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Section I: Position Details
Job Opening Date: July 22, 2026
Job Status: This position is seasonal full-time. HRDC also offers flexible schedules and a "reduced work week", which encourages full-time staff to use up to 4 paid hours weekly for their personal wellness.
Wage: $26.50 - $27.50/hour
Location: Belgrade Head Start Center
Seasonal Schedule: The following breaks are built into the school schedule: Approximately 2 ½ months for summer break, 2 weeks for winter break, & 1 week for spring break.
General Summary of Purpose of this Position:
The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing a high-quality early childhood education program that promotes children's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. The Lead Teacher creates a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment; provides leadership to classroom staff; partners with families to support children's growth; and ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, and program policies.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Instructional Responsibilities & Classroom Leadership (60%)
Plans, implements, and evaluates developmentally appropriate individual, small-group, and large-group learning experiences that promote children's cognitive, language and literacy, social-emotional, physical, and approaches to learning development in alignment with the program's curriculum, school readiness goals, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
Creates a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment that supports active learning, exploration, creativity, and positive relationships.
Individualizes instruction using ongoing child assessment data to meet the strengths, interests, and developmental needs of each child, including children with disabilities, suspected delays, and dual language learners.
Integrates intentional teaching strategies, play-based learning, and responsive interactions throughout daily routines and classroom activities.
Supports children's development of independence, self-help skills, self-regulation, and positive social behaviors, including personal hygiene, dressing, cleaning up materials, and caring for classroom belongings.
Implements daily schedules that provide an appropriate balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities, active and quiet learning experiences, and indoor and outdoor play to support healthy development.
Promotes healthy habits, physical activity, nutrition education, and wellness practices consistent with program policies and efforts to prevent childhood obesity.
Ensures classroom materials, activities, and interactions are culturally, linguistically, and developmentally responsive and reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of enrolled children and families.
Uses positive behavior supports and effective classroom management strategies to foster a respectful, inclusive, and emotionally supportive learning environment.
Maintains a classroom environment that meets all health, safety, supervision, and licensing requirements while supporting children's learning and well-being.
Provides leadership and direction within the assigned classroom by fostering a positive, collaborative, and effective teaching team through open communication, shared decision-making, teamwork among classroom staff and volunteers.
Supports continuous quality improvement through participation in observations, feedback processes, self-reflection, and program evaluation activities.
2. Educational Development, Assessment and Family Partnerships (15%)
Establishes collaborative partnerships with families to support each child's learning, development, and school readiness through ongoing communication, home visits, conferences, and goal setting.
Conducts ongoing observation and assessment of children's development; uses assessment data to individualize instruction, monitor progress, and support school readiness goals.
Collaborates with program staff, school district personnel, and other specialists to develop and implement individualized plans and provide appropriate support for children and families.
Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential physical and electronic records, including assessments, child goals, family contacts, home visits, conferences, and other required program documentation.
3. Recordkeeping (10%)
Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential program documentation required for the classroom and assigned role, including lesson plans, child records, attendance, family engagement documentation, home visits, parent conferences, in-kind records, and other required forms.
Collaborates with the Assistant Teacher and classroom team to ensure documentation is complete, up-to-date, and submitted according to program timelines and procedures.
4. Professional Development, Health & Safety (10%)
Participates in required training, professional development opportunities, and continuing education activities to maintain knowledge, skills, credentials, and licensure requirements.
Maintains required professional documentation, including annual registration and updates with the Montana Early Care and Education Practitioner Registry.
Follows program nutrition policies and Family Style Dining practices, including supporting children's healthy eating habits, proper food handling, meal service, and maintaining clean food preparation and serving areas.
Ensures classroom spaces, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean, safe, and developmentally appropriate condition.
5. Corporate Participation (5%)
Attend all organizational team meetings
Read the weekly news to stay informed
Participate in trainings and wellness days when available
Conduct respectful, professional, and effective conversations with customers and volunteers regarding behavioral expectations, program compliance, and HRDC property standards.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, or a related field required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if it meets Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable state requirements.
Experience:
Minimum of two years of experience working in early childhood education, preferably in a preschool setting.
Experience providing classroom leadership, mentoring, or guidance to teaching staff, volunteers, or classroom partners preferred.
Experience working collaboratively with children and families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds, including families experiencing poverty or other barriers.
Experience working in Head Start or a similar comprehensive early childhood program preferred.
Supervision Received:
This position works under the supervision of the Site Supervisor and is responsible for independent judgment in prioritizing work and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with program policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
This position supervises the following position(s):
N/A – This position does not have formal supervisory responsibilities. The Lead Teacher provides classroom leadership, collaboration, and guidance to classroom staff, volunteers, and partners to support effective implementation of program services.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to analyze information, prepare reports, and present information to staff, families, and community partners
Ability to read, interpret, and apply regulations, policies, procedures, and program standards
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify issues and develop practical solutions in a dynamic environment
Ability to collect, interpret, and use program data to support decision-making and compliance
Proficiency with standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, email) and electronic data systems (e.g., ChildPlus) for recordkeeping and reporting
Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and prioritize multiple responsibilities
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds
Ability to maintain confidentiality and respond professionally to sensitive situations involving children, families, and staff
Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and respond appropriately in crisis or urgent situations
Willingness to travel within the service area and attend required training
Regulatory Knowledge:
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Head Start Program Performance Standards, IDEA/ADA, child care licensing requirements, CACFP, and child abuse reporting laws.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Valid Montana driver's license (or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe, if required for the position).
Current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the timeframe established by the agency.
Ability to meet pre-employment and ongoing health requirements in accordance with Head Start, state licensing, and agency policies.
Successful completion and maintenance of all required criminal background checks, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and other required clearances in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing, and agency policies.
Current registration with the Montana Early childhood Practitioner Registry (or ability to obtain upon hire).
Program Philosophy and Service Delivery:
Emphasizes empowerment, autonomy, and accountability in all interactions.
Supports individuals in developing personal plans for belonging, well-being, meaning, and purpose.
Demonstrates respect, empathy, and professionalism in all customer and partner interactions.
Cultural Responsiveness and Respectful Services:
Demonstrates respect and responsiveness when working with children, families, colleagues, and community partners from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds.
Delivers services in a manner that is welcoming, respectful, and responsive to the strengths, needs, and preferences of each child and family.
Supports children's safety, well-being, and positive relationships while ensuring all eligible families have access to program services and community resources.
Confidentiality:
This position requires regular handling of sensitive and confidential client and agency information. Unauthorized disclosure could harm client interests and the organization, and may also violate state and federal privacy laws. This position may have access to reports, records, and personnel files, and must exercise the highest level of discretion, judgment, and confidentiality at all times.
Working Conditions:
This position is primarily based in an early childhood classroom and requires daily interaction with children, families, and staff in both indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Regular exposure to staff, children and families.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Assigned duties and responsibilities may be added, removed, or changed at any time as organizational needs evolve.
