Position: Lead Teacher 

Hours: As Assigned

Location: As Assigned

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Education Site Supervisor

Supervise: Teacher and Teacher Assistant/Bus Monitor

Position Summary:

Responsible for 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 to implement individualized School Readiness goals. Ensure adequate bus monitor coverage for bus route.  

Essential 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.
• Practice and maintain current knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards, EEC Regulations, HS & ELP Service Delivery, and NAEYC criterion.
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including competent use of program’s data system.
• Ensure the appropriate supervision of children, including implementation of protocols for the care of young children both in the classroom and on the bus.
• Ensure healthy and safe environments for young children.
• Provide support and guidance for teaching staff through ongoing supervision and monthly observation, including volunteers and interns, as assigned.
• 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.

Essential Qualifications:

Minimum Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and actively enrolled in Baccalaureate program with one year experience in appropriate early childhood setting. Department of Early Education & Care Lead 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. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. Must be able to engage in activities that include bending, floor activities, and lifting young children 2 months to 5 years of age. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. The noise level in the classroom is lively. The work environment is primarily an indoor classroom environment, with daily exposure to outdoor weather.

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.