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• 997883 Drake Head Start Staff, full-time (32+ hours per week) Add to favorites View favorites

Title:

Teacher Associate (Highland Park-10 Months)

• 997883

Position Number:

997883

Unit/Department:

Drake Head Start Salary:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Department Summary:

The Mission of Head Start and Early Head Start is a noble one: "Better preparing young children and their families for now and in the future." Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to Age 5, in classroom settings, home-based programs, and child care partner locations.

Job Summary:

Drake University Head Start is seeking energetic candidates to join our team of classroom staff and carry out the Head Start/Early Head Start Mission to "better prepare young children and their families for life experiences now and in the future." This is a full-time, 10-month, benefits-eligible position supporting our lead teachers and children in daily classroom activities. Drake University offers amazing benefits that include tuition waiver and tuition exchange for employees, their partners, and dependents interested in pursuing a degree. This position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum and practice for preschool-aged children in our Highland Park classroom. The role consists of light cooking, working directly with children, and occasional home visits.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School diploma Ability to obtain Preschool CDA (Child Development Associate) certification within two years of hire, paid for by Drake University Head Start. Access to reliable transportation to get to and from your work site daily and ability to be insured by the University's insurance carrier.

Preferred Qualifications:

Head Start Experience.

Current Iowa Driver's License Job Duties:

45%

• Support Lead Teacher Instruction & Child development and behavior.

Follow lesson plans while adapting plans to meet individual learning styles. Promote successful classroom performance for each student. Create a developmentally appropriate environment based on interests and individual needs of children where they are comfortable enough to verbalize feelings, question, explore, experiment, and problem solve. Share interesting ideas and activities with Lead Teacher to share with children. Encourage the child to develop a positive self-concept and support that self-concept with proper guidance and discipline techniques. Develop and maintain good communication while respecting confidentiality. Establish rapport and trust with parents, staff, volunteers, and visitors to respond to children's environmental needs. Supervise children in non-classroom settings such as indoor large motor activities, playground, outings away from the classroom and arrival and dismissal with families, etc.

• (Essential) 35%
• Health, Nutrition, and Safety Prepare breakfast, lunch, snack, beverages, and any required recipes by following proper and safe food preparation and sanitation methods.

With training and assistance of the Head Start nurse, follow written health/emergency care plans, and give medications as directed. Give basic first aid to any child or staff in need. Ensure that all health and safety procedures are followed in all classroom and outdoor activities. Help children during their daily bathroom routine by offering direction and support when needed, including toileting. Participate in snack/meal activities by assisting staff with serving food, eating with children, and cleaning up after meals.

• (Essential) 10%
• Documentation, Records, & Compliance Assist staff with documentation and observation of children while ensuring confidentiality of all documents maintained in the department.

Assist in creating and maintaining accurate confidential records within applicable regulations and performance standards. Prepare and maintain all necessary paperwork and records according to CACFP guidelines. Pick and review orders of all shopping lists provided. May order food and related items.

• (Essential) 5%
• Professional Development and Role Expectations Maintain an organized classroom, cleaning up after each activity and assisting staff with the special needs of the entire center. Continue professional growth by attending classes and workshops, reading new materials, and contributing resource ideas to the program. Travel for business purposes within Head Start service area.
• (Essential) 5%
• Federal Head Start Program Performance Standards, state and local regulations, rules, and requirements compliance.

Maintain strict confidentiality of all records and documents. Maintain department records and reports in a secure manner. Represent Drake University and Drake University Head Start in a professional manner. Treat clients, co-workers, staff, parents and community members with respect and civility, and always ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. React to change productively, maintain prompt and regular attendance, and perform all other duties as assigned. Promote Head Start philosophy and initiatives.

• (Essential) Special Instructions to

Applicants:

For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter. If you have any questions about this job positing or the application process, please email jackie.pafford@drake.edu

Review of Applications Begins:

A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026 . One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant's references, education, and, if applicable, experience.

ABOUT DRAKE

Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees. All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University's core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.

STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

At Drake University, we don't just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu ) and let us know how we can assist you. Apply Now Sign up for Job Alerts! Job Alert d314f359 Finalize your job alert by selecting criteria from the dropdowns below. You can select multiple options from each dropdown by returning to the combobox and re-entering the list of options. Submit at the end to create your job alert. Departments Drake Head Start Drake Head Start First Name (required) 00854613 Last Name (required) fcd25cc4 Email (required) 68132318 Send Please wait... Done Not You? Thank you Share this job with a friend! First Name (required) 2a9691aa Last Name (required) 56017a18 Email (required) a96a9372 Please enter the information of the person you would like to share this job with 6e90fd0f Share now Please wait... Done Not You? Thank you

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