EARLY HEAD START TEACHER

EMPOWERING COMMUNTIES TO THRIVE

Job Title: Early Head Start Teacher
Department: Child Development Services (CDS)
Reports to: Director of Early Childhood Education
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Revision Date: September 2025

Who is Good Samaritan?

Good Samaritan Community Services is a 501(c) 3 organization that serves communities underserved by traditional social supports. We provide a continuum of integrated services to more than 3,500 individuals from the age of 6 weeks to 90 years of age. This includes more than 1,200 families via offices and locations in San Antonio, Brownsville, and other parts of South and West Texas.

Good Samaritan began as mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1939 and became an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in 1951 under the leadership of Bishop Everett Jones. Since the inception of our ministry, we have focused on serving the health, education, social and workforce needs of our neighbors.

Our mission is to "actively serve as a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic poverty. We do this through a continuum of services designed to stabilize families, establish nurturing relationships, and foster self-sufficiency in those we serve through the programs and support we provide via our Family Services and Youth and Teen Departments.

Position Summary
The Early Head Start Teacher is responsible for the provision of direct care, education, health, and safety of infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start, for promoting the learning of language, communication, social-emotional, and cognitive and creative development of children in the program, and for completing ad-hoc activities and tasks needed to support the day-to-day delivery of child development services. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, activities related to classroom quality and compliance with assessments.

Required Education and Experience

• Child Development Associate Certification (CDA) in Infants and Toddlers or 18 hours of Early Childhood courses required.
• Two years of experience working in a childcare setting or daycare center required.
• Current and valid driver’s license preferred.
• CPR certification is preferred or the ability to obtain prior to start date.
• Knowledge of word processing software and email required.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred, according to business needs and requirements.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Demonstrate adherence to the CORE values of Good Samaritan Community Services.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lessons and activities that promote social- emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development for assigned children.
• Supervise and actively participate in all classroom and outdoor activities through interaction that is warm, positive, and respectful while maintaining order and positive guidance.
• Maintain visual and auditory supervision of the children at all times to ensure their safety in the classroom, on the playground and grounds, and on field trips.
• Collaborate with other teachers to develop and post detailed, monthly lesson plans and daily activities for each classroom.
• Participate in monthly team meetings and updates program management on assessment status and other issues as needed.
• Observe, assess, and document each individual child's growth and development in accordance with program policies and assessment procedures.
• Schedule, hold, and document parent/teacher conferences at least twice a year (more frequently if needed) to discuss child progress.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents by using informal day-to-day conversations, phone calls, and parent notes.
• Submit required reports and paperwork (meal counts, accident/incident/illness reports, sanitation checklists, medication logs, health checks, etc.) accurately, on time, and as required by CDS or agency procedures.
• Maintain a clean, healthy, safe, and orderly indoor and outdoor environment by performing housekeeping, laundry or other tasks as may be required by the situation and by following agency and program policies and procedures for health and safety related issues.
• Appropriately set up indoor and outdoor classroom environments for each planned activity (lessons, lunch, naps, games, etc.) and assure the best environment, e.g., a quiet and peaceful napping atmosphere and family style meals for the children, by performing necessary tasks (cleaning tables, mats, toys, playgrounds, etc.).
• Assure that classrooms have the necessary supplies, materials and equipment for efficient program operations, and communicates needs to the Director in a timely manner.
• Be attentive to the physical environment for safety, maintenance or security hazards and communicate these to the program management staff.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, visitors, volunteers, and the public.
• Participate and document at least 24 hours of training in child development and related
  childcare topics each year in accordance with TDFPS Minimum Standards.
• Receive and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR for children.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings required by program management.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood Education.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Manages interns, volunteers, and work study students as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
This job operates in a professional and educational office environment. Must be able to lift/move between 25 – 35 pounds occasionally. Requires standing, walking, kneeling, hearing, typing, and good hand-eye coordination. These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel and Hours
Local and occasional out-of-town travel may be required. This is a full-time position. Day and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet the responsibilities of the position.

Benefits and Compensation
Salary range is $18.00/hour. A competitive compensation package will be offered for this position based upon the successful candidate’s education, skills, and experience.