Associate Teacher (Early Childhood Education)

At Educare of Omaha, Inc., we invest in our staff just as much as we invest in our children. Reimagine your role. Rediscover your passion. Join the Fun. Make a Difference.

⭐ who we are

Educare of Omaha, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has a collaborative partnership between Early Head Start/Head Start, Omaha Public Schools and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. Comprised of the two Educare Omaha Schools (Kellom and Indian Hill) and three Early Learning Centers (Skinner, Gateway and Kennedy), the mission of Educare of Omaha, Inc. is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, family engagement and other services to enrolled children and their families.

⭐ position details

The Associate Teacher works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the supervision of the School Director or MTS (dependent on location) and guidance of the Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher will ensure the education program is developmentally appropriate meeting the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Omaha, Inc., Head Start/Early Head Start, Sixpence, and the Nebraska state licensing guidelines. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher takes responsibility for the management of the classroom.

📍 location

Assigned to one Educare school (Kellom, Indian Hill, Skinner, Gateway, or Kennedy)

🕒 schedule

Full Time (40 hours per week, Monday-Friday); 12 Months. There is a variation of schedules available with the hours falling between 7:00am-5:30pm.

⭐duties and responsibilities

• Child Development
• Observe, assess, and document each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development in appropriate database systems.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• As assigned, develop an individualized lesson plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.
• As assigned, coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Lead Teacher.
• Assist the child and family as child transitions from the infant and toddler program to the preschool program and from the preschool program to kindergarten.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom.

• Classroom Management
• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage child’s independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are always under appropriate supervision and guidance.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Support strategies.
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.
• Participate in reflective supervision and classroom coaching.

• Curriculum
• Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
• Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for children and participate in implementing them intentionally.
• Assist in the integration of other areas, i.e., health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, and parent involvement, into the education plan.
• Assist in, or take responsibility for as assigned, the creation of documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

• Parent Engagement
• Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
• Communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress.
• As assigned, participate in home visits with each child’s family to clarify child and family needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
• Develop effective partnerships with parents by encouraging input into all aspects of the educational program.

• ⭐ education/Qualifications
• A minimum of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development;

• OR
• Associate’s Degree in a related field 1. A CDA (Child Development Associate) Certification will be required to be attained.
• A minimum of six months’ experience teaching in an early childhood program preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

⭐ what’s in it for you?

✔️ Generous Paid Time Off

• Up to 96 hours vacation and 96 hours sick time in your first year
• 10 paid holidays, including your birthday
• 2-week paid Winter Break
• 1-week paid Spring Break
• Paid inclement weather days

✔️ Competitive Pay & Benefits

• Starting at $18.69+ per hour (based on experience and tenure)
• Medical premiums starting at $40.32 per paycheck
• No copays for mental health therapy
• Dental, vision, FSA, life insurance, short-term disability, and more
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible

✔️ Thrive in Your Career

• Ongoing coaching and professional development
• Tuition assistance available
• No contracts
• Smaller class sizes (8–17 students)
• Additional teacher support in every classroom

Educare of Omaha, Inc. is committed to ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all hiring and employment practices. We are committed to equal treatment for all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer