Head Start Teacher Jobs in Tennessee
Head Start Teacher jobs in Tennessee concentrate heavily in community action agencies, federally funded early childhood programs, and nonprofit education organizations, with openings at every level from classroom aide to lead teacher and site supervisor. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the most active hiring metros, anchored by long-established employers such as Tennessee Department of Human Services grantees, Community Action Agency of Middle Tennessee, and Porter-Leath in Memphis. The most in-demand specialties are early literacy instruction, special needs inclusion, and family engagement coordination. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Mission Statement:
Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency will act as a stepping stone to create stronger communities where families with low incomes have opportunities to connect, grow, and maintain dignity.
Position Summary:
This dual-position posting is designed to create a flexible entry point for individuals interested in working with infants and toddlers in our Early Head Start program. Depending on your current qualifications, applicants will be considered for either:
- Early Head Start Teacher – for candidates who meet the educational requirements for a lead teaching role, or
- Multi-Site Teacher Assistant (Pathway Role) – for candidates who do not yet meet the qualifications but are eager to grow into the EHS Teacher role. Candidates hired as Multi-Site Teacher Assistants will receive support to earn their CDA credential and may transition into the Teacher role upon completion.
Exceptional Benefits Package
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Dental Insurance
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance
✅ Low-Cost Vision Insurance Available
✅ 5% Employer Contribution to Your 401(k) After One Year of Service — No Employee Contribution Required
✅ Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
✅ Professional Development Opportunities
✅ Meaningful Work Serving Children and Families
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Early Head Start Teacher and Multi-Site Teacher Assistant duties may include:
- Support or lead classroom instruction, planning, and implementation of daily lessons and activities aligned with individualized learning needs.
- Assist in conducting child assessments and using data to guide instruction and developmental planning.
- Foster strong partnerships with families through regular communication, home visits, conferences, and engagement in classroom activities.
- Collaborate with families to identify and access needed resources or community services.
- Assist with meal service, model social interactions during mealtime, and help maintain a clean and safe classroom environment.
- Participate in recruitment and enrollment efforts for Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
- Collect and maintain required child health and program documentation.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities at the local, state, and national levels.
- Support and document in-kind contributions and volunteer hours.
- Ensure compliance with MCCAA policies, Head Start Performance Standards, DHS Licensing, and NAEYC Accreditation.
Education and Experience Qualifications:
For Early Head Start Teacher:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
- At minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent coursework focused on infant/toddler development is required.
- Experience in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom preferred.
For Multi-Site Teacher Assistant:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- CDA credential or Associate’s degree preferred. (Must obtain CDA in Infant/Toddler within 6 months of hire)
- Previous experience with children ages 0–5 preferred.
- Willingness to travel to different classroom locations based on agency need.
Growth Opportunity:
This position provides a career pathway into the Early Head Start Teacher role. Candidates hired as Multi-Site Teacher Assistants will be supported in earning their CDA and may be promoted once all qualifications are met.
Mission Statement:
Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency will act as a stepping stone to create stronger communities where families with low incomes have opportunities to connect, grow, and maintain dignity.
Position Summary:
This dual-position posting is designed to create a flexible entry point for individuals interested in working with infants and toddlers in our Early Head Start program. Depending on your current qualifications, applicants will be considered for either:
- Early Head Start Teacher – for candidates who meet the educational requirements for a lead teaching role, or
- Multi-Site Teacher Assistant (Pathway Role) – for candidates who do not yet meet the qualifications but are eager to grow into the EHS Teacher role. Candidates hired as Multi-Site Teacher Assistants will receive support to earn their CDA credential and may transition into the Teacher role upon completion.
Exceptional Benefits Package
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Dental Insurance
✅ 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance
✅ Low-Cost Vision Insurance Available
✅ 5% Employer Contribution to Your 401(k) After One Year of Service — No Employee Contribution Required
✅ Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
✅ Professional Development Opportunities
✅ Meaningful Work Serving Children and Families
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Early Head Start Teacher and Multi-Site Teacher Assistant duties may include:
- Support or lead classroom instruction, planning, and implementation of daily lessons and activities aligned with individualized learning needs.
- Assist in conducting child assessments and using data to guide instruction and developmental planning.
- Foster strong partnerships with families through regular communication, home visits, conferences, and engagement in classroom activities.
- Collaborate with families to identify and access needed resources or community services.
- Assist with meal service, model social interactions during mealtime, and help maintain a clean and safe classroom environment.
- Participate in recruitment and enrollment efforts for Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
- Collect and maintain required child health and program documentation.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities at the local, state, and national levels.
- Support and document in-kind contributions and volunteer hours.
- Ensure compliance with MCCAA policies, Head Start Performance Standards, DHS Licensing, and NAEYC Accreditation.
Education and Experience Qualifications:
For Early Head Start Teacher:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
- At minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent coursework focused on infant/toddler development is required.
- Experience in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom preferred.
For Multi-Site Teacher Assistant:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- CDA credential or Associate’s degree preferred. (Must obtain CDA in Infant/Toddler within 6 months of hire)
- Previous experience with children ages 0–5 preferred.
- Willingness to travel to different classroom locations based on agency need.
Growth Opportunity:
This position provides a career pathway into the Early Head Start Teacher role. Candidates hired as Multi-Site Teacher Assistants will be supported in earning their CDA and may be promoted once all qualifications are met.
See All 16 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Head Start Teacher JobsHead Start Teacher Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Start Teacher Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head start teacher jobs across Tennessee.
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or bachelor's degree in early childhood education required
- Experience working with low-income families and children ages birth to five preferred
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and federal program requirements expected
- Valid Tennessee driver's license and reliable transportation frequently required for home visits
- Ability to pass a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check before hire
- Basic proficiency in child assessment tools such as Teaching Strategies GOLD required
Head Start Teacher Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head start teacher in Tennessee?
To become a head start teacher in Tennessee, you need at minimum a Child Development Associate credential, though most Tennessee programs now require or strongly prefer an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Tennessee does not issue a separate state license exclusively for Head Start teachers, but employers must comply with federal Head Start Program Performance Standards. Many Tennessee community action agencies also require completion of Tennessee's approved pre-service orientation before you work directly with children.
Which companies hire head start teachers in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring head start teachers in Tennessee include Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, and UETHDA Head Start, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's Head Start workforce is largely distributed across nonprofit community action agencies and county-level grantees that receive federal funding directly, making it one of the more decentralized employer landscapes in the state.
Which Tennessee cities have the most head start teacher jobs?
Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Dickson lead Tennessee for head start teacher openings. Nashville's large and growing low-income family population drives consistent demand across Metro Nashville's community action network, Memphis anchors a historically strong Head Start presence through organizations like Porter-Leath, and Knoxville's Knox County and surrounding Appalachian communities are served by longstanding federally funded grantees that maintain steady classroom staffing needs.
Are there remote head start teacher jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Head Start teaching is inherently hands-on, requiring direct classroom instruction, home visits, and in-person family engagement, so most roles are fully on-site. About 0% of head start teacher openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions are almost always administrative or family services coordinator roles rather than lead classroom teacher positions.
How can I get hired as a head start teacher in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a classroom aide or assistant teacher role at a Tennessee community action agency, which typically requires only a high school diploma and a willingness to earn your Child Development Associate credential on the job. Organizations such as Community Action Agency of Middle Tennessee and Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee regularly hire entry-level assistants and provide CDA sponsorship. Completing Tennessee's Early Childhood Training System courses before applying gives candidates a meaningful edge over other entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No signup is needed to see or apply to openings.
See All 16 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Start Teacher Jobs