Teacher – Head Start

You are a caring, dedicated, and dependable educator who thrives in a collaborative team environment and is committed to excellence in early childhood education. You bring experience working in an early learning or school setting and are confident engaging with young children, families, and colleagues while balancing classroom leadership and documentation responsibilities.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families, and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Child and Family Services programs offer high-quality care, education, and support to young children and their families.

Summary/Objective
The Head Start Teacher provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that supports the development and well-being of young children and families. The Teacher plans and implements individualized, developmentally appropriate curriculum informed by observation, child assessment data, family input, and program goals in alignment with Child & Family Division curriculum guidelines.

This role combines classroom instruction, family partnership, and program documentation. Teachers lead daily classroom operations, support assistant teachers and classroom staff, and maintain required records related to child development, classroom activities, and program compliance. The Teacher ensures children’s safety and well-being at all times by adhering to all program policies and federal, state, and local standards and best practices.

Essential Functions

• Create and maintain a research-based, developmentally appropriate classroom environment that supports children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Engage all learners, including children with diverse learning needs and children for whom English is a second language.
• Incorporate the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children into daily classroom routines, interactions, and activities.
• Interact respectfully and professionally with children, families, and colleagues using strength-based, trauma-informed, and relationship-based practices.
• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans in collaboration with a co-teacher or assistant teacher that include developmentally appropriate learning objectives aligned with program curriculum, Massachusetts Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
• Conduct regular observations and screenings to support developmental assessments, individualized instruction, and monitoring of children’s progress toward learning goals.
• Initiate referrals for services when appropriate and collaborate with specialists to support child development needs.
• Use classroom data such as child assessments, observation tools, and program feedback to guide continuous improvement in teaching practices.
• Practice positive discipline techniques in compliance with state licensing regulations and program policies to promote positive behavior and reduce challenging behaviors.
• Ensure children’s safety at all times through active supervision indoors and outdoors and by maintaining a clean, organized classroom environment.
• Partner with families to support children’s development through regular communication, strength-based feedback, Parent-Teacher conferences, and Home Visits as required by program guidelines.
• Collaborate regularly with Family Support Specialists and program specialists to coordinate services and respond to family needs.
• Lead and support classroom staff including assistant teachers, per-diem staff, and volunteers in daily classroom operations and activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely records including attendance, CACFP meal counts, child assessments, incident reports, and other required documentation.
• Participate in team meetings, training, coaching, and professional development activities to support program goals and professional growth.
• Support children and families during daily transitions and program changes.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and coaching staff to develop and implement an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP).
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism including adherence to dress code, the NAEYC Code of Ethics, Child & Family Services code of conduct, and consistent attendance and punctuality.
• As a mandated reporter, recognize and report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities as required by law.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and program operations at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Strong knowledge of early childhood development and family engagement practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead a classroom environment while collaborating effectively with teaching staff and program specialists.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills to meet program compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates accountability and professionalism in service delivery as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities including teaching, classroom supervision, and documentation tasks.
• Integrates the organization’s mission, goals, and policies into daily work to support an inclusive and culturally responsive environment.
• Positively represents The Dimock Center in all interactions with families, visitors, colleagues, and community partners.

Work Environment
This position is primarily classroom-based and may include both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Teachers may be assigned to one classroom or provide support across multiple classrooms depending on program needs.

Physical Demands
This role requires standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods of time. The position may require lifting up to 40 pounds and frequent carrying of up to 25 pounds.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work
Early Head Start and Head Start Programs: Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 3:45 PM.

Salary
The approved hourly range for this position is $21.00 – $36.00 depending on education, experience, and certification level.

Required Education and Experience

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher Certification required.

For Early Head Start classrooms:
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential with training or coursework in infant and toddler development.

For Head Start classrooms:
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field with coursework equivalent to a major in early childhood education and experience teaching preschool-age children, or eligibility under Head Start Act 648A(a)(3)(B) waiver provisions.

Two years of experience working with ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse children and families preferred.

Bilingual skills in English/Spanish, English/Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole preferred.

Other Duties
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties associated with this position. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement
The Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.