Lead Teacher – Head Start, Preschool; Portland

Lead Teacher – Preschool (Portland Based) Head Start program

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Head Start Lead Teacher to join the Head Start team and make a difference in the lives of children and families in your community. The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments in center‑based settings and supervising assistant teachers and any additional classroom staff. The Lead Teacher implements child development programming to support the overall growth and development of children and families in accordance with the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards.

Full‑time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. School‑year schedule, not year‑round (approx. 36 weeks per year).

Location:

Portland, ME.

• Provide safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments in center‑based settings.
• Supervise assistant teachers and any additional classroom staff.
• Implement child development programming aligned with Head Start plans and standards.
• Support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5.
• Collaborate with families and staff to promote school readiness and overall development.

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with 12 infant/toddler credits, OR Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential, and an Associate degree in a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or social work preferred.
• 1–3 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• 2–4 years of center‑based teaching, early intervention, home visiting, or community‑based work related to infants/toddlers and their families preferred.
• Knowledge of the important role of culture in child & family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information and to address challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.

• Successful completion of a criminal background, child protective services check, and sex offender check.
• Not listed on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Must pass pre‑employment physical and TB screen.
• Must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Ability to exert significant physical effort, including frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing, and frequently lifting and carrying small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primary and essential job responsibility.

• Generous paid time off accrual.
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost.
• Dental and vision insurance options.
• Agency‑paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances.
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible).
• Tuition reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program qualification.

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