Lead Teacher -PreK - Head Start

The Opportunity Alliance • Westbrook, ME

15d • Onsite

About The Position

Lead Teacher, PreK Head Start Program - In partnership with Westbrook Public Schools 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. The Lead Teacher-Prekindergarten (Public School Partnership) is responsible for providing and overseeing 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, the TOA/Public School Memorandum of Understanding, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards. Schedule: Full time, 35 hour/week; M-F; daytime hours Location: Onsite, classroom in Westbrook, Maine Pay Scale : Pay is competitive and will be based on experience and education

Requirements

• A baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education or; a baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
• At a minimum, must meet requirements and be approved for a conditional Early Childhood Teacher Certificate Birth to Age 5 (081) issued by the State of Maine Department of Education within two months of hire. Five-year professional 081 certificate preferred.
• 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.
• Contracts that have Rider D: Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check. Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list. If residential or ECE employee must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen. ECE must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility

Nice To Haves

• 1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Five-year professional 081 certificate preferred.

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 (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees