Neighborhood House·Portland, Oregon
The Head Teacher leads a teaching team to foster a positive classroom environment using PBIS strategies and implements the Creative Curriculum to support student development. They are responsible for classroom management, conducting developmental assessments, and maintaining strong communication with families.
Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive.
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.
Classroom: Preschool (ages 3-5)
$24.93 To $26.31 Hourly
Status: 40 hours per week (benefits eligible), part-year position with an unpaid 9-week summer break
Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes families as the child’s primary teachers in a co-operative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, with 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.
This position will lead their teaching team in fostering a positive classroom climate through the utilization of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) strategies to guide classroom management, while effectively implementing Creative Curriculum to support student’s learning and healthy development while applying data from research-based child assessment tools to individualize children’s learning experiences. This position oversees all aspects of the classroom management including assuring that all staff are adhering to the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care licensing requirements and Head Start Performance Standards with day-to-day supervision from Early Childhood Site Supervisor.
Job duties & responsibilities
Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to classroom staff.
Model best practices in early childhood education and encourage professional growth and development among team members.
Conduct monthly collaborative team meetings to discuss classroom operations, environment, team goals, and outcomes.
Establish and uphold a positive classroom climate utilizing the PBIS framework.
Ensure the safety and well-being of children and staff while maintaining an environment conducive to learning.
Supervise all students actively to ensure their mental, physical, and emotional safety.
Take necessary precautions to safeguard students, staff, and facilities both indoors and outdoors.
Ensure the organization of classroom supplies and learning materials for accessibility and engagement.
Maintain a consistent routine comprising various activities to promote holistic child development.
Foster exploration, problem-solving, and positive socialization through thoughtful classroom arrangement.
Engage actively in child-led play and meaningful conversations to support individual development.
Leverage mealtimes and outdoor activities to reinforce positive social skills and healthy habits.
Assist with daily tasks such as setup, cleanup, diaper changes, and potty training according to protocols.
Ensure adherence to positive behavior management and safety procedures among all staff.
Develop and execute developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with program goals.
Incorporate individualized learning goals into lesson planning based on assessment outcomes.
Conduct developmental screenings and assessments, interpreting results for tailored educational strategies.
Collaborate with families to ensure continuity between home and classroom learning experiences.
Facilitate parent-teacher conferences and home visits to support individualized learning plans.
Educate families on kindergarten readiness and transition strategies.
Regularly communicate with families regarding child progress and developmental screenings.
Lead weekly meetings with classroom team.
Participate in interdisciplinary meetings to plan integrated services and identify additional support.
Utilize program data to enhance child, family, and program outcomes.
Meet monthly with supervisor for reflective supervision, regular self-assessment of job performance and to track goals and work.
Attend all programmatic all-staff meetings and trainings and Neighborhood House all staff meetings when able
Participate in program and agency committees when available.
Participate in the program’s annual self-assessment as required.
Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of workspace and communal areas, as needed, and/or assigned.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.
This position will not supervise.
Knowledge of early childhood development and general principles of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate, child-led, multi-cultural, anti-bias curriculum for children under the age of 5, is required.
A minimum of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) Infant/Toddler is required and two years' experience working with children ages 0-3 or equivalent qualifications placing the candidate at a step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) and three years’ experience working with children ages 0-3.
Associate’s in Early Childhood Education (ECE) preferred or equivalent qualifications placing the candidate at a step 9 or higher on the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) and one year of experience working with children 0-3.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to high noise levels typical of a classroom environment.
Market context
In Oregon, classroom teacher openings often draw candidates with childcare, tutoring, or youth-program experience, and employers may favor applicants who can show strong classroom management and child-centered communication. These roles can be competitive because schedules, advancement paths, and childcare-related benefits matter alongside pay. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then tailor your application to highlight any licensed childcare experience and your motivation for working with children.