Reports to: Site Supervisor

Status: Full Time, Exempt, 40 hours per week

Openings: 2

Locations: SW Portland and NW Portland

Salary: $26.40 Hourly

Schedules: Full Year and Part Year Positions Available (Part Year Program runs August 19^th, 2024 – June 13th, 2025) *Summer Break is unemployment eligible.

Our Head Start Program

Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes parents as primary teachers, a co-operative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, connection to community resources, and learning through child-led play. Our program is designed to meet the needs of and to provide school readiness skills to all eligible children, including those with special needs and disabilities, so our community’s children and families are stronger for life.  

Purpose of this Role

The Head Teacher is responsible for leading the teaching team and the classroom, in a collaborative manner, to support student’s learning and healthy development, using effective Creative Curriculum and research-based child assessment tools, nurturing the well-being of children, and implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies. This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of classroom management, with limited support from Supervisor. 

This position has knowledge of early childhood development and general principles of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate, child-led, multi-cultural, anti-bias curriculum, combined with experience teaching children under the age of 3.

Primary Responsibilities

The successful Head Teacher models positive and appropriate interactions with children and other adults, including individuals from diverse communities and cultures, including communicating effectively with those whose English language skills are limited. In this influential role you will work with sensitive and confidential information and are expected to behave professionally in all interactions. The Head Teacher assumes a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, working both independently and in a team setting; handling crises and problem solving as needed. 

This position has no direct supervision but will lead the classroom and will be expected to mentor and support the professional growth of the classroom teaching staff, as well as ensure all adults in the room understand program policies, procedures, and requirements.  
 
 Responsibilities are generally categorized as follows: 

Classroom Management – 75%

• Establish and maintain a positive classroom environment, utilizing PBIS framework.
• Ensure safety of children and staff in the classroom.
• Protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Ensure the classroom supplies are within reach. 
• Follow a consistent routine which includes small and large group activities.
• Assist in setup and cleanup.
• Assist with general routine care of children.

Development, Implementation and Assessment of Education Services – 15%

• Develop and implement appropriate lesson plans using Creative Curriculum.
• Work with families to complete the required Ages and Stages (ASQ & ASQ:SE) developmental screenings and create goals.
• Meet with the early intervention team for each child with an IFSP.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in Child Plus based on program policies/procedures.
• Complete reports according to program procedure, as needed.
• Conduct parent conferences and two home visits annually.
• Communicate regularly with families about their child’s progress.

Other – 10%

• Participate in monthly 1:1’s with Supervisor.
• Attend monthly all staff meetings. 
• Participate in required trainings and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in program self-assessment and strategic planning.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
  • A related degree that includes 30 quarter/20 semester college credits in ECE, Child Development, Elementary Education or Special Education may be considered.
• 1 year experience teaching children under the age of 3 in an early childhood setting.  

In lieu of the above, documentation of attaining at least step 9 or higher in the Oregon Registry Online (ORO), combined with 4 years’ experience teaching children under the age of 3 in an early childhood setting.

• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Childcare Division Central Background Registry (CBR) and always maintain enrollment during employment.
• Adult and Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification (must obtain within 30 days of employment).
• Food Handlers Card (must obtain within 30 days of employment).

• Basic-Intermediate Proficiency of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Power Point and Publisher.
• Basic-Intermediate Proficiency of Outlook Mail, Calendar, and One Drive.

• Successfully complete a pre-start date physical exam.
• Reliable transportation.

Upon hire and as a condition of continual work, this position requires the ability of employee to frequently bend, stoop, twist, reach, run, kneel, crouch, walk, stand and sit on the floor and in child-size chairs, as well as lift up to 50 pounds. The ability of the employee to speak, hear, see (close up, distance and depth perception) is required. This position may expose the employee to blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of research-based child assessment tools. 
• Experience working directly with parents.

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for over 115 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive. Neighborhood House is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. Our goal is to build a team that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve.

Connections working at Neighborhood House