Preschool Teacher (Foundations for Learning)

You are a caring, dedicated, and energetic educator who thrives in a team-based environment and is committed to excellence in early childhood education. You have experience working with preschool-aged children from a variety of backgrounds and are passionate about helping young learners grow, explore, and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

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.

The Foundations for Learning Program provides comprehensive education and family support services to children birth through age five, and their families. The program offers high-quality, developmentally appropriate services that promote school readiness and support families who are working, in school, or job-searching.

This position provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that supports preschool children’s 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. The teacher ensures the safety and supervision of children at all times by adhering to all program policies and to all federal, state, and local standards and best practices.

Essential Functions

1. Creates and maintains a developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool-aged children designed to support children in gaining the skills and confidence needed for success 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 and culturally responsive 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, organized, and welcoming classroom.

6. Conducts regular observations of children in assigned classes for the purposes of completing developmental assessments, individualizing instruction, and assessing and reporting on children’s interests and progress toward learning goals.

7. Develops weekly lesson plans that include clear, 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 children’s skills, interests, and abilities, and conducting at least four Parent-Teacher conferences and two Home Visits each program year.

9. Communicates regularly with Family Services Specialists and content area specialists to coordinate efforts that appropriately respond 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 collaboration and team building.

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

14. Establishes and maintains cooperative and respectful relationships with colleagues and actively participates in the teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning.

15. Guides and supports Teaching Assistants to promote a positive and effective classroom environment.

16. Maintains the highest degree of professionalism at all times, including adherence to dress code, regular attendance, and punctuality.

17. Acts as a 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 communicates the importance of confidentiality to others.

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 training or 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 with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-aged 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 preferred.

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

Physical Demands

This position may require lifting up to 40 pounds, with frequent carrying of up to 25 pounds. Frequent walking, standing, kneeling, crouching, and bending are required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This position operates on a 37.5-hour workweek. Typical shifts include 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

The approved salary for this role is $19-$31/hr dependent on relevant education, relevant experience and certifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Dimock Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.