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Title/Position:
Substitute
Location:
Roxbury, MA
Reports to:
Operations Manager
FLSA Class, Status:
Part time/non-exempt
Position Grade:
Assistant/Substitute
Starting Hourly Range:
19.94-20.14
Date Written:
May 2024
Our Mission
Horizons for Homeless Children is a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. We help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Our advocacy efforts extend our impact and advance our vision of ending homelessness among families with young children.
Summary of Position
Substitutes are a crucial part of our teaching staff; this role is an as-needed, part-time, non-exempt position with oversight by the Assistant Director and reporting to the Operations Manager. Substitute Teachers are assigned to various classrooms (Infants-Preschool) as needed, and the assignment may change according to the Center’s need.
Substitute Teachers with Horizons are an integral part of our shared mission of helping children and their families and regularly:
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Collaborate with a talented, dedicated team of Early Childhood Professionals
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Teach with high teacher-to-student ratios in each classroom, ensuring that our children get the individualized attention they need.
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Develop their professional career through mentorship from Education Managers and teamwork with peers, in addition to participating in ongoing trainings in current topics in the field.
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Nurture and inspire children who need it most.
Responsibilities
Interact with Children
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Assist the Education Leader and Supervising Teacher by instructing and supervising children in classroom activities.
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Work with individual children or small groups of children to reinforce new skills initially introduced by the Supervising Teacher.
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Assist the Education Leader and Supervising Teacher in devising and implementing special strategies for reinforcing skills based on the individual needs and abilities of each child.
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Assist with critical daily activities such as classroom transition times, mealtimes, toileting, and/or diapering.
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Utilize appropriate language, interactions, and positive discipline.
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Model positive behavior.
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Support age-appropriate activities that meet the Head Start standards, the NAEYC standards, and Creative Curriculum.
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Assist with field trips or day trips such as neighborhood walks under the supervision of the Education Leader and/or Supervising Teacher.
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Continuously monitor children to ensure safety at all times.
Curriculum Preparation
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Assist Education Leader and/or Supervising Teacher to prepare activities that support lesson plans.
Documentation
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Assist in designing and completing documentation panels for the classrooms and hallways.
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Complete all necessary paperwork for classroom activities including meal count sheets, attendance, tracking sheets, and daily notes.
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Observe and document children’s behavior.
Classroom Maintenance
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Assist the teacher in the classroom with maintaining a clean and organized learning environment.
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Maintain a quality room arrangement in compliance with curriculum standards.
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Assist with routinely checking classroom equipment and materials to ensure they are in good repair.
Workspace
This is a part-time as needed position. The work you will perform is active, taking place in a classroom setting, working alongside others.
There is a large staff room with indoor and outdoor space for breaks as well as a designated quiet room. Our beautiful office space is located: Edgerley Family Horizons Center at 1785 Columbus Ave, Roxbury, MA.
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local and company policy concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, Background record check and health and safety training.
Wellbeing and Belonging
The equitable world has always been at the center of Horizons’ mission, but in the last several years we’ve recommitted to the role Horizons plays in rectifying some of the problems we see and wish to address. Visit our Commitment to Workforce DEI page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons for Homeless Children.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
For more information about Horizons, please visit horizonschildren.org.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Education & experience
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Must be at least 18 years of age
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teacher qualified by Massachusetts Early Education and Care (EEC) is preferred but not required
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Certified in First Aid/CPR for children and infants and willing to maintain certification through professional development
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Cooperates successfully as a member of a team.
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Communicates effectively with others, including giving and receiving feedback on the quality of services.
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Meet any specific content area requirements.
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Ability to maintain confidentiality.
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Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with staff, consultants, and regulatory/funding representatives in a team-oriented environment.
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Capacity to assume responsibility for own professional development.
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Flexible, with the ability to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
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Must be flexible and willing to work between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm
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Able to lift 50 lbs.
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Priority will be given to individuals who have had previous experience working with homeless children and their families, especially in a NAEYC-accredited Early Childhood Education setting.
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Able to work effectively with adults and children with a demeanor that is appropriate sensitive and enthusiastic, showing a commitment to working with homeless families.
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Looking to grow a career in Early Education with Horizons using the resources and coaching available.
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Commitment to Horizons mission and ability to embody our core values (Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, and Passionate).
Skills Required
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Massachusetts Early Education and Care teacher qualification
- Certification in First Aid and CPR for children and infants
- Willingness to maintain First Aid and CPR certification through professional development
- Ability to work flexibly between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work effectively with children and adults in a demanding, stressful environment
- Effective communication, teamwork, confidentiality, and relationship-building skills
- Previous experience working with homeless children and families
- Experience in a NAEYC-accredited early childhood education setting
- Commitment to early education and the organization's mission and core values
- Compliance with immunization, employment physical or screening, background check, and health and safety requirements
What We Do
Thanks to our specially trained staff, whose efforts are supported and amplified by hundreds of committed volunteers and donors, Horizons provides hope and opportunity to the families we serve. Our four pillars of work include: Early Education Center: We operate one of the state’s top-ranked early education programs, which starts children along the path toward success at school. Playspace Program: We give children in shelters play experiences that let them be kids for a few hours each week. Family Partnerships Program: We give their parents a much-needed respite from the difficulties of homelessness, a shoulder to lean on, and practical guidance toward getting their lives back on track. Policy & Advocacy: We highlight the unique needs of homeless children and families to ensure they are consistent priorities among policymakers on local, state, and federal levels.
Why Work With Us
Every staff member at Horizons, no matter their function, makes a difference in the lives of young children and families experiencing homelessness. While our team includes members from different personal and professional backgrounds, at our core is early education and social work. We value collaboration, inclusion, and innovation.
