Per Diem Teacher

Per Diem Teacher
- Early Education (Head Start / Early Head Start / All Classrooms)

• Approved Salary: $18.00-$36.00/hr, commensurate with education, experience, and certification
• Schedule:
  
  Per diem, as needed, Monday
  - Friday; typical classroom hours 8:15am to 3:45pm, subject to classroom and program needs

Summary/Objective
The Per Diem Teacher provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that promotes the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children enrolled in The Dimock Center's early education programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start. This position covers teacher absences and vacancies as needed and may be assigned to any classroom or program within the Child & Family Services Division.

Working collaboratively with families, teaching staff, and interdisciplinary team members, the Per Diem Teacher implements developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) standards, and program goals. The Per Diem Teacher helps maintain an inclusive, culturally responsive classroom that supports school readiness and strong family partnerships, and ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, EEC regulations, CACFP requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

• Provide teaching coverage in any classroom or program as assigned, adapting quickly to different age groups, classroom routines, and team needs.
• Implement the classroom's developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson plans to promote children's school readiness across all developmental domains.
• Create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment that supports children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
• Ensure active supervision of children at all times and maintain a clean, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Integrate the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence into daily classroom routines and interactions.
• Support children with diverse learning needs, including dual language learners and children with disabilities, through inclusive instructional practices.
• Use observation, assessment data, and family input to support each child's learning and development, and contribute to developmental screenings and child assessments as requested.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation including attendance, meal counts, incident reports, and other required records.
• Notify the classroom teacher and supervisor of developmental, health, or safety concerns so referrals and follow-up can occur.
• Develop positive, respectful communication with families that promotes children's learning and well-being.
• Provide guidance and support to Assistant Teachers, substitutes, volunteers, and classroom aides when serving in a lead teacher capacity.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and positive classroom team environment.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Massachusetts EEC regulations, CACFP requirements, and The Dimock Center policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and program information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Participate in required training and professional development activities.
• Serve as a mandated reporter and immediately report suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with state law.
• Demonstrate professionalism through dependable attendance, effective communication, ethical conduct, and adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of child development, early childhood education principles, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and Massachusetts EEC regulations.
• Strong classroom management and positive behavior support skills.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work across classrooms, age groups, and teaching teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and family-centered practice.

• Proficiency with technology and electronic documentation systems.

Work Environment
This position works in early education classrooms, including infant,…