Head Start Teacher (Wonder Years-10 months)

Drake University; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start programs seek a Head Start Program Coordinator to lead a classroom team serving children ages 3-5 and a Teacher Associate.

The coordinator will develop and implement developmentally appropriate curricula, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with licensing and program performance standards. This on-site role emphasizes collaboration with families and staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood or elementary education, or related field.
• One year of experience in a preschool setting.
• Ability to pass state childcare licensing requirements.
• Ability to be insured by Drake University's insurance carrier.

Responsibilities

• Maintain children's files and monitor progress to evaluate curriculum.
• Follow lesson plans and adapt to individual learning styles.
• Communicate with parents, staff, and visitors while maintaining confidentiality.
• Establish rapport with families and support a safe, engaging classroom.

Education

B.S. or B.A. in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education

Job description

Head Start Program Coordinator

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

This position is responsible for leading children ages 3-5 and a teacher associate in daily classroom activities. The lead teacher is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating early childhood, developmentally appropriate curriculum and practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education.
• One year of experience in a preschool environment.
• Ability to pass all state childcare licensing requirements.
• Ability to be insured by the University's insurance carrier.

Preferred Qualifications

• Early Childhood endorsement.
• Current teaching license with special education endorsement.
• Head Start/Early Head Start experience.
• Current driver's license.

Essential Job Functions

• 25% Maintain children's files, check off forms at admission, file them and check annually for licensing. Document and monitor children's progress to evaluate appropriateness of curriculum to meet children's developmental needs. Create and maintain accurate, confidential reports and records within applicable regulations and performance standards.
• 25% Conduct instruction by following lesson plan while adapting plan to meet individual learning styles. Create a developmentally appropriate environment where children are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment and problem solve. Support children's social-emotional development. Promote successful classroom performance for each teaching team.
• 15% 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. Ensure the coordination of health issues of children and families with designated nurses.
• 15% Partner with staff in the development and implementation of the curriculum and maintaining a safe, orderly, and high-quality work environment. Ensure an organized, clean classroom and present interesting ideas and activities to share with children.
• 10% Partner with Teacher Associate to ensure classroom compliance with federal, state and local regulations of the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Participate in mealtime activities by assisting with serving food, eating with the children, and cleaning up after meals.
• 5% Conduct initial and ongoing family home visits and socializations (if applicable). Travel for business purposes within 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. Continue professional growth by attending classes and workshops, reading new materials, and contributing resources to the program. 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 ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone at all times. React to change productively, maintain prompt and regular attendance, and perform all other duties as assigned. Promote Head Start philosophy and initiatives.

Salary and Compensation

Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Benefits

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.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Professional Growth and Support

Inspire lifelong learning through tuition benefits for employees and their eligible dependents/partner to pursue degrees at Drake Encourage work/life balance through competitive personal time, vacation and holiday schedule, including an extended Winter Break Practice shared governance and strategic planning through various representative bodies, including Faculty Senate and All Staff Council Support research through internal and external grants as well as through collaborative student engagement All In This Together - Drake Bulldogs find a home where they can pursue their passions and ideas while having an impact on the future of our University. One of Drake’s top strategic priorities is to maintain and build our inclusive community. Drake University moves past mere tolerance of diversity and creates a culture of inclusion that sees diversity of identities, backgrounds, and ideas as fundamental to our excellence and success as an institution. A welcoming and diverse campus is critical to delivering on our mission of providing an exceptional learning environment.

Inclusion Initiatives

Some key inclusion and diversity initiatives and activities on campus include: Drake's Campus Climate Assessment, which gauged the experiences and attitudes of current faculty, staff, and students, showcases a racially Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups Free or reduced tickets to fine arts and select athletics events make it easy to proudly support our students and colleagues. A variety of workshops, webinars, lectures and events aimed at encouraging civil debate and bringing the world to campus to support our commitment to lifelong learning. Check out our campus tour video highlighting Drake University. Self-Directed Drake Campus Tour