Preschool Lead Teacher Graham

Job Details

Position Type: 40 hours/week (extended year) – Day, M-F, approx 7:30am–5:30pm (in-person, limited remote).

Location:

Sierra Bonita Head Start 1415 Central Ave, Safford, AZ 85548.

Salary: $1,698.40–$1,782.40 bi-weekly. Travel:
In Town. Classification:
Salary, Non-Exempt. Supervisor:
Center Manager. Supervises: 1 Teacher, 1 Co‑Teacher.

Lead teacher responsible for delivering comprehensive, high‑quality early childhood education and child development services, fostering parent‑teacher relationships, leading a classroom team, and supporting families. Works within the agency’s curriculum, implementing responsive teacher‑child interactions, and maintaining a safe and enriching learning environment.

• Paid Leave: 26 holidays, 5 days paid vacation + 10‑13 days yearly thereafter, 8 days personal leave first year, 8‑9 days thereafter, up to 5 days sick leave yearly.
• Insurance:
  Dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, Supplemental Life ($25,000 basic life & Accidental Death and Disability), Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, pet insurance.
• Retirement:
  Agency contribution after years of service & hours eligibility; 401k deferral after eligibility met.

• 18 years of age.
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (e.g., Child and Family Studies, Consumer Studies, Developmental Psychology, etc.) and minimum 18 credits in early childhood education or child development coursework.
• One year documented experience working with preschool‑aged children.
• One year documented supervisory experience.
• Proficiency with Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, One Drive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid Arizona driver’s license with excellent driving record.
• Current Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card (or obtain before first day).
• English literacy.
• Pass company‑paid physical exam.
• Pass DES Centralized Background Check.

• Leadership, Supervision, Coaching, Accountability & Dependability, Safety Focus, Listening, Creative & Innovative Thinking, Building Relationships, Teamwork, Technology, Self‑Management, Adaptability & Flexibility, Development & Continual Learning.

• Proof of immunizations: MMR, Tdap, TB assessment.
• Maintain valid level fingerprint clearance and annual DES Centralized Background Check.
• Proof of right to work in USA (Federal I‑9).
• First Aid/CPR training for infants and children, current certification.
• Food Handler’s Certificate issued by Arizona Department of Health Services.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Four years’ experience in a center‑based classroom.
• Six years’ experience with diverse groups or Head Start populations.

• Indoor classroom – temperature controlled.
• Outdoor playground – exposure to hot/cold.
• Possible exposure to communicable illness, blood‑borne pathogens, cleaning & sanitizing chemicals.

Frequently:

• Ability to see or hear and respond quickly to unsafe situations.
• Stooping, bending, reaching, moving quickly (run, jump, jog).
• Up/down from carpet or 12‑14” chairs.
• Lift children 3‑5years old (19‑50lbs).

Occasionally:

• Picking up, dropping off supplies.
• Push/pull furniture 20‑50lbs.
• Lifting ±50lbs.

Direct Services:

• Implement the Languages of Learning curriculum 3.75, 6.75, 10h/day, four days per week.
• Ensure at least two parent conferences and two home visits each program year.
• Set learning goals & plan experiences using child temperament, interests, culture, language, and learning approaches; collaborate with families and specialists.
• Promote active exploration, creativity, and development across all domains; design indoor & outdoor environments aligned with child development.
• Build children’s pride in cultures, families, communities; ensure classroom resources reflect those cultures.
• Intellectually challenge children by selecting, organizing, and using high‑quality materials; adapt environment to support skill acquisition.
• Use data from home…