118 Best higher education Jobs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (December 2025)

Lead Teacher Early Head Start (0-3 year-olds)-Associates Required-21.50+

27 days ago

Oklahoma City

Job Description:\n\nSummary 21.50/hr**This position is eligible for theSunbeam's Teacher Investment Program POSITION OVERVIEW The Lead Teacher provides daily care to children in a Head Start / Early Head Start (HS/EHS) classroom using appropriate child guidance techniques and building responsive relationships with classroom teachers, staff, children and families. The Lead Teacher ensures that all regulations and mandates for federal, state, and local licensing are met and works with a team of classroom teachers and family members to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence at all times. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPromote, encourage and display examples of leadership for the agency in accordance with the agency mission.Support and individualize the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of each child in the classroom.Demonstrate capacity for providing developmentally sensitive, evidence based, hope centered and trauma informed services and leadership.Serve as a leader of the Early Childhood Services (ECS) program and effective role model for developmentally-appropriate practice, for the values expected within the program, and for the mission of the organization.Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards.Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal and state regulation, and DHS Child Care Licensing requirements.Plan and provide a comprehensive program, including implementation of EHS/HS curriculum and Head Start /Early Head Start Program Performance StandardsMaintain record keeping and reporting systems to ensure accurate information, with timely completion and follow-up.Plan and implement ECS developmentally-appropriate curriculum and assessment for the classroom. Order supplies and materials as needed for effective service delivery.Oversee supervision and management of children in the classroom in order to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment.Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences in accordance with Head Start Program Performance standards to share each child’s progress with parents.Work cooperatively with other staff assigned to classroom as a team to involve all parents with the children and to encourage the active participation of all parents in the program.Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbances, learning disorders, speech problems, or other special needs and reports those signs immediately to supervisor for required or necessary follow-up.Work with supervisor to ensure child-staff ratio is maintained at all times.Encourage and model language expansion, extended learning, and problem-solving strategies throughout the day.Regular, reliable attendance is required.Participate in and attend all staff meetings, trainings, and certification courses as required.Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities.Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or member of Executive Team.QualificationsExperienceThree (3) years’experience inEarly Childhood Education orHead Start/Early Head StartEffective experience in childcare as well as training and supervising teacher assistantsSkills KnowledgeAbilitiesCaring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families.Knowledge and understanding of state and local childcare licensing requirements.Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and writtenIntermediate knowledge of Microsoft applications and the ability to master other software as neededGood organizational and time management skills.Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.Exercise independent judgment.Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for our internal, external, and community members.Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload.Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities.Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job.Local travel required and must have valid Oklahoma driver’s license and insurance as required by the position.Knowledge and understanding of Head Start/Early Head StartKnowledge and understanding of Child PlusKnowledge and understanding of NAEYCAdvanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skillsBilingual Spanish/English speaking – ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes. WORKING CONDITIONSPhysical DemandsWhileperformingthedutiesofthisjob,theemployeeisrequiredtofrequentlycommunicatewithstaff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Theemployee must be able tointeract closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods of time (up to 50% of workday).Occasionallymustbeabletomoveor liftupto50pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern,distinguish,observe,inspectand compare.Work EnvironmentThe employee will work in a classroom environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children.The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic, characteristic to working with children ages 0-5 years.Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothing, and poor hygiene.Employee may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.OtherThe requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.DutiesServe as a leader of the Early Childhood Services program and as an effective role model for developmentally appropriate practice, for the values expected within the program, and for the mission of the organization.Plan and provide a comprehensive program, including implementation of EHS/HS curriculum and Head Start /Early Head Start Performance Standards.Participate in curriculum development and recommend necessary changes.Ensure daily or weekly observations are completed and entered in Teaching Strategies GOLD.Ensure individual child assessments are completed and documented for all children in classroom.Ensure individual child portfolios are up-to-date relative to local, state, and federal requirements.Provide guidance and direction to meet the individual needs of children including children with disabilities or special needs.Work in a team setting with all staff to determine individual needs of children including children