Head Start Teacher Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

JOB TITLE:

Teacher - Minimum AA required

STATUS:

Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:

Center Director

Bi-Weekly RATE:

AA - $994.06-$1054.31 Bi-weekly

BS - $1494.14 to $1584.70 Bi-weekly

BUDGETED DAYS:

165-175

​

(Pay dependent upon education)

JOB POSTING CLOSES 08/25/2026

Position Summary:

The Teacher provides high-quality responsive early education and child development services to all children that promote school readiness, cognitive, social, and emotional growth for success in school. The Teacher works in collaboration with the partnering Teacher or Teacher Assistant, Classroom Partners, Special Needs Aides and Volunteers in the classroom. The Teacher is responsible for performance expectations, child outcomes, compliance and adherence to policies that create a safe and active learning environment for all children in their care. The Teacher should build a nurturing relationship with each child and a mutually beneficial relationship with the parent or guardian of each child. The Teacher is responsible for working cooperatively with Family Engagement Specialists, family members or guardians, Classroom Coaches and other specialists who may be in a role to support child outcomes. The Teacher must act as a professional representative of the agency in the classroom and within the community.

Deliver high-quality early education and child development results by implementing and adhering to the following:

• Collaboration with the partnering Teacher or Teacher Assistant
• Demonstrate the ability to work with Center Director and Early Learning Coach on professional development and growth
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
• Daycare Licensing Minimum Standards
• Agency Policies and Procedures and HR Policies
• Creative Curriculum
• Alabama Early Learning Guidelines
• Alabama Standards for Early Learning and Development
• Identify individual child strengths and areas of needed growth through data collection and analysis.
• Utilize Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD to complete weekly lesson plans and individual child plans.
• Regularly and professionally communicate with parents to ensure they are kept informed about their child’s routines, activities and behavior.
• Engages in the Practice Based Coaching Model
• Assess Teaching Practices by identifying strengths and areas of needed growth
• Plan appropriate activities that support the growth and progression of children with IEPs and their families. Including working with the LEA or provider to extend the activities.

• Must review and verify all required documentation prior to submission.
• Monitor and assure all required documentation is entered correctly into data system.
• Other duties as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position or related duties.

* Reports directly to the Center Director. Works closely with the partnering Teacher, or Teacher Assistant, Family Engagement Staff, Children’s Services support staff, children and families.

• Quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed.
• Implement high quality Teaching Practices that promote children’s individual development and learning (ongoing)
• Shows overall growth in the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) (ongoing)
• Complete and review required checklists (Monthly)
• Pull and review ChildPlus reports (Monthly)
• Shows overall growth in Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) scores by working towards meeting program goal (2x/year)
• Review all classroom paperwork for accuracy prior to submission or uploading into data system (ongoing)
• Complete Creative Curriculum Fidelity Teacher Checklist (annually)
• Individualize with children based on their needs and interests. (ongoing)
• Assess children’s development and learning (3x/year)
• Complete classroom level School Readiness Data Analysis (3x/year)
• Engage in Practice Based Coaching. (ongoing)
• Accountable for time in time keeping system (daily)
• Parent Conferences (2 per year, per child)
• Home Visits (2 per year, per child) *Initial Home Visits completed prior to child’s attendance.
• Work with Family Engagement Specialist to build relationships with families. (ongoing)
• Follow program Policies and Procedures. (ongoing)
• Responsible for securing a Classroom Partner if out of work for any reason. (ongoing)

• Use of effective and appropriate Teaching Practices.
• Focus on promoting growth and developmental progressions in children.
• Integrate and analyze child assessment data for planning.
• Integrate developmentally appropriate learning experiences in all developmental areas.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in written form with accuracy and acuity.
• Conduct screens and assessments.
• Ability to focus on the individuals needs of each child while maintaining order in the classroom.
• Must understand and be sensitive to the challenges of income eligible families and the consequences that families and children face in low-income communities.
• Must understand the challenges for families where English is not the primary language used in the home.

Credentials/Experience

Must have a minimum of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field with 9 hours of concentrated coursework and experience working in a pre-school environment. Teachers are expected to be continuous learners and willing to advance in their professional development path.

Other Characteristics:

• Obtain and maintain a current age appropriate CPR/First Aid Certification.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance and safe driving record.
• Proficient user of digital technology.
• Must pass an ABI/FBI Background check every five years and a drug test at employment and randomly.

Results are primarily delivered in a classroom setting conducive to the activities of young children. The Teacher will be required to actively engage children in play, requiring sitting, standing, bending, and minimal lifting of at least 50 pounds. The Teacher is expected to actively engage children in outdoors activities. The Teacher may encounter children with challenging behaviors and consistently utilize appropriate strategies to redirect in addition to working with parents/guardians. The Teacher is required to make two home visits per child each school year. The Teacher will develop supportive and professional relationships with parents and families that encourage mutual trust and respect through communication that creates a welcoming environment supportive of unique cultures, ethnicity and economic backgrounds of the families.

All full time employees of the Partnership are provided a very generous and exceptional benefits package which includes full medical coverage managed by PEEHIP (BC/BS Plan). The agency contributes over 10% monthly to the Retirement System of Alabama on behalf of each employee.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the Center Director (CD). All requirements are subject to change over time and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.