Position Title:Early Childhood Teacher
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree. Current State of Iowa teaching license (initial, standard, or master) in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education or Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Education Endorsement (endorsement 100 and/or 103).
Job Description:
The Child Development Laboratory School in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies is seeking an Early Childhood Teacher. This position plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences for children and families enrolled in the Child Development Lab School. The Early Childhood Teacher fosters a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment, monitors and documents children’s developmental progress, communicates regularly with families, and works with the head teacher and other program staff to support high-quality early childhood education. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and across Iowa State University to support research, teaching, student learning, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
The Child Development Laboratory School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), licensed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and maintains a 5-Star rating through Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K). The program also serves as a teaching and learning laboratory for students in the Early Childhood Education Program.
Example of Duties
+ Teacher plans and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum focusing on meeting the needs of individual children and group needs of the children in the classroom.
+ Maintains SWVPP rules, regulations, and shares assessment reports/processes to the Ames Community Preschool Principal for State compliance for 4-year-old children.
+ Collaborates with the head teacher to supervise the classroom.
+ May assist head teacher in supervision and assessment of practicum students.
+ Serves as a role model for best practice in the classroom.
+ Observe, document, and communicate children’s behavioral and developmental needs while collaborating with families and colleagues.
+ Maintains a safe classroom through adherence to HHS, NAEYC, IQ4K, CACFP, Caring for Our Children, and other safety standards recognized by the field of early childhood.
+ Maintains adherence to state “teacher to child” ratios for their age group.
+ Engages with parents’ daily, initiating written and/or face-to-face communication taking into consideration the communication needs of those with varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
+ Conducts parent-teacher conferences each semester.
+ Participates in parent orientation.
+ Helps plan and attend family events.
+ Assists in partnerships with departments on campus to encourage non HDFS student use of the Lab School.
Preferred Qualifications:
+ Experience working with children from birth through age five in a group early childhood setting.
+ Experience supporting children with special needs.
+ Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood development.
+ Experience planning, implementing, and assessing developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences.
+ Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with children, families, and colleagues.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
+ Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
+ Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
+ Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
+ Life insurance and long-term disability
+ Flexible Spending Accounts
+ Various voluntary benefits and discounts
+ Employee Assistance Program
+ Wellbeing program
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS805
Original Posting Date: July 7, 2026
Posting Close Date:July 26, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R19558
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
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By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
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All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.