Lead Early Childhood Teacher

Department

Wimpfheimer Nursery School

Job Family

Administrator

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Job Description

Schedule: Full-Time, Academic Year (44.5 weeks/year)

Position Summary:

As a Lead Teacher, you will develop, implement, and evaluate the classroom curriculum and be responsible for providing a high-quality educational program that reflects the goals of our laboratory nursery school for children ages 2-5. Lead teachers will exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills and collaborate with families, colleagues, therapists, and specialists, as well as support students and interns. Lead teachers must have knowledge applying a constructivist approach to learning with experience in play-based education and emergent curriculum design.

Lead teachers guide the school culture and mentor and supervise assistant teachers, student teachers, and interns. The ideal candidate will be able to articulate an early childhood educational philosophy and describe: the rights of children, the rationale for inquiry-based education, the value of play, the essential materials and classroom design for preschool, the significance of care rituals, and the importance of outdoor experiences.

Responsibilities:

Develop trusting relationships with children and families

Have a well-articulated philosophy regarding child social-emotional development, discipline, and guidance, and understand the principles of responsive caregiving

Plan and implement a daily curriculum in accordance with developmentally appropriate practices.

Meet with parents regularly, assess and document child progress

Organize and arrange the classroom environment and materials with care

Manage and lead reflective team meetings

Mentor and supervise others, and support a positive team teaching approach

Participate and help plan school events such as parent night and teacher reflections

Teach outside in all seasons and weather.

Participate in reflective practice, documentation, and ongoing professional growth opportunities

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Hold an AA degree in early childhood education while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or equivalent degree type that meets OCFS requirements for being a lead teacher.

Minimum 3 years of experience working within a team approach within a school or childcare center.

Ability to act as a leader in modeling collaborative communication, dialogue, and feedback for reflective teaching and mentoring in the classroom and throughout the school.

Demonstrated understanding and practice of the Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators (NAEYC) as guidelines for responsible and professional behavior with children, colleagues, employer, and families.

Ability to perform emotional labor for children who are discovering their feelings and navigating new social contexts, and care for children's physical needs.

Experience with guidance/social coaching and conflict resolution for young children.

Experience with child assessment and parent-teacher conferences.

A willingness to grow and increase knowledge in the field and seek innovative approaches.

Exhibit joy in working with children and families.

Embrace the school's mission and practice WNS values

Must be fingerprinted and cleared with a background check through the NY State Office of Children and Family Services.

Must be able to interact with children on their level; frequent bending, squatting, reaching, and sitting on the floor is expected as well as the ability to lift 30 pounds.

Must remain alert and productive for ongoing active supervision of children and must be able to see and hear children at all times.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

5 years of experience managing and leading a teaching team and mentoring others

Master's degree

Ability to take on multi-year projects, such as but not limited to curriculum leadership, professional development coordination, and committee work

Compensation:

The starting annual base salary range for this position is $41,000-$48,500

When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting