Job Offer: Preschool Head Teacher, Division of Childcare and Family Support:City Of Cambridge
Job description:
Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply. Department: Human Service Programs listing title: Preschool Head Teacher, Division of Childcare and Family Support Job Code: D447-729 Civil Service Position: Non Civil Service position Union Affiliation: Local 1596 United Auto Workers Hours Per Week: 40-hour week
ESSENTIAL tasks AND Job responsibilities: To support and supervise staff's implementation of program's educational philosophy and goals. Under the direction of the Teacher/Director, lead staff in the design of child-centered play located curriculum which enhances the social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children enrolled in the program. The Lead Teacher will: » Ensure that curriculum meets the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), NAEYC, QRIS, and DHSP curriculum standards and guidelines. » Meet weekly with Teachers to support their knowledge and capability to research, plan, implement, document, and reflect upon curriculum activities and long-term projects that meet above mentioned standards and guidelines. Supervise staff's implementation of planned curriculum. » Model how to implement developmentally appropriate, child-centered small and large group activities with children that is flexible enough to accommodate changes, if needed, yet still meet EEC guidelines and NAEYC standards. » Coordinate curriculum between morning and afternoon programming while ensuring that documentation of children's learning is adequately incorporated into its planning and implementation phases. » Plan and coordinate safe and developmentally appropriate field trips with the Teacher/Director that connects curriculum topics to the world outside of the classroom. » With Teacher/Director and Teachers, design and arrange classroom space which allows for a large variety of activities that promotes children's growing independence in using the classroom resources and materials. Ensure that classroom set-up and environment meet EEC regulations, NAEYC criteria, and supports the program's educational philosophy and goals. » Make sure classroom space is free from hazards as well as create and implement safety/playground checklist as per EEC regulations » Involve enrolled children in assessing the classroom environment and establishing classroom rules to accommodate individual and group needs. » Establish clear and age-appropriate behavioral expectations for the group and each child that sets the desired tone in the classroom. » Model and supervise staff's nurturing and socially responsive care to all children enrolled in the program. » Help all staff, teachers, and substitutes manage the individual needs of each child, whether they have or do not have disabilities. » Support staff's capability to manage challenging behavior by modeling positive behavior interventions so that the child's self-esteem and respect is not negatively impacted. » Coordinate with Teacher/Director attendance at IEP meetings and follow-through to achieve the accommodations, goals, and objectives that specialists have written into that child's plan. » With Teacher/Director, organize observation and documentation of children's developmental progress using the Work Sampling System, portfolios, and classroom displays. Coordinate three annual parent-teacher conferences. » With Teacher/Director, write, read, review, and revise teachers' Work Sampling Narrative Summary Reports three times yearly, including the collection of portfolio materials, completed child assessment checklists, and child's narrative summary report. » Work with Teacher/Director to analyze Work Sampling classroom data/profiles to modify and adapt curriculum to better achieve children's development in all domains. » Provide consistent support and communication with families regarding their child's everyday practices in the program while respecting child, family, and staff confidentiality. » Keep parents/guardians informed, through a variety of means that are accessible to all parents, about program curriculum, activities, and events enabling parents to support their child's learning outside of the program. » With Teacher/Director, maintain and make available information about Cambridge resources and services available to families with young children. » Support Teacher/Director plan, organize, and facilitate as well as participate in a variety of meetings: parent/guardian meetings or workshops; staff meetings with the Teacher/Director, Preschool Manager, or other DHSP staff and with program consultants. » Provide consistent professional support to the classroom team, empowering teachers, giving constructive ideas, seeking, and accepting advice to enhance the team's functioning. » Fulfill some Teacher/Director position responsibilities when Teacher/Director is not present. » Maintain professional knowledge through participation in in-service training workshops offered by the Childcare Division or other outside resources as well as meeting educational requirements established by the Department of Early Care and Education and the City of Cambridge. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to execute essential functions.
MINIMUM Requirements: » Must be a certified Lead Teacher with a bachelor's degree. » Three years' practice working as a teacher with curriculum development and staff supervision. » Must have good writing and computer expertise. » Familiar with EEC, QRIS, and NAEYC standards, guidelines, and other requirements In evaluating candidates, the City reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, that an individual who does not meet the educational requirements described herein, but who is currently pursuing a degree, may be qualified for this position. The continued employment of any individual hired or promoted into this position will be contingent upon that employee's continuing pursuit of a college degree in early childhood development or a related area.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the tasks of this job, the employee is frequently required to: » Be agile in their movements; moving quickly from sitting on the floor to standing, to kneeling to be at the child's eye level. Employees may have to run after children, both in play and to respond to an emergency. » Be able to hear children who speak in a soft voice or mumble words when distressed. » Be able to use their hands and arms to move, reach, handle, and manipulate objects in the classroom. This includes moving furniture once a year when room is re-organized. » Be able to occasionally lift and/or move a child (up to 40 pounds). » Vision abilities are required for the supervision of children. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. The noise level is moderately to very loud. Information technology includes classroom, outdoor playgrounds, and occasional field trips. RATE: $22.17-$26.28 per hour + excellent benefits
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Internal candidates submit job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and cover letter. External candidates submit both your resume and cover letter via email to: rjohnson@cambridgema.gov or to Renee Johnson, DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA. FAX: 617-349-6248. PHONE: 617-349-6212. Review of resumes is continuing. Position will remain open until filled.
THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING A WORKFORCE CULTURE OF ANTIRACISM, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
