Department Summary:

The Mission of Head Start and Early Head Start is a noble one: "Better preparing young children and their families for now and in the future." Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to age 5, in classroom settings, home-based programs, and child care partner locations.

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for leading ages 2-3 and a teacher associate in daily classroom activities. The lead teacher is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating early childhood, developmentally appropriate curriculum and practice.

Minimum Qualifications:

- B.S. or B.A. in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with Early Childhood endorsement, or Early Childhood Special Education.

- One year of experience in an early childhood environment.

- Ability to pass all state childcare licensing requirements.

- Ability to be insured by University's insurance carrier.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Current teaching license with special education endorsement.

- Head Start/Early Head Start experience.

- Current driver's license.

Job Duties:

• 25% - Maintain children's files, check off forms at admission, file them and check annually for licensing. Document and monitor children's progress to evaluate appropriateness of curriculum to meet children's developmental needs. Create and maintain accurate, confidential reports and records within applicable regulations and performance standards. 
• 25% - Conduct instruction by following lesson plan while adapting plan to meet individual learning styles. Create a developmentally appropriate environment where children are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment and problem solve. Support children's social-emotional development. Promote successful classroom performance for each student.
• 15% - Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality. Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers, and visitors in order to respond to children's environmental needs. Ensure the coordination of health issues of child and family with designated nurse.
• 15% - Partner with Teacher Associate in the development and implementation of the curriculum and in maintaining a safe, orderly and quality work environment. Ensure an organized, clean classroom and present interesting ideas and activities to share with children.
• 10% - Partner with Teacher Associate to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations of the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Participate in mealtime activities by assisting with serving food, eating with the children, and cleaning up after meals.
• 10% - Conduct initial and ongoing family home visits and socializations (if applicable).Travel for business purposes within service area. 

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits