Head Start Teacher

Do you want to make a difference in a child's life? As a , you will promote active learning in a preschool classroom by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate, individualized experiences and creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. We will count on you to use cognitive-developmental approaches to enhance the student's language and literacy skills. As a Head Start Teacher, you will also have the opportunity to plan and participate in parent education, parent engagement, and family support activities.

We offer various classroom sites across the county. Our classrooms are welcoming and designed for interactive learning by children and their families. We offer a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10 with 20 students per classroom, to provide the greatest opportunity for a healthy and effective learning environment. Did we mention the County provides the supplies needed to support our teaching staff? We also offer to be part of a compassionate team of early education professionals who believe in the mission of preparing these children for future school success.

Be the spark that lights our children's path to success, and become a Head Start Teacher!

About Us

Together, we can thrive.

In Human Services, we focus on maximizing potential and providing support and resources for all stages of life. We partner with families and communities to encourage children to learn, invite youth and adults to cultivate professional skills, guide families to achieve financial success, and enable seniors to live independently.

Join our team and unlock your potential!

Proud to Offer

• Paid continuing education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement

• Fully supplied classrooms

• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card and renewal paid for by Maricopa County

• Amazing health and wellness programs, including Pet Insurance! Our health insurance plans are more than competitive, with the option to earn a wellness incentive payback of $60 per month

• Free Office of Head Startmembership

• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents

• Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12.29% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

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We Require

• One year of experience teaching in a licensed childcare or public pre-kindergarten setting

• Associate's degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or an equivalent college degree with 18 credits in early childhood education, child development, or infant/toddler development

We Also Value

• Bilingual Spanish and English-speaking skills

• Experience as a Head Start parent or staff

Job Contributions

• Assume responsibility for the supervision, care, and welfare of the classroom children, to ensure their safety and well-being at all times

• Develop, organize, and implement an age-appropriate child education curriculum

• Plan classroom experiences that meet different developmental stages, interests, temperaments, learning styles, languages, and cultural backgrounds

• Develop and implement a multicultural curriculum that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices which meet the needs and interests of students

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and Office of Head Start Performance Standards regulations, Arizona licensing requirements, and program policies and procedures

• Respect, value, and support each child and family to encourage parent participation as equal partners in all aspects of educational plans

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with each family, site team members, community agencies, community partners, and grantee staff members

Working Conditions

• Follows a partial year schedule that is typically comprised of 1,608 hours annually with Birth to Five site classrooms operating Monday - Friday

• Classroom, playground, and office environment with possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious disease

• Must obtain a CPR, first aid, and food handler's certification within six weeks of hire

• Must pass background check and obtain and Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card, upon hire

• Must pass medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB), upon hire

• Valid Arizona driver's license required upon hire

• Ability to travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday using a private or County vehicle

• Ability to fill in as a substitute staff member at another program site occasionally

• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, be indoors/outdoors for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds

• Ability to work with children with special needs, IEPs, 504s, and various medical conditions