Lead Teacher, Head Start
About this role
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.
Company at a glance
South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), founded in 1965 as part of the Federal War on Poverty, has evolved to meet a wider range of challenges that people in our communities face. Our four main areas of programming include:
Behavioral Health Services | Comprehensive Housing Services | Employment and Education | Family and Nutrition.
SMOC is a multi-service umbrella organization that works in the community to provide opportunities to enhance self-sufficiency. Headquartered in Framingham, Mass, the agency has expanded to meet housing needs of homeless and formerly homeless individuals in the greater Worcester region and became the Greater Worcester Housing Connection. We also are affiliated with the Open Pantry Community Services in Springfield to provide additional housing, food and supportive services throughout Western MA. Our mission is "To improve the quality of life of low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families by advocating for their needs and rights; providing services; educating the community; building a community of support; participating in coalitions with other advocates and searching for new resources and partnerships" SMOC programs apply best known practices in environments that are client-centered, strength-based and trauma-informed.
To apply for our various positions, please follow this link www.smoc.org/opportunities.php
Top Benefits
- Paid Time Off
- Vacation
- Sick Time
- Paid Holidays
- Employer-paid Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- Medical Plans
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement
- Dental Plans
- Orthodontic Coverage
- Vision Insurance
- 403(B) Retirement Plan
- Company Match
- Term and Whole Life Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity
- Short-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
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