Little Acorn Christian Preschool Hiring for Lead Preschool Teacher Job at Mountain View, CA Full Time

About Little Acorn:

Little Acorn Christian Preschool is committed to building a better tomorrow by investing in the lives of children today. Children are valued as citizens of right now, and the architects of their own learning. Our commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in our emergent, play-based, curriculum that is co-created by the children and educators. Our educators are also involved in their ongoing learnings; studying child development, theories, and new research that influences, inspires, and guides their practice. We serve families that reflect the diversity that Mountain View has to offer and strive to give back to the community in various ways.

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Responsibilities:

Organization

• Collaborate to establish a vision and mission for LACP based on clear values and academic knowledge of child development and early childhood education

• Contribute to development and continuity in program-wide procedures

• Do your part in creating a culture of transparency, communication, and collaboration throughout the organization

Classroom

• Create a safe, engaging, and intentional learning environment for all children in your classroom

• Plan daily morning meetings and regular small group experiences based on observed child interests, using an emergent curriculum

• Work together in developing knowledge of best practices and encourage Classroom and Associate teachers to maintain a strength-based image of the child and a collaborative and reflective stance toward teaching

• Communicate with families daily using the Brightwheel app

• Mentor Associate teachers in planning and providing an engaging early childhood education program based on an emergent curriculum model

• Collaborate with Classroom teachers to create systems within the classroom. i.e. diapering, parent communication, drop-off, small groups

• Conduct periodic evaluations and reviews of Associate teachers

• Coach Associate teachers, building their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and emergent curriculum

• Contribute to making the children’s learning visible through the documentation and assessment process

• Attend all parent-teacher conferences for your classroom

Families

• Create classroom specific documentation that makes learning visible to families and the community at large

• Have daily communication with the families in person and/or via the Brightwheel app

• Work with directors and families to create a monthly community newsletter

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The critical features of the role are described above but are not all-encompassing; as we weather the pandemic and get closer to moving out of it we also expect some responsibilities to shift accordingly
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Qualifications Requirements:

• You have a high level of commitment to inclusive classrooms and serving children and their families

• You hold a high image of the child, and celebrate their strengths and capabilities

• You have high-level interpersonal skills for communicating with children, staff, and families

• You have an exemplary ability to interact with and guide young children

• You have experience managing a teaching team and supporting teachers in growing in their practice

• You have effective written and verbal communication skills

• You listen actively, reflect and provide meaningful and thoughtful feedback

• You have a flexible and positive approach to feedback

• You are proactive in problem-solving and can solve problems independently and through collaboration

• You can comfortably address emotions in the workplace and model emotional stability

• You are sensitive and responsive to the needs of children, families, and teachers

• You can comfortably work independently, within changing circumstances

• You approach the current COVID-19 pandemic with a measure of caution, being aware of individual responses and reflective of your own

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Also Important:

• You are passionate about the field of Early Childhood Education

• You are excited about supporting each classrooms study of emergent curriculum work, to support in-depth studies

• You can be flexible with work hours, understanding that LACP is a small non-profit, undergoing growth, and we are living through unprecedented times due to the pandemic

• You pursue ongoing personal, and professional growth opportunities

• You show strong personal health practices to model for co-teachers and families

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Equipment and Programs to Be Used:

• Desktop computer and tablet

• Google Workspace: Gmail, drive, slides, calendar

• Brightwheel

• Some kitchen equipment

• Variety of indoor and outdoor materials for children and teaching in early education programs

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Physical Requirements:

• Bend, kneel and otherwise interact with small children; be able to spend time on bent knees to bring yourself to the child’s eye level

• Sit on the floor with children

• Lift equipment up to 20lbs and hold children up to 40lbs

• Able to stand or squat while supervising children, inside or outside, in challenging weather conditions– we spend at least 50% of our time outdoors

• Maintain stamina for long days with children, families, and staff

• Able and willing to clean, garden, and perform other tasks to contribute to maintaining a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment for children, families, and staff

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Working and Environment Conditions:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in children’s play areas – including during cold or rainy weather

• Works both in the office as well as in the classrooms

• Regular exposure to children’s illnesses

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Education/Certification Requirements:

• California Child Development Teacher Permit minimum required or in progress; Master Teacher permit preferred

• Minimum 3 Infant Toddler Specific Credit Hours

• Familiarity with Community Care Licensing, child development, pedagogy, and emergent curriculum model

• Certified in CPR and First Aid for young children, or the ability to become certified

• Successfully pass a physical exam, including a TB test

• Complete/pass livescan fingerprint screening

• Participate in and seek out ongoing professional development opportunities

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 – $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Mountain View, CA 94040: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• Child Development Associate Certification (12+ credit hours) (Required)

Work Location: One location