Head Start

Head Start Classrooms are hiring!

The Opportunity Alliance is seeking a Teacher Aide in Portland. Join the Head Start team and make a difference in the lives of children and families in your community.  

Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through high quality, culturally appropriate early care and education experiences. Classrooms implement a responsive curriculum with a strong focus on social-emotional well-being with a low teacher to child ratio to support growth and learning in all domains. Head Start centers families in their children’s education and care through meaningful engagement. All staff are supported to identify and work towards their professional goals through a combination of ongoing supervision, coaching and training.  

The Teacher Aide works collaboratively with the teaching team to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children ages 3 - 5 years. Classroom responsibilities include developing and maintaining respectful and trusting relationships with children, facilitating children’s involvement in learning activities, supporting children during important transitions and routines, and learning about and practicing effective behavior management techniques.  

Schedule: Full-time options; 30 - 40 hours per week

This is a year-round position.

Location: Portland, ME

Qualifications: 

• A high school diploma or equivalent or be attending high school or be enrolled in a GED preparation program or be enrolled in a CDA credential program (any one of these must be completed within 2 years of hire) required.
• 1 year of center-based teaching, early intervention, home visiting or community-based work related to early childhood education, preferred.
• Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Commitment to social justice and the mission of Head Start.
• Must be able to able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check and must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen and must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
• Must be able to exert significant physical effort with frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Driving or accessing other means of transportation may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings.