Lead Teacher, Head Start
3 days ago
Roxbury
Job Description JOB DESCRIPTION Summary/Objective: The Lead Teacher provides instructional leadership within the classroom while maintaining a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment that promotes positive outcomes for children and families. In addition to fulfilling all core classroom teacher responsibilities, the Lead Teacher serves as a model of best practice, mentor, and resource to Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Educator Trainees, per-diem staff, and volunteers. While this position is not supervisory, the Lead Teacher actively supports the supervisor by mentoring and guiding teaching staff, promoting reflective practice, supporting regulatory and program compliance, and contributing to continuous quality improvement at the classroom and program level. They ensure the safety and supervision of children at all times by adhering to all program policies and in accordance with all Federal, State, and local requirements. Essential Functions • In partnership with classroom staff, provides leadership and support in the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a research-based, developmentally-appropriate, and nurturing learning environment that fosters children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development and effectively engages all learners, including children with disabilities/diverse learning needs and multilingual learners., • Assists the supervisor in maintaining licensing, Head Start, and NAEYC compliance at the classroom level by:, • Monitoring classroom practices, • Supporting documentation accuracy, • Identifying concerns proactively, • Communicating needs and trends to leadership, • Models and embeds The Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence across daily routines, interactions, classroom management strategies, and learning experiences, supporting consistent implementation by classroom staff., • Interacts respectfully with children, families, and colleagues using strength-based, trauma-informed, and relationship-based practices., • Develops and implements weekly lesson plans, in collaboration with co-teacher or assistant teacher, that include specific developmentally appropriate learning objectives – both child and teacher-led - aligned with the program’s established curriculum, MA Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework., • Conducts screenings and regular observations of children in assigned classes for the purposes of completing developmental assessments, individualizing instruction, assessing and reporting on children’s progress toward learning objectives, and providing timely referrals for services as needed., • In partnership with colleagues, including co-teacher or assistant teacher, utilizes data such as child assessments, classroom observation rating scales, and program surveys/assessments, to identify strengths and to guide ongoing development of effective practices., • In compliance with all State licensing regulations and program policies, models implementation of positive discipline techniques with children to promote positive behavior and prevent or reduce the likelihood of challenging behavior., • Collaborates with education leadership, specialists, and educators to ensure timely referrals, follow-up, and implementation of individualized supports and IFSP/IEP accommodations, • Ensures children’s safety by maintaining a clean, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment, implementing active supervision indoors and outdoors, and supporting staff in maintaining consistent safety practices that meet federal and state health, safety, and licensing standards., • Partners with families to support children’s learning. Expected practices include: acknowledging all families, practicing anti-bias education principles, valuing diversity, inviting input, responding to concerns with sensitivity and respect, sharing strength-based observations of child’s skills, interests, and abilities, and conducting Parent-Teacher conferences and Home Visits in accordance with program’s assigned schedule of frequency., • Communicates regularly with Family Support Specialists (FSS) and content area specialists to coordinate efforts to respond appropriately to child and family needs., • Actively participates in team meetings, training, coaching, reflective practice, continuing education, and other educational activities to promote team building and professional development., • Supports children and families during transitions to and from classrooms., • Establishes and maintains a relationship of cooperation and respect with colleagues. Participates actively in teaching team responsibilities through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning., • Collaborates with, guides, and supports Teachers, Teaching Assistants, per-diems, and volunteers in all aspects of classroom functioning., • Keeps timely, accurate records – including attendance, CACFP meal counts, incident reports, child observations/assessments, and all required documentation., • Works collaboratively with supervisor and Director of Professional Development and Coaching to develop and follow an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to guide short and long-term training, educational, and coaching goals and plans., • Maintains the highest degree of professionalism at all times, including, but not limited to: adherence to dress code, to NAEYC Code of Ethics, to Child & Family code of conduct, and to consistency of care through regular attendance and punctuality., • As a mandated reporter, recognizes and reports suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities as required by law., • Maintains confidentiality at all times., • Other duties as assigned. Competencies • Strong instructional leadership and mentoring skills, • Advanced knowledge of early childhood development, curriculum, and assessment., • Ability to analyze and apply data to improve teaching and learning., • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written & verbal)., • Demonstrated ability to support adult learners and promote reflective practice., • Knowledge of Early Childhood Development and Family Systems., • Proficient computer skills., • Effective time management, organization, and attention to detail., • Takes responsibility for delivery of services as part of team effort in unit/department., • Takes initiative in making suggestions for improvement of services., • Meets deadlines without causing undue disruption., • Utilizes human resources, time, and supplies efficiently. Work Environment This position is primarily classroom-based which may involve both indoor and outdoor environments. This position may be assigned primarily to one classroom location or may be assigned to support multiple classrooms. Physical Demands Duties may require standing and walking or sitting for extended periods of time. May require lifting up to 40 lbs., with frequent carrying of up to 25 lbs. Must be able to work in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work Early Head Start & Head Start programs: Monday – Friday 8:15am – 3:45pm. Foundations for Learning program: Monday – Friday; various shifts as scheduled between 7:30am - 5:30pm. Required Education and Experience • MA Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification required., • To be eligible for assignment to an Early Head Start classroom must have a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development., • To be eligible for assignment to a Head Start Classroom, must have at least an associate's or bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education, or a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children or otherwise meet waiver requirements of Head Start Act 648A(a)(3)(B)., • A minimum of three years of experience working with ethnically, linguistically, and/or economically diverse children and families, preferable in case management capacity populations preferred., • Bilingual skills: English/Spanish, English/Cape Verdean, or Haitian Creole a plus. Pay The approved range for this role is $33-$34/hr. Other Duties Note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of duties that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. EEO Statement The Dimock Center values diversity and it’s committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
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