Infant & Toddler Teacher - Lindale (Hiring Incentive)

Urban Strategies; Tennessee; On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization is seeking an Infant & Toddler Teacher to support the development of infants and toddlers in a safe, nurturing classroom environment. This role requires promoting parental engagement, adhering to federal standards, and creating educational plans tailored to individual needs. Ideal candidates will have experience in early childhood education and sound knowledge of developmental practices. The position offers a competitive hourly wage and the opportunity to impact young lives positively.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of successful experience as an infant/toddler teacher.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Valid Driver’s License and vehicle necessary.

Responsibilities

• Promote the development of infants and toddlers in a safe environment.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and regulations.
• Engage and communicate regularly with parents regarding child progress.

Skills

Early childhood education knowledge

Parental engagement

Classroom management

Education

AA Degree or CDA in early childhood education

BA/BS Degree in Child Development (preferred)

Job description

Position

Infant & Toddler Teacher - Lindale (Hiring Incentive)

Location: Houston EHS, TX

Job Id: 790

# of Openings: 4

Compensation: $15.00 hourly / $31,200 annually

Overview

Urban Strategies – Early Head Start provides services to equip, resource, and connect faith- and community-based organizations engaged in community transformation to help families reach their fullest potential. We work with trusted faith- and community-based organizations and focus on the Latino community to engage and support the whole family. Our vision is that all children and families reach their full potential. Our core values are Authentic Relationships, Servant Leadership, and Intentional Compassion.

Our organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with administrative offices in Johnson City, Tennessee. We work across the United States and Puerto Rico, with direct service centers in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico.

Position Overview

Teachers promote and support the social, emotional, physical, linguistic, and cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Teachers provide a safe, supervised classroom and outdoor learning environment; develop individual goals for children, assess progress, and facilitate transition into Head Start or other pre-school settings. Teachers encourage parent engagement in the child’s development. Teachers must meet Federal Head Start Performance Standards and Texas Early Learning Guidelines and may complete a professional development plan that may include university credentials.

Essential Functions

• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, State of Texas licensing requirements, and Urban Strategies policies and procedures.
• Maintain an open, friendly, professional relationship with staff and families, respecting culture, diversity, and ethnicity.
• Ensure the safety of all children and volunteers by complying with written safety standards.
• Monitor and ensure the confidentiality of children’s records.
• Assure an integrated approach to child development that includes health, nutrition, mental health, and disabilities services.

Position-Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment for children
  • Detect and report signs of illness, discomfort, and unusual behavior to the Family/Health Advocate and Center Manager.
  • Follow organizational processes for mandated reporting of suspected child abuse/neglect.
  • Keep classrooms, storage areas, and office space neat and clutter-free.
  • Follow all health, safety, and sanitation policies and procedures established by the program.
  • Report safety hazards observed indoors and outdoors.
  • Provide direct supervision and safety of all children at all times.
  • Create a pleasant, inviting atmosphere that respects each child’s ethnic, cultural, and language background.
  • Use conscious discipline guidance techniques as defined in the Discipline Policy and Procedures.
  • Set up, document, and serve daily meals and snacks appropriate to the children’s age.
  • Maintain an inventory of classroom furniture, materials, and supplies.
• Curriculum / Assessment / Teaching and Learning Environment
  • Develop lesson plans and utilize an approved curriculum reflecting mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promoting development across domains for all infants and toddlers, including dual language learners, homeless children, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.
  • Become proficient in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and align it to curriculum.
  • Follow a balanced schedule with group activities, choice time, music and movement, motor activities, meals, and transitions; adapt to children’s needs.
  • Maintain a nurturing, language-rich interaction and environment promoting social and emotional development.
  • Establish weekly goals supporting individual and group educational plans and health, mental health, and nutrition needs.
  • Assess each child’s growth using educational assessments, medical records, parent input, IEP/IFSP, screenings, and observations.
  • Develop child- and adult-directed educational activities based on strengths and needs.
  • Document baselines, ongoing assessments, and observations to align with school readiness goals/outcomes.
  • Use educational data collection, recording, analysis, and application.
  • Attend meetings, trainings, and professional development to advance proficiency in child development and learning.
• Parent, Family & Community Engagement
  • Promote parental engagement in child development and growth.
  • Model appropriate behavior and positive guidance techniques.
  • Communicate regularly with parents about each child’s progress across growth, development, learning, health, mental health, and nutrition.
  • Conduct required parent/teacher conferences and home visits; share classroom progress and strategies.
  • Plan home education activities in compliance with program standards.
  • Collaborate with appropriate agencies to develop specialized services for children and families as needed (including dual language learners, homeless children, foster children, and children with disabilities).

Physical Responsibilities

Ability to see, hear, and use hands to perform tasks. Ability to lift infants and toddlers up to 40 pounds, with occasional heavier lifts as needed; ability to sit on the floor, bend, kneel, and stoop frequently. The physical demands are representative of those required to perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations are available for employees with disabilities as long as this does not create undue risk to enrolled children.

Minimum Qualifications

• AA Degree or CDA in early childhood education with infant and toddler specialization or with training in infant and toddler development.
• Minimum two (2) years of successful experience as an infant/toddler teacher or caregiver.
• Basic computer skills
• Valid Driver’s License, personal vehicle, and liability insurance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree in Child Development with Infant and Toddler Development
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

Special Considerations

Other employment requirements include the following:

• All EHS employees must pass a mandatory criminal background check prior to hiring and every five years thereafter.
• Initial health exam and state required communicable disease screening and testing.
• Food Handlers Certification Card.

Employment is conditional pending satisfactory results of all required tests and background checks. Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances may be required if hired.