2023 Early Head Start Teacher

Overview

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

The Early Head Start Teacher is a year round position responsible for the planning, implementation, and administration of the Early Head Start programming for children ages infant through three, in accordance with the Child Care Minimum Standards, the Head Start performance standards, the Agency’s school readiness goals, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. The Early Head Start Teacher is also responsible for overseeing and providing developmentally appropriate educational, relational, and social experiences for preschool children to foster growth and development in all developmental domains in a safe and caring environment. 

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.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Education

Work Standards 

• 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 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)
• Maintain classroom discipline using developmentally appropriate techniques
• Builds a positive relationship with children which focuses on positive communication, appropriate physical proximity, respect, positive discipline, and guidance.
• Protect all children from corporal punishment or other forms of child maltreatment or verbal abuse as a method of discipline. 
• Maintain cleanliness of classroom

Communication  

• Plan instructional activities, prepare teaching materials and compile/complete related reports as required, such as, but not limited to classroom activities, individual child observations, daily activity charts, and program records for the purpose of documenting child and family activities as prescribed in the work plan
• 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

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

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 needed or requested
• Conduct home visits as outlined in Head Start Performance Standards

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• 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 an 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 an educational setting

Preferred Requirements

• 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.
• 3 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education
• 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

• 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 fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse. 

Upbring is an At-Will Employer and an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.