Head Start Head Teacher - Preschool Classroom (3-5-year olds)

Reports to: Early Childhood Site Supervisor

Classroom: Preschool

Status: Full Time, Exempt, 40 hours per week

Salary: $44,930 annually; $26.40/hr (1702 hours per year with summer break off)

Location: NW Portland (Pearl neighborhood)

Yearly Schedule: the school year runs through June 13^th, 2025   *Summer break is unpaid but unemployment insurance eligible. Employees also maintain their health and voluntary benefits during summer break. 

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 active in anti-poverty work for over 115 years, and believe that everyone should have the community and support they need to thrive. Neighborhood House is committed to a transparent, respectful and welcoming work culture that reflects the culturally rich communities we serve. 

About the 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 their 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 preschool-aged children.

Primary Responsibilities

The successful Head Teacher demonstrates positive and appropriate interactions with children and adults, fostering an inclusive environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This includes effectively communicating with those whose English language skills may be limited. In this influential role, you will handle sensitive and confidential information, requiring professional behavior in all interactions. The Head Teacher assumes a high level of responsibility and autonomy, working both independently and collaboratively, while managing crises and solving problems as they arise.

This position involves 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 that 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 maintain enrollment at all times during employment.
• Adult and Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification (must obtain within 30 days of employment - NH pays for the cost of the certification).
• Food Handlers Card (must obtain within 30 days of employment - NH pays for the cost of the certification).

• Basic-Intermediate proficiency of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher, Outlook Mail, Calendar, and OneDrive.

• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam (NH pays for the cost of the exam).
• Reliable transportation.
• Upon hire and as a condition of continual work, this position requires the ability of the 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. 

Preferred Qualifications

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

Benefits

Neighborhood House offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• 8.84 hours of PTO accrued per pay period.
• Affordable health insurance with 95% of employee premium paid by NH.
• 100% employer-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary long-term disability, critical illness, and accident insurance.
• 403b retirement plan.
• FSA
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program which offers free counseling sessions.
• Employees are eligible for credit in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.