Preschool Teacher

Title/Position:

Teacher

Location:

Roxbury, MA

Reports to:

Supervising Teacher

FLSA Class, Status:

[Full time/Exempt]

Position Grade:

Coordinator I

Starting Salary Range:

63,000-66,974

Date Written:

November 2025

Horizons is offering a $4,000 Hiring Bonus for EEC Certified Teachers

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

At Horizons for Homeless Children, we provide full-time early education to children experiencing homelessness. A Teacher is responsible for the supervision of children in their classroom as well as the implementation of a daily curriculum that promotes learning while engaged in fun and age-appropriate activities. A Teacher reviews important decisions with their Supervising Teachers and follows Horizons for Homeless Children’s policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Curriculum

• Display knowledge of early childhood development.

• Contribute to the design and implementation of a dynamic, creative, age-appropriate, and multi-cultural curriculum.

• Practice positive behavior management techniques in guiding children’s behavior.

• Inform parents of classroom curriculum plans (e.g., posting lesson plans).

Professional Development

• Maintaining an accurate and up to date PQ registry

• Maintaining the required 20 hours of professional Development annually

Communication

• Communicate with children in a positive way that demonstrates genuine interest and respect and exhibits sensitivity to children as individuals.

• Communicate positively with parents daily to inform them of their child’s ongoing development and activities.

• Assist in the design and implementation of other classroom parent communication systems (i.e. bulletin boards, monthly newsletters, etc.).

• Complete children’s progress reports and participate in parent conferences.

• Assist in plans for and attending Parent-Teacher functions.

• Communicate openly and effectively with the classroom team, including participating in weekly team meetings.

• Work closely with Family Advocates to promote healthy family relationships.

Classroom Management

• Maintain appropriate standards of health and safety in accordance with state regulations and Horizons for Homeless Children policies and procedures.

• Understand and implement emergency procedures.

• Organize classroom schedules to allow for child initiated and teacher directed activities as well as individual and small group learning.

• Coordinate transitions for children to and from classrooms.

• Ensure that classroom equipment is in good repair and inform Lead Teacher when supplies are low.

• Submit all records and reports in a timely and accurate manner including attendance sheets, accident reports, progress reports, and time sheets.

Workspace

This is a 40-hour, full-time position. The work you will perform is active taking place in a classroom setting, working alongside others.

You can expect to work onsite 5 days a week (M-F). 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.

Starting salary range, compensation, and benefits

$63,000-$66,974 is the starting salary range for this specialist role. Your starting salary will fall within that range depending on your competencies, experience, and skillset.

Your total compensation package includes the following benefits:

Health coverage options designed to be as comprehensive and affordable for you as possible, with Horizons covering between 70-75% of premiums (a value that ranges from an additional $10,000 -30,000 per year based on your enrollment choices).

While you have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan for medical coverage, most employees pay $117.77 for individual, $235.54 for 2-person, or $370.44 for family coverage per biweekly paycheck and never pay more than $300 for individual or $600 for 2-person/family toward deductibles.

Visit The Benefits of Working at Horizons for more details on the rest of our benefits package

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

We recognize the value of looking within to ensure our policies, practices, and culture are aligned with Horizons’ vision. Creating a more 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 DEI page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons.

As such, 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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to collaborate and solve problems using a team approach.

• Supervision skills that focus on strengths, mutual respect, consistent feedback, professional growth, and inclusion.

• Ability and willingness to handle all sensitive information confidentially.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

• Priority will be given to individuals who have had previous experience working with homeless children and their families, multi-ethnic urban families, or with children at risk.

• Basic computer skills and knowledge to effectively use MS Office applications and other relevant ECE software applications.

• Commitment to Horizons mission and ability to embody our core values (Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, and Passionate).

Education and Experience

• Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher Certification required.

• At least 9 months to 1 year or more of relevant work experience

• 12 ECE Credits minimum preferred for EHS and HS classrooms.

• Associate's and or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) or related field strongly preferred