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Making Opportunity Count Inc

Assistant Teacher

Making Opportunity Count Inc, Gardner, Massachusetts, us, 01440

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Title Code: UCCH012

Role Title: Assistant Teacher

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Union Status: SEIU

Department: 7 – ChildCare HeadStart

Pay Range: $22.49 to $38.29 per hour (SEIU Teacher Pay Scale 2024)

Reports To: School Age Coordinator

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Revision Date: 7/28/25

About Making Opportunity Count MOC’s mission is to empower families to achieve economic security by eliminating barriers and creating opportunities. To alleviate poverty, we deliver a variety of services including childcare, education, workforce development, nutrition, health, and community and housing support.

Position Overview The Assistant Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate program that contributes to children’s overall growth, self-esteem and social competence. Develop individual goals for children, provide on-going assessment on progress and facilitate children’s transition to pre-school and/or kindergarten.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Knows and practices Child Care & Head Start philosophy and objectives as outlined in the Performance Standards, program policies and procedures under the guidance of the Lead Teacher

Maintain paper and electronic children’s files according to Program, EEC, NAEYC and Head Start/Early Head Start standards. Enter observations, assessment, case notes, screenings, parent teacher conferences and other required documentation. Follow up on child absences and record attendance when family service staff is not available (school vacations, illness, etc.)

Review all children’s files including medical information for health issues, i.e., allergies. Review and follow individual health plans

Follow the program’s child abuse and neglect and behavior management plan

Interact with children respectfully and affectionately, fostering positive self-concept and independence by promoting self-help and problem-solving utilizing goals from Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) as a guide

Support Lead Teacher in providing an environment in which children can learn and practice behaviors which are appropriate and acceptable individually and in a group by arranging furniture and equipment, and classroom materials to meet the changing needs of the children utilizing the Early Childhood and/or Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scales as a guide

Assist Lead Teacher to design and implement a developmentally appropriate, multi-cultural curriculum that maximizes each child’s opportunity for success utilizing Head Start Early Learning Frameworks, Program School Readiness Goals, Creative Curriculum Studies and Teaching Strategies Gold in planning to meet the standards

Recruits, guides and directs volunteers in cooperation with the Lead Teacher, to implement the daily program of activities, serving as a role model and giving appropriate feedback daily

Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to utilize space, material and routine as resources for constructing an interesting and safe environment that encourages exploration and learning indoors and out

Follow all health and safety requirements and regulations during diapering and toileting

Helps in housekeeping tasks, food preparation adhering to Child Care Food Program guidelines, clean-up, and helps arrange for substitutes when necessary.

Records and submits records of all volunteer hours and in-kind donations

Maintains an open, friendly and informative relationship with each child’s family, encouraging its involvement in the program

Collaborates with Lead Teacher to complete two home visits per year

Participates in staff meetings with classroom team to share and discuss relevant information about children, families and classroom operations

Check and respond to Agency email on a regular basis

Collaborates with other classrooms to promote program goals and objectives

Assumes responsibility for daily program in Lead Teacher’s absence. Works independently and manages time effectively to ensure a well-run classroom

Participate in at least 20 hours of training per year to comply with EEC, QRIS, Head Start and CACFP trainings. Enter all training/course work into the EEC Professional Qualifications Registry (P.Q.R.)

Have a good working knowledge of MOC policies and procedures, Head Start Early Head Start and EEC licensing regulations

Other duties as assigned within scope.

Required Qualifications and Skills

High School Diploma or GED

Enroll in a CDA (for appropriate age group) or a degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related field to be completed within two years

Obtain EEC Teacher Certification as requirements are met

Access to reliable transportation

Dependable and Flexible

Able to maintain confidentiality

Ability to work with other adults and children

Ability to follow directions

Exhibit cultural sensitivity

Bi-lingual staff must be able to speak, write and read in two languages, and assist with translations as necessary.

Fulfillment of all specific health and safety requirements (staff physical every 2 years, with evidence of Montoux and MMR test, OSHA, first aid and CPR)

Must have a suitable Background Record Check (BRC) such as the Massachusetts CORI

Job site/assignment may change based upon program needs

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift children and/or work-related equipment up to 40 pounds, bend, walk and climb stairs

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Compensation A salary within the range of $22.49 to $38.29 per hour will be provided to the successful candidate having met the minimum requirements for the position consistent with MOC’s compensation philosophy. The candidate’s exact placement will be determined based on factors consistent with MOC’s compensation framework. MOC offers a competitive benefits package including:

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Company Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Accounts

15 Paid Vacation Days

12 Paid Sick Days

13 Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Opportunities

Student Loan Forgiveness Assistance

Tuition Remission

Pet Insurance

Employee Discounts

Professional Development Opportunities

On-Demand early pay access

Immediate 403b Employer Contribution, 100% Vesting on Day One!

EEO Statement Making Opportunity Count is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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