Lead Teacher, Head Start

South Middlesex Opportunity Council; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (vacation)

Life Insurance & AD&D

Dental & Vision Plans

403(b) Retirement Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

South Middlesex Opportunity Council is hiring a Lead PS Teacher to support Head Start classrooms in Marlborough, MA. You will plan developmentally appropriate activities, engage families, and ensure a safe, healthy learning environment aligned with EEC and Head Start standards.

You will collaborate with the classroom team, document child progress, and participate in ongoing staff development. Strong communication across families and staff is essential, with CPR/First Aid certification required

Qualifications

• EEC Lead PS Teacher certificate is required.
• Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred.
• Experience communicating with children, families, and co‑workers from diverse backgrounds.
• CPR & First Aid certification must be current.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Follow SMOC Child Care and Head Start philosophy and applicable regulations and standards.
• Lead classroom activities and create a supportive learning environment for child development.
• Maintain a compliant, safe, and engaging classroom and collaborate with the team.
• Participate in staff growth and development opportunities.
• Communicate regularly with Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Supervisor with timely updates.
• Observe and record child behavior to plan appropriate interventions and referrals when needed.
• Manage classroom needs and ensure equipment and supplies are well maintained.
• Prepare accurate reports and documentation for the classroom.
• Adhere to health and safety policies and participate in required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain attendance records and engage families through calls, home visits, and events.
• Ensure confidentiality and compliance with program requirements.

Skills

Effective communication with families

Engaging diverse children

Bilingual skills (plus)

Education

EEC Lead PS Teacher certificate

Degree in ECE or related field

Job description

Summary:

Positive and creative leader/team member who provides a nurturing classroom. Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that engage the whole child. Supports the readiness of children through social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language activities. Establishes and maintains a safe, healthy learning environment. Encourages the involvement of families and strengthens the relationships between children, families and community. Head Start is based on a public- school calendar.

Why Work for SMOC?

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.


• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.


• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.


• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.


• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.


• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Be knowledgeable and follow all SMOC Child Care and Head Start philosophy and all regulations and performance standards (EEC, Head Start, NAEYC, and QRIS) applicable to the assigned classroom.


• Runs and facilitates the classroom- prepares and implements a successful learning environment that supports and challenges each child's development.


• Maintains compliance in the classroom and creates a positive environment for the team.


• Participates in opportunities for staff growth and development.


• Communicates regularly with Teacher, Lead Teacher, and/or Supervisor and shares all pertinent information as quickly as possible.


• Observes and records children's behavior for the purpose of assessing skills and planning appropriately to meet individual and group needs. Recognizes areas of concern, assists in appropriate intervention or needed referrals, and participates in conferences.


• Assesses classroom needs for equipment, materials, and supplies and reports to Lead Teacher and/or Supervisor.
  Maintains the space, equipment, materials, and supplies in a safe, healthy, clean, and orderly fashion.


• Assists in providing accurate and timely reports, record keeping, and other documentation required for the assigned classroom.


• Maintains strict adherence to health and safety policies and procedures.


• Attends all required staff meetings, workshops, trainings, committee meetings, and parent functions.


• Mandated Reporter (51A) training is mandatory for all staff.


• Maintain accurate daily attendance records in both Child Plus and required paper attendance forms, including sign-in/sign-out information, absence reasons, and attendance notes. Ensure all records are completed within established timelines and comply with Head Start, EEC, CACFP, and program requirements.


• Responsible for providing positive and supportive relationships by maintaining contact with families by phone calls, conferences, home visits, arrivals & departures, and communicating family volunteer opportunities.
  Actively supervises children at all times.


• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs, whether within or outside the scope of work.


• Attend & participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with families and staff in other areas.


• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.


• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency, and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.


• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• EEC Lead PS Teacher certificate.


• Degree in ECE or related field preferred.


• Must be comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and able to effectively communicate with children, families and co-workers.


• Bilingual skills a plus.


• Priority given to past or present Head Start parents for positions for which they are qualified in the Head Start program.


• Must be or become certified in CPR & First Aid within the time frame required by EEC licensing.

Organizational Relationship:

Directly reports to Satellite Director. Indirectly reports to the Division Director. Direct reports of this position are Teachers and Teacher Aides.

Physical Requirement:

Must be able to handle the physical aspects of the position including the lifting of a child.
Proof of physical exam within the last year determining good health and meeting all EEC requirements. Must submit proof of physical exam every 2 years thereafter.
Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Lead Teacher will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

Monday through Friday: Variable Shift, 7:00AM - 6:00PM. Includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
35 Hours per week.