Head Start Teacher Jobs in Texas

Job Summary

The Early Head Start Teacher creates and maintains an attractive, warm, and engaging learning environment for infants and toddlers by incorporating appropriate early intervention, learning, and care activities that meet the needs of both the group and individual children and families. This position reports to the Early Head Start (EHS) Area Service Manager.

Major Duties

• Implements the Early Head Start curriculum and Head Start Performance Standards for Early Head Start classrooms.
• Prepares daily lesson plans in advance that include indoor and outdoor activities, are individualized to infants' and toddlers' needs, interests, and schedules, and incorporate multicultural educational materials and activities.
• Ensures the safety policy is adhered to at all times.
• Documents volunteer activities and parent communication regarding children's functions and activities.
• Organizes the classroom according to the developmental levels and individual needs of the infant or toddler, ensuring the development of trust and emotional security; opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences; opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression; and opportunities for gross and fine motor development.
• Ensures infant and toddler classrooms are home-like, safe, sanitary, and clutter-free.
• Organizes the toddler classroom into well-defined, rudimentary learning centers, rotating materials regularly to create a stimulating environment.
• Provides diaper-changing and toilet-training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary, and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Promotes the development of secure relationships with infants/toddlers by ensuring primary and continuity of care.
• Relates to infants and toddlers in a calm, caring, nurturing, soothing manner, responding to all cries, babbles, and talks, using appropriate child guidance techniques at all times. Stays involved with children throughout the day.
• Observes children and records observations in anecdotal records, making appropriate referrals.
• Conducts or assists with developmental screenings, as assigned.
• Participates in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) as required.
• Maintains up-to-date individual and group checklists in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Manages classroom operations and provides training and technical assistance to Teacher Floater, parents, and volunteers as needed.
• Maintains a clean, safe learning environment at all times.
• Provides meals and snacks tailored to children's age, development, and individual needs. Feeds infants according to their home schedule, holds them every time they are fed, and shares daily information about their eating with their parents. Begin family-style dining with toddlers when they are ready, and implement in accordance with program policy and procedures and Early Head Start Performance Standards.
• Involves parents in all aspects of the classroom. Greets parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the center, a positive home-center connection, and a family partnership.
• Maintains ongoing, professional, and appropriate communication with parents through a variety of methods and sends home activities for parents to do with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning. Encourages parents to participate in workshops, training, and other Head Start activities.
• Conducts at least two home visits and one parent conference with each child's family per year, according to the program schedule, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains accurate attendance records, food reports, in-kind reports, and other record-keeping and reports, as required.
• Participates in program training, weekly staff meetings, and case management meetings.
• Maintains supplies and submits a list to the supervisor when additional items are needed.
• Reports to work on time and maintains good attendance.
• Performs all duties in a timely and professional manner.
• Participates with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
• Continues professional growth by participating in Early Childhood Education classes, training programs, workshops/conferences, as the budget allows.
• Performs other relevant responsibilities as required by the program.

• Knowledge of computers and job-related software applications, including the Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, including FERPA and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and effectively interact with infants, toddlers, and their families.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, good moral character, self-confidence, and effective multitasking skills.
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with parents, children, colleagues, and other agency personnel, while maintaining confidentiality regarding all facets of the program in compliance with FERPA and other federal and state regulations.
• Ability to maintain good judgment and self-control when under stress.
• Ability to provide and maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment.
• Ability to maintain regular and dependable attendance.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess an Infant and Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, an Associate Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, or a certificate in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. Applicants must have completed training or equivalent coursework in age-appropriate early childhood development.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands/Work Environment
Occasionally

• Adjusting or moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Driving a County vehicle or a personal vehicle for County business.
• Working in low temperatures.
• Working in high temperatures.
• Working in outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Working in noisy environments.
• Working in small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Working in adverse environmental conditions is expected.

• Moving oneself in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the use of wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

• Must possess a valid and current Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving history. *If the applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver’s License must be obtained prior to employment.
• The Webb County Drug and Alcohol Policy applies to this position. Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check, and a criminal background check are required.
• If applicable, this position may be covered by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations and, therefore, may be subject to those rules and regulations in addition to all other Webb County policies.
• Webb County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
• If applicable, this position may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job.
• For positions funded in whole or in part through a grant award, employment is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funds and compliance with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the applicable grant agreement. Compensation, benefits, and leave accruals, including vacation, sick leave, and other paid leave, may be subject to grant-specific requirements, to the extent permitted by applicable law and County policy.
  The reduction, expiration, or termination of grant funding may result in the modification or elimination of a grant-funded position.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

There are a wide variety of benefits available to Webb County employees. These benefits includes: health, dental, vision, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending account for health care.