Preschool Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY

Preschool Teacher: The Grinnell College Preschool Laboratory provides a high-quality preschool program for the greater Grinnell community and a research space for Grinnell college students and faculty. Grinnell College Preschool partners with families to develop each child's optimal learning in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment, where children construct their own knowledge through play, build community, respect, diversity, solve problems, and develop school readiness skills.

Reporting to the Preschool's Director/Lead Teacher, the role of the Teacher is vital to the Preschool fulfilling its mission within the college and greater community. The ideal candidate will be passionate about early childhood education and be able to effectively customize, plan and implement a guided-play curriculum for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children. To be successful, this candidate will need to effectively communicate, partner, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and college students, with families of the enrolled preschool children, and with other members of the greater Grinnell community. The candidate will need to effectively supervise and mentor college student teaching assistants. The candidate will be responsible for completing school administrative tasks and ensuring that school is maintaining the health and safety standards as established by Grinnell College and the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and implement a customized curriculum based on the best practices established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Assess and report student progress
• Collaborate with preschool staff in planning and implementing the preschool program
• Supervise and mentor college student teaching assistants
• Facilitate activities of college students completing course assignments
• Complete administrative tasks as assigned by the preschool director

* 10-month schedule (August – May)

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE

Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Education or related field from four-year college or university
• Early Childhood Endorsement
• Demonstrated effective experience with teaching through guided play
• Ability to utilize interpersonal skills to collaborate across all levels of campus and community constituency
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and efficiently manage daily work demands
• Ability to adapt to the varying challenges within the work environment
• Ability to communicate effectively utilizing verbal and written modes of communications
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment
• Champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in early childhood education or a related field
• 2 years of experience planning and implementing an early childhood education program
• Experience implementing curriculum based on Iowa Early Learning Standards (IELS), Creative Curriculum (CC) and/or National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines.
• Must have or willing to meet Iowa Department of Human Services teacher licensing requirements, including but not limited to Iowa Teacher's License (can be obtained on the job), certification in CPR and First Aid (can be obtained on the job), and satisfactory criminal record check (obtained prior to employment)

Compensation: $53k-$55k annually