Lead Teacher - PreK, Dora Small Elementary School

The Opportunity Alliance • South Portland, ME

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Head Start Lead Teacher - PreK to join the Head Start team and make a difference in the lives of children and families in your community. 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.

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.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Five-year professional 081 certificate preferred.
• 1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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
• Qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level