Make a Difference Every Day
Do you have a passion for early childhood education and a heart for helping young children learn, grow, and succeed? Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a lasting impact on children and families in your community?
Join our Head Start team and become a leader in the classroom, helping children build strong foundations for lifelong learning. As a Lead Teacher, you will create engaging learning experiences, support classroom staff, and partner with families to promote each child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Competitive Pay
- $19.49/hour with Early Childhood Education Associate Degree
- $21.44/hour with Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree
- Outstanding Work-Life Balance
- Full-time schedule: 40 hours per week, 38 weeks per year
- No evenings, weekends, or overtime required
- Paid winter/holiday break
- Exceptional Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- FREE life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 14 paid holidays annually
- Paid inclement weather days
- Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities
- Career growth and advancement opportunities
What You'll Do
As a Lead Teacher, you'll serve as the instructional leader in the classroom by:
- Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with Head Start Performance Standards
- Creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children
- Supervising and mentoring classroom staff and volunteers
- Supporting children's growth in social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development
- Building positive relationships with families to support engagement and learning
- Conducting two home visits per child per year
- Incorporating health, nutrition, and self-care routines into daily classroom activities
- Maintaining accurate documentation, assessments, and required reporting
- Collaborating with families, staff, and community partners to support child and family outcomes
- Participating in ongoing professional development and training opportunities
- Following all mandated reporting requirements for suspected child abuse or neglect
- Maintaining confidentiality in all program-related matters
What We're Looking For
- Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required (per Head Start Act requirements)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred
- 1–3 years of experience working with young children preferred
- Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, including CPR and First Aid
- Successful completion of Reliability Certification within 3 months of hire
- Strong communication and classroom management skills
- Ability to create lesson plans and deliver engaging instruction
- Computer proficiency, including word processing and data entry
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for trainings and home visits
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively as part of a team
The above description is not a comprehensive listing of all job specific responsibilities, tasks, and duties.
Search current openings and apply online at douglassonline.org
Douglass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and Drug-Free Workplace.
