join our team of classroom staff to support lead teachers and deliver developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children in the Highland Park classroom. This is a full-time, 10-month, benefits-eligible position supporting daily classroom activities, including light cooking and occasional home visits.

We offer tuition waiver and tuition exchange for employees and their families, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School diploma required.
• Ability to obtain Preschool CDA within two years, paid by Drake University Head Start.
• Access to reliable transportation to get to work and eligibility for University insurance.
• Preferred Head Start experience.
• Current Iowa Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead Teacher with instruction and child development; adapt plans to individual learning styles.
• Health, nutrition, and safety: assist with meals, follow health plans, give basic first aid.
• Documentation: assist with confidential records and CACFP paperwork.
• Professional development and travel within Head Start service area.
• Comply with Head Start program standards and maintain confidentiality and respectful conduct.

Education

High School Diploma

Preschool CDA Certification within two years

Job description

**Department Summary:**The Mission of Head Start and Early Head Start is a noble one: \"Better preparing young children and their families for now and in the future.\" Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to Age 5, in classroom settings, home-based programs, and child care partner locations. **Job Summary:**Drake University Head Start is seeking energetic candidates to join our team of classroom staff and carry out the Head Start/Early Head Start Mission to “better prepare young children and their families for life experiences now and in the future.” This is a full-time, 10-month, benefits-eligible position supporting our lead teachers and children in daily classroom activities. Drake University offers amazing benefits that include tuition waiver and tuition exchange for employees, their partners, and dependents interested in pursuing a degree. This position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum and practice for preschool-aged children in our Highland Park classroom. The role consists of light cooking, working directly with children, and occasional home visits. **Minimum Qualifications:**High School diploma Ability to obtain Preschool CDA (Child Development Associate) certification within two years of hire, paid for by Drake University Head Start. Access to reliable transportation to get to and from your work site daily and ability to be insured by the University's insurance carrier. **Preferred Qualifications:**Head Start Experience. Current Iowa Driver's License Essential Job Duties:45% Support Lead Teacher Instruction & Child development and behavior. Follow lesson plans while adapting plans to meet individual learning styles. Promote successful classroom performance for each student. Create a developmentally appropriate environment based on interests and individual needs of children where they are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment, and problem solve. Share interesting ideas and activities with Lead Teacher to share with children. Encourage the child to develop a positive self-concept and support that self-concept with proper guidance and discipline techniques. Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality. Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers, and visitors to respond to children's environmental needs. Supervise children in non-classroom settings such as indoor large motor activities, playground, outings away from the classroom and arrival and dismissal with families, etc. 35% Health, Nutrition, and Safety Prepare breakfast, lunch, snack, beverages, and any required recipes by following proper and safe food preparation and sanitation methods. With training and assistance of the Head Start nurse, follow written health/emergency care plans, and give medications as directed. Give basic first aid to any child or staff in need. Ensure that all health and safety procedures are followed in all classroom and outdoor activities. Help children during their daily bathroom routine by offering direction and support when needed, including toileting. Participate in snack/meal activities by assisting staff with serving food, eating with children, and cleaning up after meals. 10% Documentation, Records, & Compliance Assist staff with documentation and observation of children while ensuring confidentiality of all documents maintained in the department. Assist in creating and maintaining accurate confidential records within applicable regulations and performance standards. Prepare and maintain all necessary paperwork and records according to CACFP guidelines. Pick and review orders of all shopping lists provided. May order food and related items. 5% Professional Development and Role Expectations Maintain an organized classroom, cleaning up after each activity and assisting staff with the special needs of the entire center. Continue professional growth by attending classes and workshops, reading new materials, and contributing resource ideas to the program. Travel for business purposes within Head Start service area. 5% Federal Head Start Program Performance Standards, state and local regulations, rules, and requirements compliance. Maintain strict confidentiality of all records and documents. Maintain department records and reports in a secure manner. Represent Drake University and Drake University Head Start in a professional manner. Treat clients, co-workers, staff, parents and community members with respect and civility, and always ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. React to change productively, maintain prompt and regular attendance, and perform all other duties as assigned. Promote Head Start philosophy and initiatives.**Special Instructions to Applicants:**For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter. If you have any questions about this job positing or the application process, please email [e-mail] A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Benefits Overview | Drake University.One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Benefits Overview | Drake University. For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.**About Drake:** **Drake University** is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees. All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments. **STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY**At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Learn more about why Drake is an exceptional place to work: An Exceptional Working Environment | Drake University Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; email: **[e-mail]**) and let us know how we can assist you. At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.