Early Head Start Teacher

Position Title: Early Head Start Teacher 

Location: Lynchburg 

Benefits:  

• Salary Range: $17.00-$19.50/Hour 
• Over 5 weeks of Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay to use at your discretion  
• Medical, Dental, and Vision  
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• 403(b) Retirement plan with company match and contribution 
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Company Paid Life insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance 

Summary: The Early Head Start (EHS) Teacher works in a pair to provide direct supervision for eight children per classroom. They provide high-quality, early education and child development services that promote children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth for later success in school. The EHS Teacher encourages family engagement through two home visits and two education conferences per program term. This position actively participates in individualized and ongoing professional development and coaching. This position requires the ability to follow mandated Virginia licensing, subsidy, and Office of Head Start (OHS) requirements. 

Success In This Role Looks Like:  

• Provide responsive care, effective teaching methods, and an organized learning environment to promote healthy development for all children in alignment with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (HSELOF), including children of all abilities, cultures, and languages.  
• Ensure a classroom environment that provides nurturing interactions and promotes emotional security; provide a foundation for early childhood communication and rich language development; promote critical thinking and problem solving; promote structure that supports life-skills development; utilize a formal curriculum that promotes social, emotional, and behavioral development.  
• Effectively plan weekly schedules, lesson plans, and organized activities using the program approved, research-based curriculum (HighScope) to support each child’s individual development and learning.  
• Utilize standardized screening and assessment tools (ASQ-3, ASQ-SE2, and DRDP); integrate data from these assessments into individual and group planning; notify managers and primary adults when development concerns are identified.  
• Collaborate with other Teachers and Assistant Teachers, Center Manager, Education Manager, Family Engagement Specialist, and Health and Disabilities Manager to ensure that services provided are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate to support each child’s individual preschool readiness.  
• Recognize primary adult roles as lifelong educators and support their involvement in their child’s education through home visits, regular communication, education conferences, and classroom volunteer opportunities.   

• Collaboratively work with the Center Manager to ensure the classroom consistently meets licensing, subsidy, HSPPS, and Virginia Quality (VQB5) requirements.  
• Participate in continuous quality improvement through supervision, training, and professional development. 

Career Path: 

• EHS Teacher > EHS Teacher II > Senior Teacher >  EHS Supervising Teacher > EHS Center Manager 

What You Bring To The Team:  

• A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) or comparable credential with a focus on infant and toddler development. Or a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field.  
• Ability to teach various age groups year-round from birth to age three through a research-based curriculum and developmental assessments.  
• Ability to establish professional relationships and maintain professional boundaries with diverse children, families, colleagues, and community partners.  
• Ability to be flexible and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to stressful situations with maturity.  
• Ability to lift and carry children, bend, sit on the floor, and be physically active inside and outside in all weather.  
• Willingness to travel within 50 miles of the EHS Center 4 times per year for home visits and professional development. 
• Proficient computer knowledge, ability to adapt to new technology, learn new software systems (ChildPlus and Procare), and maintain daily data entry responsibilities while protecting family confidentiality. 

Why Join HumanKind:  

HumanKind is a non-profit human services organization that has been serving children and families for more than 120 years. We offer programs and services that instill hope and equip people with the tools to build a strong foundation for life. 

With an emphasis on inclusion, we help individuals and families who face any number of life’s challenges. Our programs cover everything from financial education to foster care, from early childhood resources to services for adults with developmental disabilities.  

HumanKind’s unique workplace culture is what sets us apart and makes us a Best Place to Work. We recognize that this culture exists because of our values. We acknowledge that we are humans on this journey, and none of us have fully arrived, but we are committed to striving and aspiring toward living out our values each day.   

We Value: 

• Actively working for equity and inclusivity, practicing humility and curiosity, taking responsibility, continuously evolving for change. 
• Prioritizing caring for our people, fostering a nurturing environment, celebrating small wins, acknowledging challenges, embracing innovation and adaptability. 
• Nurturing growth in ourselves and others, leveraging strengths, equipping with tools for success, fostering a positive learning environment. 
• Staying mission-focused, serving with empathy, putting egos aside, upholding ethics, communicating openly, providing support, and encouraging feedback.