Head Start Teacher

Help young children build a strong foundation for learning, growth, and success.

Do you believe that the early years can shape a child’s future? Are you passionate about creating a classroom where young children feel safe, valued, curious, and excited to learn?

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is seeking a Head Start Teacher to provide a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages 3–5. In this role, you will build meaningful relationships with children and families while creating experiences that support social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference every day by helping children develop the confidence, skills, and early learning experiences they need to thrive in school and beyond.

What You'll Do

As a Head Start Teacher, you will:

• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive classroom where every child can learn and grow.
• Build strong, caring relationships with children and families.
• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support the whole child.
• Use observation and assessment to understand children’s individual strengths, interests, needs, and progress.
• Adapt instruction and classroom experiences to meet the needs of individual learners.
• Support children’s social-emotional development, communication skills, independence, and early academic skills.
• Establish a positive classroom environment that encourages curiosity, exploration, problem-solving, and a love of learning.
• Partner with families and colleagues to support children’s development and school readiness.
• Connect families with resources and services that support their children’s success and overall well-being.
• Maintain required documentation and ensure classroom practices align with Head Start Performance Standards, state regulations, and program expectations.
• Collaborate with other professionals to provide coordinated support for children and families.

Why This Work Matters

For young children, a great teacher can make a lasting difference.

As a Head Start Teacher, you will help children develop the skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn, form positive relationships, express themselves, solve problems, and navigate new experiences. You will also partner with families during an important stage of their child’s development.

Your classroom can be the place where a child discovers, “I can do this.”

What You Bring

We’re looking for an educator who is:

• Warm, responsive, and passionate about working with young children.
• Skilled at creating a positive and engaging early learning environment.
• Able to build strong partnerships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Attentive to individual differences and responsive to children’s developmental needs.
• Organized and able to manage classroom responsibilities, documentation, and program requirements.
• Committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child and family feels welcomed and respected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education, with at least three years of experience in an early childhood setting.
• Prior experience teaching in an early childhood setting is required; experience in Head Start or a similar early childhood program is preferred.

Join the AIU

At the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, you’ll be part of a team committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities and supporting children, families, and communities across Allegheny County.

Bring your passion for early learning. Build relationships. Inspire curiosity. Help children get ready for their next big step.