Head Preschool Teacher (Long-Term Substitute)

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nSalary: $45,000 - $65,000 annually Head Preschool Teacher (Long-Term Substitute) at The Schoolhouse Learning Center Are you looking for a teaching position where you can combine your love of children, nature, and hands-on learning? Do you enjoy hiking, exploring the outdoors, discovering brooks, bugs, frogs, plants, and hidden woodland spaces alongside young children? Are you passionate about gardening, baking, art, music, literacy, and supporting children's learning through play? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach in a progressive, independent school? If you answered "yes" to these questions, we'd love to hear from you! The Schoolhouse Learning Center is seeking a full time Long-Term Substitute Head Preschool Teacher to co-lead a classroom of primarily four-year-olds alongside a team of collaborative and dedicated teaching partners. This position has a high likelihood of continued employment following the substitute term. We are looking for an enthusiastic educator who values play-based, nature-based learning and is excited to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural world in young children. Qualifications Education and Training Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, School-Age Education, Science, Environmental Studies, Nature-Based Education, or a related field.* Candidates with degrees in science, environmental studies, nature-based education, or other related fields who do not have formal training in early childhood education may be considered if they have:A demonstrated track record of working successfully with children;A strong interest in nature-based and play-based education; andA commitment to completing any required coursework or training needed to meet Vermont Child Care Licensing requirements. Experience A minimum of two years of successful experience leading a classroom of young children as a Head Teacher or Lead Teacher, including curriculum development, implementation, and assessment. Skills and Professional QualitiesDemonstrated ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with children, families, and colleagues while fostering a strong classroom community.Proven leadership skills, including the ability to guide and support a teaching team, nurture children's growth and development, and contribute positively to the school community.Commitment to implementing the Story Time curriculum and philosophy while designing and adapting engaging learning experiences that reflect our nature-based, play-based approach.Ability to observe children's interests and developmental needs and use those observations to guide meaningful, child-centered learning opportunities.Enthusiasm for spending significant time outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.Commitment to ongoing professional growth, including completing a minimum of 15 hours of early childhood professional development annually and obtaining First Aid/CPR certification within the timeline required by Vermont Child Care Licensing regulations.Willingness to obtain a school bus endorsement for your driver's license.Please refer to Vermont Child Care Licensing regulations for a complete list of acceptable related fields. Examples include Child Development, Social Work, Environmental Studies, and other closely related disciplines. Job Description: JOB DESCRIPTION AND EXPECTATIONS Preschool HEAD TEACHER Classification: Regular, Exempt Supervised by: Preschool Co-Directors, Head of School or Designee The Schoolhouse holds high professional and ethical standards for all of its employees. Employees are expected to embrace, model and embody the Schoolhouse mission and the 5 Core concepts that guide the institution. Employees strive for joyful, transformative learning that cultivates students' natural curiosity, critical thinking skills, and compassion for others. Employees respect childrens individual differences, nurture their capacity for growth, and are committed to authenticity in the activities that shape their learning. Employees collaborate with colleagues, community members and caregivers who are responsible for all aspects of the students school experience. Attendance and Availability The employee will:work the number of academic and in-service days articulated in the official school calendar, as published annually by the Board, plus 5 or more non-holiday workdays before the first day of school and 5 non-holiday work days after the last day of school as assigned by the Head of School or her designee.work the number of hours per week determined by their supervisor, Preschool Co-Director or the Head of School, understanding that hours may change to meet the needs of the SCHOOL or the employee.devote a reasonable amount of time during the contract period to curriculum development and professional development outside of the school year calendar, including in the summer (as an exempt employee).arrive at the school ready to start at the appointed time and stay until their shift ends, and, as appropriate, stay until all students have been picked up and the facilities are orderlyexpect to spend time outside of school hours planning and organizing curriculum, communicating with parents, and attending school events (as an exempt employee)follow the established procedures for requesting and tracking PTO includingseeking approval in advance for planned days off and finding coverage for missed hoursnotifying the appropriate member of the administrative leadership team of an unplanned absence due to illness or an emergency as soon as possible but no later than 7:15 am.facilitate and/or attend the following (which may occur outside of normal school hours):staff and team meetingsfire and other drillsstaff in-service training daysopening and closing school functionsfamily events such as classroom potlucks, Season of Light, family days and End of Year celebrationsprofessional development, including the VTAECY Conference, as requestedcaregiver conferencesstudent activities and performancesother events or meetings as may be assigned from time to timeencourage Lead and Assistant teachers to attend school gatheringsuse program time effectively and give his/her full attention to the students during program hours by limiting non-student or non-developmental conversations with colleagues to the absolute minimumbe available to students and parents after hours, as needed (and within reasonable personal limitations) Professional Conduct The employee will:respect the rights and dignity of all members of the Schoolhouse community - students, colleagues, and caregivers.implement/model Schoolhouse values as understood in the Five Core Concepts: Responsibility, Respect, Trust, Sharing, and Belongingmodel self disciplined and ethical behaviorbe consistent and reliablecommit to ongoing professional growth and development includingestablishing annual professional goals with their supervisor (IPDP)participating in scheduled in-service meetings (or as requested by the Head of School)other professional development opportunities including but not limited to 15 hours a year.Attending the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children conference as requested by the Preschool Leadership Team. abide by policies outlined in the Schoolhouse Employee Handbook and Staff Policies and revised from time to timeexhibit enthusiasm for the school and the opportunities it providesmaintain a flexible and open