Preschool Lead Teacher

WPCS is a progressive parent-run cooperative preschool that engages children ages 2 through 5 in play-based, experiential learning. WPCS is primarily a parent-volunteer-run organization, and the Lead Teacher will be the primary teacher running the classroom for our day regular program. The Lead Teacher will report to our Director.

The Lead Teacher will collaborate with other teachers and parents to create opportunities for child-focused, child-led discoveries that support social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development via emergent curriculum. Teachers must be prepared to shift curricular plans to best scaffold students’ developing questions in meaningful ways.

All WPCS teachers must:

• Honor the individuality and full humanity of each student
• Meet each child where they are developmentally
• Respond thoughtfully to each child’s character traits and personality preferences
• Respect each child’s gender identity and expression
• Work to understand and support each child’s ability to communicate
• Help each child to face challenges inherent and unique to their development
• Commit to their own introspection and growth as educators
• Commit to their coworkers in developing honest, direct, and collaborative relationships
• Commit to the principles of anti-bias teaching and learning

Responsibilities:

• Plans developmentally appropriate curriculum to support free play and small- and large-group instruction, in cooperation with the parent curriculum committee
• Leads daily implementation of curriculum (lessons, activities, circle time, etc.) with other teachers and in-schooling parents
• Supervises and ensures high quality care for all children, including being responsible for every child’s physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being
• Manages up to 16 children with support of teachers
• Documents children’s work for parents via anecdotes and photographs
• Attends to the needs of our youngest students, including diapering and assistance with dressing
• Uses positive discipline and teaches developmentally appropriate conflict resolution skills
• Works as a cooperative team member on the teaching team
• Communicates regularly with the parents/guardians of students regarding their child’s development. This may include verbal check-ins at pick-up and drop-off, texting child-related updates, and participating in parent-teacher conferences.
• Conducts parent-teacher conferences twice per year
• Cleans, organizes, puts materials away, and maintains a functional workspace every day
• Other tasks as delegated by the Director

Every candidate must have:

• 2+ years experience working with children ages 2-5
• Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development
• Experience working in an educational setting, such as a school, daycare, or camp
• Love for young children

Ideal candidate has:

• Degree in early childhood education
• Knowledge of individualized approaches to early childhood education
• Knowledge of emergent curriculum
• Experience in or knowledge of special education
• Experience in or knowledge of cooperatives
• Experience in leading exploration for young children in nature/science, music, movement, pre-literacy skills and/or visual arts
• Experience and comfort utilizing or willingness to learn G-Suite, Google Drive, and Google calendar

Desired traits:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Capacity for small- and big-picture thinking
• Presence of mind coupled with strong multitasking ability

Additional requirements:

• Must be available Monday - Friday from 7:30am-3:30pm, plus 1 hour/week (flexible) for a staff meeting outside of school hours
• Must have current PA Child Abuse clearances, PA Criminal Background Check, FBI Fingerprinting, PA Mandated Reporter training, and NSOR
• Must be certified in infant/child CPR and first aid (or become certified within 3 months)
• Complete 6 CEUs within thirty days of hire
• Complete 12 hours of CEUs per academic year

WPCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to equity and diversity. We enthusiastically encourage applicants who are underrepresented in early childhood education, and welcome people of every race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or physical ability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person