OPT Head Start Teacher Jobs
Head Start Teacher jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in early childhood education, child development, or a related field. Most positions qualify as STEM-adjacent through Child Development Associate credentials, and many federal Head Start grantees have experience hiring international candidates on work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Title: Teacher - Early Head Start Program
Division: Research and Sponsored Programs
Department: COE Learning Sciences
Number of hours per week: 40
Days to be worked: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Months per year: Fiscal (12 months)
Job Type: Full-Time
Campus: Other
If other location, please indicate: Henry, Gibson, Weakley Counties
Position Number: 107005
Advertised Salary: $32,760 - $39,312
Pay Basis: Semi-Monthly
Job Description
This professional will direct the activities of children and families in the Early Head Start program. Provide developmentally appropriate quality care for children ages 0-3 in a child care center. Develop individualized lesson plans for children in their caseload. Participate in meetings involving children and families to help assess, plan, and coordinate core service delivery.
Be a responsible, mature, caring individual with experience in early childhood development, parenting education and family case management services. Knowledge of state, regional and local family resources preferred. Ability to make decisions in accordance with established procedures. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with, parents, children, coworkers and the public.
Must be able to do the following:
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the basic principles of appropriate early childhood development;
- Work as a team member, establish and maintain effective, working relationships with staff, children and families;
- Maintain respectful relationships and communication with staff, families, children and the community;
- Organize, manage, and control work flow;
- Work with individuals from various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds;
- Work collaboratively with Mentor Teachers, Center Managers, Coordinators and Directors;
- Complete and submit required paperwork and reports as scheduled;
- Participate in program group activities, such as parent meetings, advisory committee meetings, and family social events, as appropriate and assigned.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of a Child Development Credential (CDA) required. An Infant/Toddler CDA, degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field preferred.
Knowledge of psychological and biological needs of infants and toddlers. Ability to prepare and present educational materials. Professional knowledge of instructional methods, materials, and program development.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University. Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire. An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section. You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.
Open Date: 08/07/2026
Close Date: 08/21/2026
Job Category: Clerical
Benefits
Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.
Minimum References Required: 2
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
- Transcript 1
Optional Documents
Position Title: Teacher - Early Head Start Program
Division: Research and Sponsored Programs
Department: COE Learning Sciences
Number of hours per week: 40
Days to be worked: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Months per year: Fiscal (12 months)
Job Type: Full-Time
Campus: Other
If other location, please indicate: Henry, Gibson, Weakley Counties
Position Number: 107005
Advertised Salary: $32,760 - $39,312
Pay Basis: Semi-Monthly
Job Description
This professional will direct the activities of children and families in the Early Head Start program. Provide developmentally appropriate quality care for children ages 0-3 in a child care center. Develop individualized lesson plans for children in their caseload. Participate in meetings involving children and families to help assess, plan, and coordinate core service delivery.
Be a responsible, mature, caring individual with experience in early childhood development, parenting education and family case management services. Knowledge of state, regional and local family resources preferred. Ability to make decisions in accordance with established procedures. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with, parents, children, coworkers and the public.
Must be able to do the following:
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the basic principles of appropriate early childhood development;
- Work as a team member, establish and maintain effective, working relationships with staff, children and families;
- Maintain respectful relationships and communication with staff, families, children and the community;
- Organize, manage, and control work flow;
- Work with individuals from various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds;
- Work collaboratively with Mentor Teachers, Center Managers, Coordinators and Directors;
- Complete and submit required paperwork and reports as scheduled;
- Participate in program group activities, such as parent meetings, advisory committee meetings, and family social events, as appropriate and assigned.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of a Child Development Credential (CDA) required. An Infant/Toddler CDA, degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field preferred.
Knowledge of psychological and biological needs of infants and toddlers. Ability to prepare and present educational materials. Professional knowledge of instructional methods, materials, and program development.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check as mandated by Tennessee State University. Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire. An unofficial transcript may be attached in the “Transcript” section. You will be required to provide names and contact information for three references during your application to the posting. If you are the recommended candidate for the position, our online hiring system will automatically generate solicitation for these letters using contact information you provided.
Open Date: 08/07/2026
Close Date: 08/21/2026
Job Category: Clerical
Benefits
Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.
Minimum References Required: 2
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
- Transcript 1
Optional Documents
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Head Start Teacher
Target federal Head Start grantees directly
Federal Head Start grantees receive public funding and often have HR infrastructure familiar with work authorization. Search for programs administered by community action agencies or school districts, which are more likely to have processed OPT paperwork before.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Head Start hiring cycles run on school-year timelines, typically spring for fall starts. Make sure your OPT authorization covers the start date and, if applicable, explain your STEM OPT extension eligibility to give employers confidence in your availability.
Highlight your Child Development Associate credential
A CDA credential signals competency to Head Start employers and satisfies federal staffing requirements. If you hold one, lead with it in applications. If not, enrolling before or during your OPT period demonstrates initiative and strengthens your candidacy.
Emphasize bilingual skills as a hiring advantage
Head Start programs serve diverse, often low-income communities where bilingual teachers are in high demand. If you speak Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, or another language common in the program's service area, feature that skill prominently in your application.
Address OPT proactively in your cover letter
Many Head Start hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT. A brief, confident sentence explaining your authorization period and renewal eligibility removes uncertainty. Framing it as a solved problem rather than a question reduces friction in the hiring process.
Focus on programs with 50 or more staff
Larger Head Start programs are more likely to have dedicated HR departments familiar with employment verification requirements. Smaller single-site programs may be less equipped to process work authorization paperwork, making larger grantees a more practical starting point.
Head Start Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Head Start Teachers?
Yes. Head Start Teacher roles qualify under OPT as long as your degree is directly related to the position, typically in early childhood education, child development, or a related field. Your EAD card is the only work authorization document the employer needs to verify. You can browse open roles on Migrate Mate.
Do Head Start programs sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Some do, but it depends on the grantee. Larger Head Start programs operated by school districts or community action agencies are more likely to have experience with H-1B visa sponsorship than small nonprofit operators. It's worth asking about long-term sponsorship intentions during the interview process, before accepting an offer.
Does a Head Start Teacher role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Not on its own. Head Start Teacher is not a STEM-designated role under the standard STEM OPT CIP code list. However, if your degree was in a STEM-classified field such as cognitive science, psychology with a quantitative focus, or child development with a STEM designation, your degree field determines eligibility, not the job title itself.
What documentation does a Head Start employer need to hire me on OPT?
Your employer needs your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) showing your OPT authorization period, your passport, and your F-1 visa documents including your I-20. Head Start programs are federally funded and subject to strict I-9 verification, so having these documents organized and ready to present on your first day avoids delays.
How early should I start applying for Head Start Teacher jobs on OPT?
Head Start programs typically hire two to four months before a program year begins, usually in late summer for fall starts. You should begin applying at least 90 days before your intended start date. Because OPT applications take up to 90 days to process, plan your USCIS filing timeline before you even start the job search.