Lead Teacher - 37.5 hours per week, full year

Making Opportunity Count Inc; Gardner (MA); On-site; USD 30,982 - 52,748; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

15 Paid Vacation Days

12 Paid Sick Days

13 Paid Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Making Opportunity Count Inc is seeking a Lead Teacher for a full-time role in Gardner, Massachusetts. This position involves planning and implementing programs that aid in children's growth and development.

Ideal candidates will have an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, an EEC Lead Teacher certificate, and the ability to work well with families and staff. A competitive salary ranging from $22.49 to $38.29 per hour is offered along with an extensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Must have a suitable Background Record Check (BCR).
• Fulfillment of health and safety requirements including first aid and CPR.
• Willingness to attend job-related training.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs for children.
• Maintain relationships with families to encourage involvement.
• Complete necessary health and safety checklists and report concerns.

Skills

Ability to work with other adults and children

Dependable and flexible

Bilingual (if applicable)

Excellent communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

EEC Lead Teacher certificate

Job description

Lead Teacher – 37.5 hours per week, full year

Making Opportunity Count Inc, Gardner, Massachusetts, United States

About this position

About Making Opportunity Count MOC’s mission is to empower families to achieve economic security by eliminating barriers and creating opportunities. To alleviate poverty, we deliver a variety of services including childcare, education, workforce development, nutrition, health, and community and housing support.

Position Overview

Responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate program that contributes to children’s overall growth, self‑esteem, and social competence. Develop individual goals for children, provide ongoing assessment of progress, and facilitate transition to pre‑school and/or kindergarten.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement the Head Start philosophy and objectives as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, program policies and procedures, making appropriate decisions regarding emergencies or unscheduled events.
• Maintain own EEC personnel file on site, including current physical, immunizations, qualifications, training certificates. Record all training promptly in the EEC PQ registry.
• Post all required documents in the classrooms as indicated in EEC, Head Start standards and program policies.
• Review parent permissions on file for emergency release people, release of information, etc.
• Review all children’s files including medical information for health issues (e.g., allergies). Review and follow individual health plans and blue cards.
• Follow the program’s child abuse and neglect policy and the behavior management plan.
• Interact with children respectfully and affectionately, fostering positive self‑concept and independence by promoting self‑help and problem‑solving utilizing goals from the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).
• Provide an environment in which children can learn and practice appropriate behaviors, arranging furniture, equipment and classroom materials to meet the changing needs of the children, utilizing the Early Childhood and/or Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scales as a guide.
• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, multicultural curriculum that maximizes each child’s opportunity for success using Head Start Early Learning Frameworks, Program School Readiness Goals, Creative Curriculum Studies and Teaching Strategies Gold in planning to meet the standards.
• Guide and direct assistant teachers, aides, volunteers and student teachers. Share planning, organization and implementation of the daily program with co‑teachers/assistant teachers, serving as a role model and sharing observations daily.
• Use space, material and routine to establish an interesting and safe environment utilizing E.C.E.R.S. and I.T.E.R.S., encouraging exploration and learning indoors and out; actively participate in outdoor play with children.
• Grocery shopping and food preparation in accordance with Head Start and Child Care Food Program guidelines; assist in clean‑up, including lifting and transporting food containers, coolers and dirty dish bins to designated area as needed.
• Maintain an open, friendly and informative relationship with each child’s family encouraging involvement in the program. Prepare monthly presentation for parent meetings, participate in parent meetings and activities as requested.
• Complete two home visits a year, two/three parent/teacher conferences and other parent conferences as needed in the child’s home, taking appropriate measures to ensure a smooth transition from one classroom or program to another utilizing the program’s transition forms.
• Initiate bi‑weekly staff meetings with classroom team and other support staff to share and discuss relevant information about children, families and classroom operations.
• Check and respond to Agency email regularly.
• Work cooperatively and maintain professional relationships with co‑workers, supervisors and other Head Start staff to promote achievement of goals and objectives.
• Complete daily health and safety checklists and report any safety concerns promptly. Conduct and record monthly fire drills/building evacuation.
• Ensure that all children are safe and accounted for and in the direct supervision of a qualified staff member.
• Assume responsibility to work independently and meet program timelines to ensure a well‑run classroom. Establish clear objectives for all lessons and communicate those objectives to children and families.
• Comply with the Head Start Abuse and Neglect policy.
• Review and evaluate own teaching and learning strategies, methodologies to align with state standards, Head Start performance standards, five‑year program goals, Head Start and Early Head Start.
• Participate in at least 20 hours of training per year to comply with EEC, QRIS and Head Start standards. Enter all training/coursework into Professional Qualification (P.Q.) registry. Renew P.Q. registry annually.
• Follow all Health and Safety requirements and regulations during diapering and toileting.
• Perform other tasks as assigned within scope.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree, working toward bachelor’s degree in ECE or related field.
• EEC Lead Teacher certificate.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Dependable and flexible.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with other adults and children.
• Willingness to attend job‑related trainings.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Bi‑lingual staff must be able to speak, write and read in two languages, and assist with translations as necessary.
• Fulfillment of all specific health and safety requirements (staff physical every two years, evidence of MMR and other required tests, OSHA, first aid and CPR).
• Must have a suitable Background Record Check (BCR).
• Follow MOC policies and procedures as described in the Staff Handbook and Personnel Policies and the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Dept. of Early Education and Care regulations.
• Job site assignments may change based on program needs.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk, bend, sit on floor, and climb stairs.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs to lift children and/or work‑related equipment.

Other duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Compensation

A salary within the range of $22.49 to $38.29 per hour will be provided to the successful candidate having met the minimum requirements for the position consistent with the MOC compensation philosophy. The candidate’s exact placement will be determined based on factors consistent with MOC’s compensation framework.

MOC offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company‑Paid Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 15 Paid Vacation Days
• 12 Paid Sick Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Student Loan Forgiveness Assistance
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development Opportunities
• On‑Demand early pay access
• Immediate 403(b) Employer Contribution, 100% Vesting on Day One

EEO Statement

Making Opportunity Count is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Information

$22.49 - $38.29 per hour