Head Start Teacher

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

Paid Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and holidays

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.