attitudelimit personal business to non-school hours to the extent possibledress professionally and appropriately for their job duties Curriculum and Learning The employee will:maintain child/staff ratios and operate daily classroom in conformity with the State regulations for the physical safety and wellbeing of the children, families and staff.be responsible for the whole students experience, social, emotional and academic, (in all areas of development)take responsibility for class flow and scheduling, grouping of students and teachers according to skill level, one on one processing with children when needed, curriculum, transition times, meals, toileting, circle, trips and other activities.develop, plan and implement age-appropriate activities and curriculum for a multi-age nature and play based environment.provide a visual daily schedule for both children, families and staff that is consistent with the daily flow.edit/ update Story Time curriculum book.understand and implement the Vermont Early Learning Standards and The Common Core (as it relates to pre-schools)understand and implement Teaching Strategies Gold, ASQ and other student assessments and support outside and inside the classroom as requested by Preschool Leadership Team.understand age-appropriate expectations for children (academic and social)encourage play, nature exploration, emergent math and literacy with students in accordance with program philosophydevelop and promote each childs positive self-imageprovide a stimulating learning environment that encourages curiosity, inquiry, exploration, autonomy and independenceencourage exploration of how identity, and social and/or environmental justice, shape our world and connect the many areas of learning as part of a broad commitment to anti-racist and anti-bias educationexplicitly teach and support students in developing strong executive function, problem solving and communication skillsunderstand the needs of and differentiate instruction and activities for diverse learners including those with learning differences.communicate concerns about childrens development with supervisor and/or Preschool Leadership Team in a timely mannersubmit plans, records and reports as requested by Supervisor and/or Preschool Leadership Teamremain current on any changes in the field of early childhood education, nature-play based preschool education, and current child care program practice. Communication and Collaboration The employee will:afford colleagues, students and caregivers the opportunity to openly and honestly discuss concerns, differences and difficulties and seek meaningful resolution, using a strength based approach.. Seek support from ones supervisor if needed.communicate effectively and frequently with caregivers who are partners in their students education including (but not limited to):conversations before and after schoolemails, texts and phone callsa weekly program newslettercommunicate with prospective families and students to help them understand the school and its programsinform the Preschool Leadership Team and/or Head of School of concerns that arise in a timely fashionmaintain confidentiality of children, families and staff at all times. Child and Family The employee will:welcome and orient new parents and childrenupdating regular classroom blog/instagramseek to maintain positive relationships and daily communication with families.inform Preschool Leadership Team of observations or areas of concern.be familiar with and implement all Allergy Alert plans, illness alerts and asthma plans.maintain all medication logs and update medications for classrooms.write and send out weekly parent newsletters with updates about the current week and other important informationSet up Bi-annual parent conferences, including schedulingmaintain positive and timely e-mail communication with parents.actively make resources and information available to families.maintain Family Communication board with daily message, important information and documentation about childrens work (in the hallway)Work with Tutors, Specialist and School District representatives to support children and families with diverse learning needsfacilitate bi-annual curriculum meetings with families Program-Specific Oversight and Supervision The employee will work with the Preschool Leadership Team to:define program goals and oversee implementationbe responsible for the class culture as a whole and the whole experience for the classroomoversee staff breaks according to staff schedulegeneral staff supervision: oversee training hours, qualifications, IPDP, yearly review, ensure teacher files are being kept up to licensing standards (yearly file review as part of supervision). All supervision is from a strength-based perspective.ensure all preschool staff have a firm grounding in the Storytime and Schoolhouse philosophy, VELS and State Licensing Requirements. This requires periodic review with staff.Mentor and train lead and assistant teachers including but not limited to:providing frequent and direct feedback to ensure they are able to grow in their position.providing frequent reminders of classroom guidelines (supervisor will review this during the staff members orientation)ensuring that the flow of the day does not leave Assistant Teachers in charge of a large group or in a position to be the sole point of staff contact with parents. (ie beginning and end of day)ensuring that the flow of the day does not leave an assistant teacher alone with any small group that includes students we know need extra support and guidance except with the explicit agreement of the Co-Director.lead by example and be explicit in coaching the assistant teacher on the spot (ie did you see that I redirected that child by, gave the child a chance for a break,... )communicating with assistant teachers supervisor and co-directors about any concerns or compliments as requested or neededproviding feedback to the co-directors that can be included in staff evaluations, as requestedtrain subs and other staff members as requested.supervise and enforce daily proceduresprovide positive encouragement, constructive feedback and role modeling for program staffensure the program adheres to Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations and other applicable regulations, including staff members training hours and maintaining the programs STARS ratingrecruit, interview, mentor, train and supervise preschool staff when requestedreview preschool staff annual Individual Professional Development Plans when requestedplan for and participate in meetings and training opportunities for preschool staff.perform inventory and assist in purchasing of necessary supplies (including but not limited to: snack, crafts, equipment)research area programs to understand their offeringscommunicate with Business Manager about late pick ups, drop days, budget and program expenditures.communicate with Operations Manager about needs for the building and groundsshare responsibility to and leadership for the broader school community Other Expectations The employee will:ensure student safety above all else and understand The Schoolhouse policies to ensure student and community safetytrack student attendance in the manner and format requestedfile and maintain incident reportsbe aware of staff breaks and other scheduling needs (according to schedule that is maintained and posted by the Preschool Leadership Team).take responsibility for opening, setting up and closing classrooms at the end of the da