Toddler Teacher (Foundations for Learning)

You are a caring, hard working individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to excellence. You have experience working with toddlers from a variety of backgrounds, and love working with children.

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 quality care, education and support to young children and their families.

The Foundations for Learning Program provides comprehensive education and family support services to children birth through age five, and their families. Offering high-quality services to promote the success of children and to meet the needs of families that are working, in school, or job-searching.

This position provides a safe and nurturing environment for children that promotes social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The teacher plans and implements individualized, developmentally-appropriate curriculum based on child observation and assessment data and in accordance with Child & Family established curriculum guidelines. They ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by adhering to all program policies and in accordance with all federal, state and local standards and best practices.

Essential Functions

1. Creates and maintains a developmentally-appropriate learning environment for young children designed to support children in gaining the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in school and life.

2. Incorporates the ‘Pyramid Model’ of social-emotional support and intervention into classroom routines, interactions, and activities.

3. Interacts respectfully with children and families using relationship-based practices.

4. Practices positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s behavior in compliance with all state licensing regulations and program policies.

5. Ensures children’s safety at all times, including providing appropriate active supervision and maintaining a clean, well-organized classroom.

6. Conducts regular observations of children in assigned classes for the purposes of: completing developmental assessments, individualizing instruction to meet the needs of each child, assessing and reporting on children’s interest in, and mastery of, learning objectives.

7. Develops weekly lesson plans that include specific developmentally appropriate learning objectives – both child and teacher-led - aligned with MA Early Learning Standards and the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework.

8. Partners with families to support children’s learning by: acknowledging all families, inviting input, responding to concerns, sharing strength-based observations of child’s skills, interests, and abilities, and conducting at least 4 Parent-Teacher conferences and 2 Home Visits each program year.

9. Communicates regularly with Family Services Specialists and content area specialists(s) to coordinate efforts to respond appropriately to child and family needs.

10. Supports children and families during transitions to and from classrooms.

11. Works collaboratively with supervisor to develop an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to guide training, educational, and coaching activities for the program year.

12. Participates in team meetings, trainings, and other educational activities to promote team building

13. Keeps timely, accurate records, including CACFP meal counts and all required documentation.

14. Establishes and maintains a relationship of cooperation and respect with colleagues; participates actively in teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning.

15. Guides and supports Teaching Assistants.

16. Maintains the highest degree of professionalism at all times, including, but not limited to: adherence to dress code, regular attendance, and punctuality.

17. Acts as mandated reporter, recognizing and reporting suspected abuse and/or neglect to the appropriate authorities as required by law.

18. Maintains confidentiality at all times and communicate to others the importance of confidentiality.

19. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

1. MA Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification required.

2. To be eligible for assignment to an Early Head Start classroom must have a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, and have been trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.

3. To be eligible for assignment to a Head Start Classroom, must have at least an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education, or a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children or otherwise meet waiver requirements of Head Start Act 648A(a)(3)(B).

4. A minimum of two years of experience working with ethnically, linguistically, and/or economically diverse children and families, preferable in case management capacity populations preferred.

5. Bilingual skills: English/Spanish, English/Cape Verdean or Haitian Creole a plus.

Physical Demands

This position will at times require lifting up to 40 pounds, with frequent carrying of up to 25 pounds. Frequent walking, kneeling, crouching and kneeling required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This position operates on a 37.5-hour workweek.