Hillsboro Head Start Teacher

HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION, INC; Hillsboro (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Hill Country Community Action Association, Inc. is seeking a Head Start Teacher responsible for managing a classroom and implementing the Head Start curriculum. Ideal candidates possess an early childhood education degree and extensive experience with young children. Responsibilities include lesson planning, classroom management, and ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment. Employees will enjoy benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid holidays. The role emphasizes leadership, communication skills, and flexibility in diverse classroom environments.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 9 college hours of Child Development or Early Childhood Education.
• Extensive experience working with young children, preferably in a classroom setting.
• Knowledge and experience with lesson planning and classroom management.

Responsibilities

• Manage classroom environment ensuring safety and developmental appropriateness.
• Develop lesson plans with Teacher Assistant tailored to meet children's needs.
• Conduct home visits and conferences with parents.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

Associates or Bachelor's degree in early childhood education

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Hill Country Community Action Association, Inc.

Job Title

Head Start Teacher (12 months)

Reports To

Teacher/Director, Site Director or Designated Coordinator

FLSA Status

Non‑exempt

Position Summary

The Head Start Teacher is responsible for the overall management of a classroom, ensuring that the objectives delineated in the annual Head Start plan are implemented. The Teacher will be knowledgeable of Texas Minimum Standards for Licensing, and provide a supportive, safe, and stimulating learning environment.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness; create an atmosphere in which the children feel comfortable and secure, reflecting the cultures of all enrolled children.
• Observe the children at all times; provide positive guidance to promote self‑esteem.
• Work with the Teacher Assistant to develop lesson plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, planning for variations in ability levels and individual interests.
• Ensure that all classroom staff are competent in their abilities to interact appropriately with the children.
• Incorporate developmentally appropriate practice according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards as well as Hill Country Community Action quality Head Start standards.
• Consistently implement classroom routines, including hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities.
• Operate the classroom in compliance with all childcare‑licensing standards, paying particular attention to standards prohibiting any form of physical punishment.
• Attend ARD meetings as scheduled.
• Model team leadership: ensure that the teamwork concept is upheld and implemented at the center.
• Ensure that the arrangement of the classroom provides a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment.
• Responsible for documentation in ½ of the children's files in all content areas.
• Complete Individual Developmental Plans for each enrolled child; continue the on‑going assessment process, maintaining written or computer records on each child.
• Supply a variety of materials and planned activities designed to encourage individual and group play.
• Offer a variety of language stimulation activities.
• Provide experiences involving thinking skills such as generalizing, classifying, sorting, and problem solving.
• Make available a variety of opportunities to help children develop and understand appropriate relationships with others.
• Provide continuous opportunities for children to experience success.
• Contribute to the operation of the center by participating in staff meetings and sharing information gained through attendance at workshops and Head Start training.
• Observe, record, and report any child's behavior, sharing information appropriately with other staff members.
• Assist with transition activities for the Head Start child and family: into Head Start, during the year, and to the next placement (kindergarten).
• Complete required home visits or center conferences with parents in conjunction with the Family Service staff.
• Assist the children at snack, breakfast, and lunchtime, ensuring that the Head Start philosophy of serving family‑style meals is maintained and that the children serve themselves. The Teacher Assistant and Teacher will both be seated at the table(s) with the children at mealtimes.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Head Start Program Director.

Job Requirements

Annual Pre‑Service Training

Mandatory

Education

Associates, Bachelor's or advanced degree in early childhood education or related field. (In order for a degree to be considered related, you must have at least 9 college hours of Child Development or Early Childhood Education on your transcript).

Experience

Should have extensive experience of working with young children, preferably in a classroom setting. Should have knowledge and experience with lesson planning, classroom management, and social‑emotional development.

Skills and Abilities

Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills, as well as a thorough understanding of developmentally appropriate practice. The Teacher must have the ability to communicate in a positive way to all employees and families and seek solutions to misunderstandings or problems. Must be flexible and have well‑developed written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. Must be able to provide guidance to classroom staff, maintain records, prepare reports, and clearly understand written or verbal instruction. Ability to organize, manage, and control workflow. Ability to work effectively with individuals from various ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Ability to identify, assimilate, comprehend, and solve critical elements of various situations (initiate solutions without constant supervision).

Other

Professional manner and attire. No record of a conviction which would contraindicate employment. Must have a valid Class C driver’s license and a reliable vehicle with current vehicle liability insurance; insurable under HCCAA’s vehicle insurance policy. An initial Head Start physical screening within 30 days of hire. Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications (collateral rather than primary duty of this position). Must comply with all HCCAA Policies, and maintain confidentiality and courtesy in all phases of agency operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsible for the guidance of the classroom team (Assistant, Classroom Aide) and volunteers; may be called upon to assist the Teacher/Director in their supervisory duties.

Equipment to be Used

Must be able to operate a computer and other office machines such as fax, calculator, copier, and telephone.

Typical Physical Demands

Requires interacting with the children on their level at times (on the floor), and sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and driving. May require lifting to 40 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. Requires a normal range of hearing and vision. Must be able to react quickly (run after a child, immediately go to the scene of an incident).

Typical Mental Demands

Must be able to analyze the effectiveness of classroom operations and choose the most effective course of action for the Head Start program at any given point in time. Must handle new and diverse work problems daily. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with employees at all levels within the Agency. Bilingual skills are encouraged. Knowledge of basic math and literacy skills. Ability to record data pertinent to Head Start Performance Standards.

Working Conditions

During the Head Start school year the classroom staff is scheduled to work an alternate work schedule to coincide with the center’s hours of operation. (As assigned for those working less than full time). The center hours of operation are typically 7:30 am‑4:00 pm, Monday‑Friday. The Center Director will plan the work schedule for each employee. To meet program goals, classroom staff will occasionally be required to perform duties outside their alternate work schedule. Some out‑of‑town and overnight travel are required.

Employee Benefits

Accrual of sick and vacation leave, health insurance, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and up to 15 paid holidays per year. Options for employee paid benefits. Eligibility for benefits is based on Personnel Policies & Procedures and benefits are subject to change.