Description

The Teacher is responsible for the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher plans and implements the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards. 
 
This position is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. 
 
This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures. 
 
All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G.  Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.
 
The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.
 

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching Practices

• Provide pre-school children with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy individualized environment and the varied experiences which help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development in relationship to the overall goal of social competency.
• Provide a balance between child-initiated and teacher-led activities.
• Provide a balance between quiet and active learning activities.
• Help children gain independence and autonomy in eating, toileting, dressing and hygiene through age appropriate and manageable tasks for children to practice and achieve competence.
• Provide technical assistance and supervision to Teacher Assistants and classroom volunteers to facilitate the implementation of developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Ensure the integration of the educational aspects of the various Head Start components by developing opportunities and activities for children to learn about health, safety, nutrition, dental health, and families.
• Develop activities and strategies to engage parents in the educational aspect of the program in order to improve their understanding of child development and facilitate their role as the principal influence in their child's education and development.

Observation, Planning and Documentation

Ensure individualized and quality educational programming by participating in:

• The screening and educational assessment of children.
• The use of diagnostic evaluations to develop long- and short-term goals for each child.
• The development and implementation of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• The development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for children with special needs.
• Daily observations of children.
• Record keeping activities (e.g., keeping records of daily observations of children and of communication with parents).
• Team meetings.
•  A minimum of two home visits per family per year.
• A minimum of three Parent/Teacher conferences per year.
• Periodic field trips.
• Serve as a mentor for teacher assistants enrolled in professional training.

Additional Duties & Tasks

• Attend meetings as necessary.
• Maintain the EEC requirements including staff to child ratios, classroom supervision, etc.
• Perform any other related duties or responsibilities contained in this job description, otherwise assigned or as required by state or federal laws.
• Report to the Program Director for all matters relating to terms of employment and center operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Possess necessary computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Ability to use other database systems as required for data collection.
• Behave in a professional manner.
• Exhibit good interpersonal skills; works cooperatively as a member of a teaching team, with other program staff and parents.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served in Head Start.
• Possess the ability to work with a culturally diverse low-income population.

Professionalism

• Promotes the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children's Services. Builds an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.
• Engages in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintains professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintains confidentiality of child and family information at all times.
  

Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions

• Lift and move pre-school age children.   
• Remain alert during naptime supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children both by sight and sound at all times.
• Respond to children in the case of an emergency in order to ensure safety, such as the capability to react quickly and chase after a child if he or she runs toward danger or tries to leave the classroom.
• Attend to the needs of children with disabilities, including physically challenged children.
• Lift and move equipment and furniture as necessary to facilitate the execution of classroom activities.

Requirements

Teacher I ($24.69/hr): Associates degree in early childhood education or Associates degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool age children required. EEC Preschool Teacher certified preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.
 
Teacher II ($30.36/hr): Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or Bachelor’s degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool age children. EEC Preschool Teacher certified preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.
 
Teacher III ($34.17/hr): Master’s degree in early childhood education or Master’s degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool age children. EEC Preschool Teacher certified preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.