Head Start Preschool Teacher (30 hr/wk, school year), ($22.33-$25.81/hr)

Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc.; Easthampton (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc. seeks a Teacher to support Head Start classrooms in Easthampton, MA.

The role works with the Lead Teacher to maintain classroom operations aligned with Head Start and state standards and to implement School Readiness goals with families and community partners. Responsibilities include documenting progress, participating in ongoing professional development, and ensuring safety, confidentiality, and teamwork within the program.

Qualifications

• Must at minimum have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Nine months of experience in ECE setting.
• DEEC Teacher certification (for appropriate age group of assigned classroom).

Responsibilities

• Maintain overall classroom operations in cooperation with the Lead Teacher and in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and state regulations.
• Work with parents and community members to implement School Readiness goals.
• Attend program workshops and meetings and ensure confidentiality and positive in-house relations.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Nine months of experience in ECE setting

DEEC Teacher certification (for appropriate age group)

Job description

Position: Teacher

Hours: As Assigned

Location: As Assigned

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Lead Teacher

Job Summary

In cooperation with Lead Teacher, maintain overall classroom operations in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, Department of Early Education and Care Regulations, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and MA Department of Education Frameworks. Work with parents and community members to implement School Readiness goals

Essential Requirements and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to quality early care and education with sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse families with lower incomes.
• Complete and maintain EEC Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) and Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).
• Produce documentation of physical exam, MMR’s and TB risk upon hire and subsequently every two years. Obtain and maintain CPR and Emergency Pediatric First Aid certification according to EEC regulations.
• Maintain and practice current knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards, EEC Regulations, HS & ELP Service Delivery, and NAEYC criterion, as appropriate.
• Ensure the appropriate supervision of children, including implementation of protocols for the care of young children.
• Ensure healthy and safe environments for young children.
• Ensure completion of weekly curriculum, child anecdotal records, child assessments, home visits and family conferences.
• Engage with families in creating school readiness goals for children.
• Work with program and community specialists to implement goals through program’s case management system.
• Fill in for bus monitor as needed, completing daily passenger logs, pre and post trip bus inspections.
• Cover for other classrooms as needed.
• Follow HS & ELP Standard of Conduct.
• Attend all appropriate program workshops and meetings, including site Family Meetings.
• Adhere to agency confidentiality polices.
• Maintain good in-house relationships with all other staff members.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Must at minimum have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field with nine months of experience in ECE setting. Department of Early Education & Care Teacher certified (for appropriate age group of assigned classroom).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, use a keyboard and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Must be able to engage in activities that include bending, floor activities, and lifting young children 2 months to 5 years of age. The noise level in the classroom is lively. The work environment is primarily an indoor classroom environment, with daily exposure to outdoor weather. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed.

This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory a Background Record Check (BRC), required by Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and its licensed programs, which includes Criminal Offender Record information (CORI), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check, Sex Offender Registry information (SORI) checks, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history database checks, National Sex Offender Registry (NCOR), and Out-of-State checks (CORI, SORI, DCF) if an individual has lived in another state within the last five years.

BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is to be completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs and TB. Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted exam every 2 years.