$4,000 Sign-on Incentive- Infant Toddler Lead Teacher (Bachelor's required)

TULSA EDUCARE INC•Tulsa, OK

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infant Toddler Lead Teacher is responsible for the overall operation of an assigned classroom in accordance with Federal Head Start Performance Standards and other applicable classroom standards. The role oversees assigned Teacher Assistants and/or Associate Teachers and involves them in planning and carrying out daily classroom activities. The teacher creates a safe, stimulating, stable, and nurturing environment that supports children’s development and school readiness, while partnering with families and colleagues. The position requires reliable attendance and may involve local travel and occasional overnight or out-of-area travel for meetings or workshops. A $4,000 sign-on bonus is offered to bachelor’s-degree-qualified Infant-Toddler Lead Teachers hired between August 1 and November 30, 2026.

Requirements

Meet at least one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: a master’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Early Childhood Special Education; a bachelor’s degree or higher in another discipline with at least 36 college credits in one of those fields; a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, or Human Development and Family Studies, at least one year of experience teaching children, and 12 college hours in one of the specified early-childhood fields; or a Child Development Associate (CDA).
Alternatively, meet a required-degree pathway: an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Early Childhood Special Education plus 18 months’ experience as an Associate Teacher at Tulsa Educare; or an associate degree in any discipline with at least 30 college credit hours in one of those fields plus 18 months’ experience as an Associate Teacher at Tulsa Educare.
For Lead Teacher IV (State Certified), meet one of the preferred degree requirements and hold a valid Oklahoma State Teaching Certification for children birth to eight.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal and relationship skills, including working with diverse audiences and maintaining satisfactory working relationships.
Follow oral and written instructions and read, interpret, and present information effectively.
Accurately audit records and ensure compliance with written or oral guidelines.
Show initiative, multitask, work under pressure, and balance and prioritize multiple projects through completion.
Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive data, records, files, and conversations.
Have solid computer skills, including MS Office.
Be self-motivated, dependable, adaptable, creative, and committed to outstanding customer service, effective communication, and teamwork.
Be qualified and not prohibited from working around children and legally authorized to work in the United States.
Be able to perform the role’s physical tasks, including lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Be driven to follow Tulsa Educare’s Shared Values: Kindness, Reciprocity, Positive Problem Solving, Inclusiveness, Data-driven Decision Making, and Courage.

Responsibilities

Track each child’s ongoing developmental skills across learning domains using the assessment system, as required by Head Start Performance Standards.
Use positive guidance to support children’s social-emotional development and well-being and to manage the classroom.
Use data from Local Evaluation Partners to improve classroom practices.
Co-create weekly lesson plans using curriculum, observations, parent input, and developmentally appropriate practices, with goals addressing individual children’s developmental needs.
Provide a content-rich learning environment focused on language, emergent literacy, problem-solving, numeracy, social-emotional development, science, and creative expression.
Establish daily schedules, routines, and rituals that promote a safe and stable environment.
Ensure children with potential developmental delays are referred for and receive early intervention services through the referral system.
Ensure daily classroom operations are safe, stimulating, and nurturing for children and adults.
Comply with Head Start Performance Standards, program assessment requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards, DHS licensing requirements, and Educare Learning Network core features.
Complete required documentation, including attendance, meal counts, family contacts, accidental injury reports, Ages and Stages Questionnaires, internal referrals, emergency contacts, infant/toddler daily sheets, file sign-in/out sheets, Child Plus data entry, home visits, and parent conferences.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with peers, families, volunteers, and community partners to support reflection, family engagement, high-quality teaching, and community relations.
Attend required meetings and workshops, which may involve overnight and out-of-area travel.
Use an interdisciplinary approach and reflective practices to build effective teams.
Create systems to ensure classroom responsibilities, data entry, and compliance requirements are completed when absences occur.
Perform other duties as assigned or required.
Oversee the day-to-day work of assigned Teacher Assistants and/or Associate Teachers and involve them in planning and carrying out classroom activities.