Assistant Teacher, Preschool - Head Start - full time

The Opportunity Alliance • South Portland, ME

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for collaborating with the Lead Teacher and Teacher Aide to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment, primarily in a center-based classroom, for the overall growth and development of children & families in accordance with the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards. The Assistant Teacher has a primary caseload of children & their families. Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.

Requirements

• High School Diploma and CDA credential; or, High School Diploma and be enrolled in a CDA program that will be completed within two years; or, have an associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area) or be enrolled in a program leading to such a degree.
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.

Nice To Haves

• An associate or baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or; an associate degree in a field related to early childhood education and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education or; a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education.
• 1-2 years of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting or community based work related to preschool age children & their families.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Lead Teacher and Teacher Aide to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment.
• Ensuring the overall growth and development of children & families.
• Adhering to the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
• Managing a primary caseload of children & their families.
• Successfully passing a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Passing pre-employment physical and TB screen.
• Maintaining current MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Exerting significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lifting and carrying small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• Qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED