Lead Teacher – Preschool (Portland)
Early Childhood Education / Head Start
The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Head Start Lead Teacher 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 is responsible for providing safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments in center-based settings and supervision of Assistant teachers and any additional classroom staff. The Lead Teacher implements child development programming to support the overall growth and development of children and families in accordance with the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday
This is a school-year schedule, not year-round (approx. 36 weeks/year)
Location: Portland, ME
Qualifications:
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An Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or an Associate degree in a related field with 12 infant/toddler credits or; an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential (Maine ITC) and an Associate degree in a related field required.
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Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or social work preferred.
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1-3 years of supervisory experience preferred.
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2-4 years of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting or community-based work related to infants/toddlers and their families preferred.
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Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.
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Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
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Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
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Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
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Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
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Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
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Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen.
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Must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
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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.
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Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility
The Opportunity Alliance has an extensive benefit package. Explore here: https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits
Our benefits include but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off
- 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
- *Tuition Reimbursement - Additional information about benefits offered by TOA and eligibility requirements will be explained upon hire.
- The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Why Work for TOA?
The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
The Opportunity Alliance envisions contributing meaningfully to a community in which families and individuals are thriving and supported as they pursue their aspirations for a better life. Within The Opportunity Alliance, there is a shared belief that positive change is possible.
The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a multi-service, comprehensive, high impact organization providing 46 integrated community based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine.
TOA tackles some of our community’s most pressing problems: poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and domestic violence. Our programming draws from a wide range of resources, blending evidence-based practices with practical experience and community resources.
The Opportunity Alliance is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are viewing this posting on a third -party site, please visit our website at https://www.opportunityalliance.org/careers/ to apply.
Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.
Thank you!