Afterschool Head Teacher

and the job listing Expires on January 14, 2026

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school‑aged children to homeless families, from non‑profit organizations to local employers.

Under the supervision of the After school Manager, the Head Teacher will:

• Have a working knowledge of EEC licensing regulations and adhere to those regulations as well as DHSP policies and procedures.
• Design a developmentally sound curriculum to enhance the social, physical, academic, and intellectual wellbeing of children in their care. Curriculum should emphasize the development of social skills, increase children’s self‑esteem, recognize the children’s interests, and build a sense of community within the group.
• Plan and implement activities to achieve curriculum goals in an informal, secure, and loving atmosphere appropriate to after‑school hours.
• Respond to children’s academic needs by providing homework help and linking school‑age curriculum to day school curriculum whenever possible.
• Design and arrange classroom space to allow for a variety of activities that promote children’s independence.
• Supervise Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and any other support staff. Conduct weekly team meetings for planning and supervision and keep logs of such meetings. Conduct regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings and provide ongoing support and direction to staff.
• Ensure that you and your teachers are creating links with school day teachers and administrators regarding children’s academic, social, educational, and physical needs.
• Perform regular school day classroom observations and complete written progress reports for each child twice yearly.
• Create opportunities for collaborations/partnerships with other Department of Human Service Programs’ youth serving divisions in order to better serve Cambridge children and families.
• Maintain regular communications with parents through daily contacts and conversation and periodic parent meetings/conferences. Solicit parent input on their child in order to individualize behavioral and instructional approaches. Host three parent nights per school year.
• Complete and submit to After school Manager for approval, prior to distribution of monthly program calendars, monthly parent newsletter, and parent notices.
• Maintain a neat classroom environment, including daily cleaning of the classroom (sweeping, vacuuming, mopping of spills, etc. and periodic major clean up). Build in children’s regular participation in the cleanup and maintenance of the classroom into the program structure.
• Do a general safety check of the facility daily including locking doors and setting alarm (if necessary).
• Maintain a safe classroom environment, free from hazardous materials or equipment. Inform the After school Manager when repairs are needed.
• Participate in meetings called by Division Head or After school Manager such as curriculum meetings, training workshops, policy review sessions or required DHSP orientation training.
• Participate in other available workshops and training programs as schedule permits.
• Participate in program‑related meetings: parent meetings, meeting with After school Manager, meetings with program consultants.
• Participate in and help to lead ongoing program quality improvement efforts, including classroom observations, debriefs of observations, action planning, and participation in a peer learning community.
• Participate in hiring and training new staff, when appropriate.
• Conduct onsite orientation for new staff.
• Plan and coordinate arrangements for field trips.
• Coordinate the pick‑up of children from bus stops, kindergarten classrooms, and/or other locations.
• Order food, plan and serve a nutritious afternoon snack each day. Prepare menus and documentation for the nutrition program, according to the Bureau of Nutrition guidelines.
• Perform written evaluations of Teacher, Assistant…