Teacher, Headstart
3 days ago
Roxbury
Job Description Teacher – Head Start You are a caring, dedicated, and dependable educator who thrives in a collaborative team environment and is committed to excellence in early childhood education. You bring experience working in a school or early learning setting and are confident engaging with young children, families, and colleagues while balancing classroom and administrative responsibilities. The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families, and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve. Our Child and Family Services programs offer high-quality care, education, and support to young children and their families. Summary/Objective: This position provides safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environments, routines, and interactions that promote positive outcomes for children and families enrolled in Head Start. The Teacher plans and implements individualized, developmentally appropriate curriculum informed by child observation and assessment data, family input, and program goals, in alignment with Child & Family Division curriculum guidelines. The Teacher ensures children’s safety and well-being at all times by adhering to all program policies and to all federal, state, and local standards and best practices. Essential Functions * Creates and maintains a research-based, developmentally appropriate, and nurturing learning environment that supports children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development and engages all learners, including children with diverse learning needs and children for whom English is a second language. * Incorporates the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children into daily routines, interactions, and learning experiences. * Interacts respectfully and professionally with children, families, and colleagues using strength-based, trauma-informed, and relationship-based practices. * Develops and implements weekly lesson plans, in collaboration with a co-teacher or assistant teacher, that include clear, developmentally appropriate learning objectives—both child- and teacher-led—aligned with the program curriculum, MA Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. * Conducts screenings and regular observations of children in assigned classrooms to complete developmental assessments, individualize instruction, monitor progress toward learning goals, and initiate referrals for services as needed. * In partnership with colleagues, including co-teachers or assistant teachers, uses data such as child assessments, classroom observation tools, and program surveys to identify strengths and guide continuous improvement of teaching practices. * Practices positive discipline techniques, in compliance with all state licensing regulations and program policies, to promote positive behavior and prevent or reduce challenging behavior. * Ensures children’s safety at all times, including providing active supervision indoors and outdoors and maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment. * Partners with families to support children’s learning by acknowledging all families, practicing anti-bias education, valuing diversity, inviting family input, responding to concerns with respect and sensitivity, sharing strength-based observations of children’s development, and conducting Parent-Teacher conferences and Home Visits in accordance with program schedules. * Communicates regularly with Family Support Specialists (FSS) and content area specialists to coordinate services and respond appropriately to child and family needs. * Actively participates in team meetings, trainings, coaching, reflective practice, and continuing education opportunities to support professional growth and team collaboration. * Supports children and families during transitions to and from classrooms and program settings. * Establishes and maintains cooperative, respectful relationships with colleagues and actively contributes to teaching team responsibilities through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning. * Collaborates with, guides, and supports Teaching Assistants, per-diem staff, and volunteers in all aspects of classroom operations. * Maintains timely and accurate records, including attendance, CACFP meal counts, incident reports, child assessments, and all required documentation. * Works collaboratively with supervisor and the Director of Professional Development and Coaching to develop and implement an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) aligned with short- and long-term professional goals. * Maintains the highest standards of professionalism at all times, including adherence to dress code, NAEYC Code of Ethics, Child & Family Code of Conduct, and 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 * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. * Strong knowledge of early childhood development and family systems. * Proficient computer skills. * Demonstrates accountability for service delivery as part of a collaborative team. * Takes initiative in identifying opportunities to improve services and classroom practices. * Meets deadlines consistently without disrupting program operations. * Uses time, resources, and materials efficiently. * Integrates the organization’s mission, goals, and policies into daily work to foster an inclusive, supportive, and culturally responsive environment. Positively represents The Dimock Center in all interactions with families, visitors, colleagues, and community partners. Work Environment This position is primarily classroom-based and may include both indoor and outdoor environments. The Teacher may be assigned to a single classroom or provide support across multiple classrooms as program needs require. Physical Demands This role may require standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods of time. May require lifting up to 40 pounds, with frequent carrying of up to 25 pounds. Must be able to work comfortably in both indoor and outdoor settings. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work Early Head Start & Head Start programs: Monday – Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Salary The approved range for this role is $21/hr to $36/hr Required Education and Experience * MA Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification required. * For assignment to an Early Head Start classroom, a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, with training or equivalent coursework in infant and toddler development. * For assignment to a Head Start classroom, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education, or a baccalaureate or advanced degree with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children, or meeting waiver requirements under Head Start Act 648A(a)(3)(B). * A minimum of two years of experience working with ethnically, linguistically, and/or economically diverse children and families preferred. * Bilingual skills (English/Spanish, English/Cape Verdean, or Haitian Creole) a plus. Other Duties This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. EEO Statement The Dimock Center values diversity and is 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 applicable law.