with disabilities or special needs.Consult regularly with appropriate service providers, consultants, and staff regarding child development concerns for all children including children with disabilities and special needs.Provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to classroom teachers.Manage classroom operations.Provide supervision, guidance, and coaching to Teacher Assistant(s) and classroom volunteers.Document volunteer activities and parent communication regarding children's functions and activities.Organize the classroom according to developmental levels and individual need of the children, ensuring: (1) the development of trust and emotional security; (2) opportunities to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences; (3) opportunities for the development of self-awareness, autonomy, and self-expression; and (4) opportunities for gross and fine motor development.Ensure classrooms are homelike, safe, sanitary, and free of clutter.Provide for diaper changing and toilet training functions in the classroom in a safe, sanitary, and developmentally appropriate manner.Observe children and record observations in anecdotal records, making appropriate referrals.Conduct developmental screenings, as assigned.Promote the development of secure relationships with children assigned by assuring primary and continuity of care.Relate to children in a calm, caring, nurturing, soothing manner, responding to all cries, babbles, and verbalizations, using appropriate child guidance techniques at all times.Stay involved with the children at all times during the day.Conduct home visits and parent/teacher conferences with each child's family, according to program schedule, policies and procedures.Complete IFSPs as required.Maintain updated individual and group checklists according to program policies and procedures.Greet parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a smooth transition into the classroom, a positive home-classroom connection and a family partnership.Maintain ongoing professional and appropriate communication with parents.Provide activities parents can do at home with their children to support the curriculum and the child's learning.Encourage parents to become involved in workshops, training and participating in IEP and IFSP meetings as regular support.Maintain and monitor the maintenance of accurate attendance records, USDA food records/reports, in-kind reports, and other reports as required.Feed infants according to their home schedule, hold them every time they are fed, and shares information about their eating with their parents daily.Assist with family-style dining with and implement family style dining according to program policy and procedures and EHS/HS Performance Standards.Plan and participate in monthly classroom Parent Meetings with Family Advocate and parents.Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.Perform all duties in a timely and professional manner.Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.Continue professional growth by participating in ongoing education, training programs, workshops and conferences in an effort to provide individualized care and education to serve all children including children with disabilities and special needs.Ensure policy and procedures are properly applied and interpreted by Assistant Teachers.Develop and monitor individual staff training plans.Assess training needs and participate in planning in-service training.Perform required and other assigned duties in a manner that demonstrates compliance with Sunbeam's Culturally Competent Practice Policy as well as other agency policy and procedure and those of grants/contracts so that work of the agency is systematized and effective.Supervise and evaluate Assistant Teachers according to Sunbeam policies and procedures.Assistant Teachers and Classroom VolunteersRequirementsEducation Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD),or Early Childhood Special Education (EC SE) (transcripts required)- OR -Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field with at least 36 college credit hours in ECE, CD, or EC SE (transcripts required)- OR -Bachelor’s OR Master’s degree in elementary education, family studies, human development, nursing, psychology, social work, nursing, or psychology (transcripts required)AND12 hours in ECE, CD, EC SE or current certification asCDA®(Center-Based Preschool)ANDone (1) year experience teaching childrenCERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONSTeachers leading classrooms for 4-year-olds must have OTC.Pre-Kindergarten teachers preferred to have Pre-Kindergarten Certification from the Oklahoma State Board of Education at time of employment.ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTSClearance of background checkDrug screenTB screen required.Physical exam required.Bilingual in Spanish desiredSkills Abilities:Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families.Knowledge and understanding of state and local childcare licensing requirements.Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft applications and the ability to master other software as needed Good organizational and time management skills.Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.Exercise independent judgment. Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for our internal, external, and community members.Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials. Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload.Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities.Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job. Local travel required and must have valid Oklahoma driver's license and insurance as required by the position.Knowledge and understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus preferred.Knowledge and understanding of NAEYC preferred.Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills preferred.Bilingual in Spanish and able to interact with children and families from multilingual homes preferred.Physical Demands:Whileperformingthedutiesofthisjob,theemployeeisrequiredtofrequentlycommunicatewithstaff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Theemployee must be able tointeract closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Must be able t

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