Head Start Teacher | Johnson City, Tennessee
Ready to spark curiosity and change lives? As a Head Start Teacher, you’ll do more than teach—you’ll help prepare children ages 3–5 for success in school and beyond. Unlike a traditional preschool, Head Start provides a comprehensive approach to early childhood education by integrating learning with health, nutrition, and family engagement. You’ll create a classroom where discovery thrives, while partnering with families to support each child’s emotional, physical, cognitive, and social development.
If you’re passionate about early childhood education and want to make a lasting impact, apply today and join a team that’s changing lives every day!
Essential Functions
Foster social and emotional development using positive guidance techniques
Create and deliver age-appropriate daily lesson plans and schedules
Maintain a safe, healthy classroom following Active Supervision, safety curriculums and accurately track student headcounts and transition protocols
Supervise and mentor classroom staff and volunteers with constructive feedback and modeling
Implement proactive classroom management strategies for smooth daily operations
Support each child’s emotional growth with a warm, culturally sensitive environment
Observe, assess, and tailor activities to promote children’s physical and intellectual growth
Maintain positive, respectful communication with families, staff, community members, and conduct home visits
Adhere to agency policies, complete assigned tasks, and uphold professionalism
Support children's social and emotional development using positive guidance
Creative thinker and effective problem solver with strong written and verbal communication skills
Perform other duties as assigned
Benefits
Healthcare coverage is provided through the State of Tennessee, with UETHDA covering 100% of the monthly premium for employee-only plans (valued at approximately $600 per month or $7,200 annually). Additional coverage options are available, with any cost difference paid by the employee
1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)
Retirement Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees contribute 5% of annual wages on a pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan. UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees become fully vested after five years of eligible service
Group Term Life Insurance (coverage equal to 1.5 times annual wages) and Voluntary Life Insurance are offered, with Group Term Life fully paid by UETHDA
Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability options are available at 100% cost to the employee
1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)
Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match
Minimum Requirements
Minimum requirement is an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; Bachelors degree preferred
2+ years of experience with preschool children (preferred)
Meets Tennessee DHS standards for preschool day care centers
Must pass background check and physical exam with the ability to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds
Must have valid TN driver's license
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time non-exempt position and is paid hourly. Typically, this position will work 40 hours per week, approximately 43-46 weeks per school year with a summer lay off of approximately 6 to 9 weeks. Employees are eligible to apply for unemployment during the 6-9 weeks of temporary summer lay-off. Working days are Monday through Friday with varying day shift hours depending on location. Elected benefits continue during temporary summer lay-off. Work is based in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
UETHDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring passionate, diverse professionals who want to make a difference.
Salary Based 100% on Education/Degree.
$17.75 hourly for AS in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
$20.50 hourly for BS in Early Childhood Education/Child Development.
