Lead Teacher/ Director

Aug 22, 2024 | Employment-Full Time

Lead Teacher/ Director

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher/Director is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive early childhood education program that supports children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. The Lead Teacher/Director provides classroom leadership, supervises teaching staff, partners with families, and ensures compliance with licensing and program standards while creating an engaging and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Responsibilities

Curriculum & Child Development

  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children.
  • Observe, assess, and document children’s growth and development.
  • Utilize assessment data to inform lesson planning and individualized instruction.
  • Create engaging classroom environments that encourage exploration, independence, and learning.
  • Support children with diverse developmental and learning needs through collaboration with families and support professionals.
  • Maintain classroom documentation that highlights children’s learning experiences and progress.

Leadership & Supervision

  • Lead and support classroom staff, including Associate Teachers, Teacher Aides, substitutes, volunteers, and student teachers.
  • Facilitate team planning, communication, and professional growth.
  • Mentor and coach staff to promote high-quality teaching practices.
  • Delegate responsibilities effectively and foster a positive team culture.
  • Participate in ongoing professional development and coaching opportunities.

Family Engagement

  • Build strong, respectful partnerships with families.
  • Communicate regularly regarding children’s progress and classroom activities.
  • Conduct family conferences and support family participation in children’s learning.
  • Collaborate with family support and engagement staff to address family needs and strengthen outcomes for children.

Program Operations

  • Maintain a safe, healthy, and welcoming classroom environment.
  • Ensure compliance with EEC regulations and program requirements.
  • Complete required documentation, assessments, attendance records, and reports accurately and on time.
  • Support continuous quality improvement initiatives and organizational goals.
  • Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training activities as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
  • Appropriate Massachusetts EEC Lead Teacher certification for assigned age group.
  • Director I certification or eligibility.
  • Minimum of two years of experience in an early childhood education setting.
  • Minimum of one year of supervisory or leadership experience.
  • Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
  • Ability to pass all required background checks.

Preferred:

  • Experience working in high-quality early childhood programs.
  • Knowledge of Creative Curriculum, Reggio Emilia-inspired practices, inquiry-based learning, or other child-centered educational approaches.
  • CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong leadership and team-building skills
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
  • Curriculum planning and assessment expertise
  • Organization and time-management skills
  • Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and family partnership
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and programs
  • Professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical practice

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to actively engage with young children throughout the day.
  • Ability to sit, kneel, bend, lift, and move throughout classroom and outdoor environments.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.

Job Type: Full-time (40 Hours)

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Professional development assistance
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance

Education:

  • Bachelor’s (Required)

License/Certification:

  • EEC Director I certification (Required)

Work Location: All Square One Locations, Springfield

Internal Applicants: If you are applying for a position internally, you must make sure you inform your immediate Supervisor or Director of your intent. Failure to comply with this process may result in the loss of internal candidate status. Please contact Melanie Salvaggio by email at msalvaggio@startatsquareone.org. All internal applicants must apply by contacting the Human Resource Dept. within (10) ten working days of the date of the actual posting.

External Applicants: Please apply in person or by mailing in your resume and cover letter to Square One, 186 William Street; Springfield, MA 01105.
You may also e-mail your resume or cover letter to msalvaggio@startatsquareone.org

Square One is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Employe