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What is a head start teacher and how to become one
A head start teacher works with young children, typically between the ages of three and five, to provide them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in school. These teachers work in Head Start programs, which are federally funded initiatives to support children from low-income families. Head start teachers create lesson plans, lead classroom activities, and provide individualized attention to students. They also work with parents to ensure children receive the support they need.
What general advice would you give to a Head Start Teacher?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Avg. Salary $33,865
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 15%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.91%
Asian 5.86%
Black or African American 8.76%
Hispanic or Latino 18.99%
Unknown 4.59%
White 60.90%
Genderfemale 92.06%
male 7.94%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a Head Start Teacher?
Pros
Opportunities for creativity and innovation in lesson planning
Competitive salary and benefits package
Opportunities for career growth and professional development
Opportunity to work with diverse populations
Regular schedule with weekends and holidays off
Cons
Low pay compared to other teaching positions
High levels of bureaucracy and paperwork
Burnout due to long hours, high workload, and low pay
Limited resources and funding for program improvements
Difficulty finding work-life balance due to after-school meetings and events
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Head Start Teacher career paths
Key steps to become a head start teacher
Explore head start teacher education requirements
Start to develop specific head start teacher skills
Skills 
Percentages Kids 46.29% Math 34.50% CPR 1.99% Child Development 1.52% Classroom Environment 1.47% Complete relevant head start teacher training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New head start teachers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a head start teacher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real head start teacher resumes.Gain additional head start teacher certifications
More About CertificationsHead start teacher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific head start teacher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for head start teachers include Child Development Associate (CDA) and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Research head start teacher duties and responsibilities
- Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
- Participate in the IEP, IFSP, and/or IIIP process for serving children with special needs and implementation of appropriate planning.
- Hold CPR and basic emergency first aid certification.
- Obtain trainings as needed to keep CDA current.
Prepare your head start teacher resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your head start teacher resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a head start teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Head Start Teacher Resume templates
Build a professional Head Start Teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Head Start Teacher resume.
Apply for head start teacher jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a head start teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Head Start Teacher Job
Are you a Head Start Teacher?
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Average head start teacher salary
The average Head Start Teacher salary in the United States is $33,865 per year or $16 per hour. Head start teacher salaries range between $23,000 and $49,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do head start teachers rate their job?
Head Start Teacher reviews
Days off
No support from administration, supervisor, no union representative in house at schools to support job issues and concerns .
Seeing the kids learn, grow, over come challenges.
It can be emotionally and physically draining, especially if not appreciated.
Gaining the childs trust and watching them geow and learn.
That in a year the children you fall in love with move on to the next grade.
Updated January 8, 2025
