Head Teacher

Lorain County Community Action Agency; Lorain (OH); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorain County Community Action Agency is hiring a Head Start Teacher to oversee the academic and social-emotional development of preschool children. The role emphasizes partnering with families, adhering to Head Start standards, and collaborating with co-teachers to create engaging, developmentally appropriate activities.

The position requires an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, strong communication skills, and willingness to participate in ongoing professional

Qualifications

• Completion of an Associates Degree (ECE) or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education
• Preschool teaching experience preferred
• At least one year of working experience in a classroom with young children
• Willingness to pursue degree attainment via courses and workshops
• Must have reliable transportation for home visits and to work

Responsibilities

• Work within goals and policies to meet Head Start performance standards
• Ensure compliance with licensing rules and quality standards
• Take charge of the assigned classroom during class periods
• Provide a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment
• Prepare and conduct classroom activities and lesson plans
• Perform ongoing developmental assessments and develop individualized plans
• Maintain records including progress reports and communications with families
• Promote parent involvement and effective home-school partnerships
• Collaborate with co-teachers and families to support children’s learning
• Complete required trainings and maintain documentation for program standards

Skills

Oral and written communication

Collaborative work

Technology for reporting

Education

Associates Degree (ECE)

Early Childhood Education

Job description

About the Organization Lorain County Community Action Agency is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve and empower Lorain County residents in need.

EOE Statement Lorain County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our application forms are designed to obtain an applicant's skills, knowledge and abilities based on specific job requirements. Questions are designed to elicit enough data for us to determine an applicant's abilities to successfully perform the job for which she/he is applying. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Category Head Start

Position Head Start Teacher

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Description

The Head Teacher is responsible for the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all preschool children in their care; develops partnerships with parents/guardians to engage and encourage parent participation in the program. Head Teacher is also responsible for assuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, ODJFS Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations, and Step Up to Quality Program Standards; and works collegially with other staff members of LCCAA Head Start.

Ability to work with low-income and disadvantaged pre-school children and adults. Must possess good oral and written communication skills. The ability to relate to and work with young children and their families. Ability to utilize technology for reporting, assessments, and communication purposes.

Position Requirements

Essential Job Functions

• Work within goals, policies and activities designed to meet performance standards and other Head Start mandates;
• Ensure compliance with ODJFS Child Care Licensing Rules & Regulations and Step Up to Quality Program Standards;
• Within performance standards, assumes complete charge of assigned classroom and/or other assigned areas during class period;
• Provides a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects children's learning and growth;
• Prepare and conduct classroom activities;
• Perform on-going developmental assessments of children as required by funding sources and develop lesson plans and follow curriculum implementation that addresses the individual needs of each child;
• On an on-going basis, plan evaluate and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.
• Assesses the individual child and develop an individualized learning plan for each child in conjunction with the child's family;
• Provide responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interest and needs of the individual child and the group.
• Prepare developmental progress reports as needed;
• Complete child transition and orientation of the classroom with families;
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the children's background by incorporating the culture, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the program and lesson plans;
• Maintains current, complete, accurate and timely records as required by the program, and ensure their confidentiality;
• Completes an annual inventory of the classroom equipment;
• Makes both verbal and written reports;
• Assists in serving meals to the children, utilizing a family style approach;
• Works collaboratively with co-teacher in sharing responsibilities for the classroom;
• Maintains liaisons with families of the children through no fewer than two home visits per year and two conferences;
• Ensure that each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experiences clear communication with teaching staff;
• Ensuring the dissemination of newsletters and other communications are shared with families;
• Prepare home teaching lessons to share with the families;
• Makes referrals to Family Advocates on behalf of children and families;
• Make referrals to Disabilities Manager as appropriate, based on screening results, observations, or family concerns;
• Supports/Integrates all Head Start components as possible into the classroom;
• Assists in promoting and tracking active parent participation in all Head Start components;
• Attends center/parent/agency meetings as required;
• Must attend all in-service training, pre-service training and workshops provided by the program;
• Maintains Ohio Professional Development Registry Profile;
• Recruits classroom volunteers and develops plans for their participation;
• Other duties as assigned by the appropriate supervisor and;
• Abides by all applicable Agency rules and regulations;

Qualifications

Completion of an Associates Degree (ECE) or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, preschool teaching experience preferred. At least one year of working experience in a classroom situation with young children. Willingness to continue education toward degree attainment by taking special courses, attending training workshops and seminars in the city and out of town. Must have reliable transportation for home visits and getting to work. Must have liability insurance. Must meet all requirements for personnel of the Ohio Department of Education, Head Start Performance Standards, ODJFS Child Care Licensing, and SUTQ Program Standards.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently walk throughout the day (Ex. hallway to restroom, gym, outside, etc.)
• Frequently required to stand and sit, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend and squat to children's eye level throughout the day.
• Have the ability to be fast on their feet and maintain endurance to keep up with 3-5 year old age children.
• Have the ability to lift and carry 10- 25 pounds and in case of an emergency a 40 pound child.
• Frequently uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Frequent face-to-face verbal conversations and the ability to hear and listen.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Ability to work with low-income and disadvantaged pre-school children and adults. Must possess good oral and written communication skills. The ability to relate to and work with young children and their families. Ability to utilize technology for reporting, assessments, and communication purposes.

Location LCCAA Head Start

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

Open Date 9/15/2026

Close Date 11/30/2026

Salary Range: $21.24 -- $23.48 (depending on education)

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

This position is currently accepting applications.