Early Head Start Teacher in Training - Upbring

Pay Range Starts at $15.00/hour

About Upbring 

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About Our Headstart Centers

Upbring Head Start Preschool provides a safe, inclusive place to learn, grow and thrive. The families receive support and services to complement the child’s education as the kindergarten transition nears.

What You'll Do as an Early Head Start Teacher in Training

Early Head Start Teachers are responsible for planning, implementing, and administering the program year-round, in compliance with the Child Care Minimum Standards, Head Start performance standards, the Agency's school readiness goals, and all other federal, state, and local regulations relating to children ages infant to three. In a safe and caring environment, the Early Head Start Teacher oversees and provides developmentally appropriate educational, relational, and social experiences for preschool children.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family. 

*This position is year-round and scheduled accordingly.

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Education

Work Standards for Early Head Start Teacher

• Actively supervise children during indoor and outdoor activities at all times to ensure their well-being, safety, and security 
• Administer developmental screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluations as outlined in the annual program year, to identify developmental and learning needs and develop individualized learning plans
• Plan and implement classroom activities based on individual learning plans: ensure each child’s development, disabilities, curriculum, and performance standards are adhered to meet the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Builds a positive relationship with children which focuses on positive communication, appropriate physical proximity, respect, positive discipline, and guidance
• Per supervisors schedule, complete course work of Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Protect all children from corporal punishment or other forms of child maltreatment or verbal abuse as a method of discipline
• Follow Upbring policies and practices related to infant/toddler feeding, toileting, and rest time
• Support the individual needs of children who qualify for special education services by participating in the development of an Individual Family Service Plan
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations for immediate resolution
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Ensure and implement CLASS strategies to foster continuous interactions with children
• Assure child-staff ratio is always maintained
• Follow all applicable laws and regulations, including the Licensing Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Upbring policies, and procedures, Child Care Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulations
• Attend all professional development
• Maintain cleanliness of classroom
• Review and reconcile capital assets and equipment inventory for your assigned classroom annually or upon request.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Communication  

• Plan instructional activities, prepare teaching materials, prepare reports, such as classroom observations, individual child observations, daily activity charts, and program records
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians about their child's routines, needs, developmental opportunities, and daily activities (written and/or verbally)
• Maintain up-to-date documentation, files, and records according to Upbring, Head Start Performance Standards, and local, state, and federal regulations
• Immediately report any concerns related to the health and safety of the child to a supervisor

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Address mitigating concerns: inclusive but not limited to classroom management, behavior management, child health and safety, child development, and any other concerns requiring intervention
• Observe and address challenging behaviors to determine cause and implement preventive measures, teach a new behavior, communication, and/or social skill to minimize or eliminate the behavior
• Work closely with assigned Education Coach, other classroom teachers, and the administrative staff to ensure program operations are supporting and meeting program goals and objectives and learning outcomes
• Work as part of the team and show professionalism by modeling and demonstrating a positive attitude and positive working relationships, while maintaining strong ethical boundaries

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Participate in the development of an Individual Family Service Plan for children
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences as required by Head Start Standards
• Conduct home visits as outlined in Head Start Performance Standards
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with other classroom teachers, administrative staff, children, and parents to ensure the children are receiving a quality learning experience Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
• Demonstrate cultural awareness in sensitivity in both interactions with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), other staff, and community members and in the selection of materials and delivery of instruction

Minimum Requirements for an Early Head Start Teacher in Training

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Three months experience working in a childcare setting
• Eligible to register for Child Development Associate( CDA) Infant and Toddlers
• Able to attend training in Early Childhood Development with a focus on infant and toddler development
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement early childhood curriculum
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people
• Ability to build a positive rapport with children, parents/guardians, and team members
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, and interact wit all levels of management in a clear and concise manner
• Strong written and verbal communication, including preparation of quality well written documents
• Ability to prioritize tasks, projects, and meet deadlines
• Strong computer skills, and high proficiency with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel and Outlook)

Preferred Requirements for an Early Head Start Teacher in Training

• CDA in Infant and Toddlers with a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework in Early Child Development or Early Childhood Education AND 1 year of experience in early childhood education or with infants and toddlers in and educational setting, OR
• If current Upbring employee: Preschool CDA with a minimum of 3 credit hours of equivalent coursework in Early Child Development or Early Childhood Education (3 credit hours is equivalent to 45 training hours) and 6 months experience in early childhood education or with infants and toddlers in and educational setting, OR
• Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, or in a different field with a minimum of 15 credit hours in one of these fields of study
• Experience with inclusion of children with disabilities
• Knowledge of infant/toddler health and safety licensing requirements
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) with the ability to fluently converse and write in Spanish (based on student population and service area), highly preferred
• CPR/First Aid Certification

Abilities, Skills, & Knowledge for an Early Head Start Teacher in Training

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement early childhood curriculum
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people
• Ability to build a positive rapport with children, parents/guardians, and team members
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, interact with all levels of management in a clear and concise manner
• Strong computer skills; high proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Strong stress management, time management and organizational skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks and projects and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication, including preparation of quality well written documents, reports, and correspondence
• Ability to work independently and within a team; ability to take initiative with limited supervision
• Strong computer skills; high proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403b 
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services 
• Gym Memberships 
• Donated Leave Program 
• Emergency Assistance Program

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires frequent standing, walking, and speaking for long periods of time
• Position works in a facility with and around children on a regular basis
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging  

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.