Early Learning Center Team Teacher

The ELC Team Teacher is responsible for planning and providing high quality educational experiences for a toddler or preschool classroom in the Early Learning Center at the Samish Longhouse, in accordance with Washington State licensing WACs, Childcare Development Fund (CCDF) regulations, and internally developed standards. Recognizing parents as the primary educator of their children, the ELC Lead Teacher involves parents with all aspects of center planning and activities. The position is responsible for direct oversight of any assistants, aides, or volunteers while working in their classroom and communication of any staffing concerns to the Director. 
 
Principal Duties: 

1. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of child development, classroom management, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and language/literacy development. Planned activities and experiences should be developmentally appropriate, engaging, exploratory, and in line with the early childhood philosophy of the program
2. Maintains an understanding of licensing WACs and supports the center by understanding the importance of all regulations, implementing systems to comply with all regulations, and striving for full compliance every da
3. Establishes a successful classroom environment including room arrangement with proper zoning, child-accessible materials to include sensory, open-ended, creative, and exploratory materials, and orderly set up/clean up system, a visual schedule of daily activities, meaningful child work on display throughout the classroom, and a focus on natural elements, calming décor, and cultural relevance
4. Maintains responsibility for classroom documentation and implementation of individualization to include regular child observations, portfolios of developmental progress, individualized learning plans, lesson planning, and regular, ongoing assessments. If applicable, guides Assistant in assisting with these efforts
5. Establishes supportive relationships with all families. Demonstrates the importance of parent involvement in the child’s learning process. Plans and implements parent activities and opportunities for involvement in culturally relevant and anti-bias classroom curriculum, reflective of the families enrolled in the center
6. Helps children engage in meaningful interactions with teachers and peers, providing conversational feedback loops, language modeling, and high quality, effective interactions throughout the day
7. Provides positive guidance to children using successful classroom management practices and demonstrates clear limits and expectations using developmentally appropriate practices
8. Eats with and assists children in the development of individual skills and sound nutritional practices during family-style meal service
9. Oversees record-keeping and child files maintenance, maintaining compliance with the policies and procedures of the program, including attendance sheets, meal counts, health checks, etc.
10. When applicable, provides guidance to other staff, interns, or volunteers, including work assignments, checking accuracy of work, and offering positive and corrective feedback, as well as giving input to the Director for their performance evaluations
11. Participates in staffing, when applicable, with the Program Director, school district and other agencies representing the child’s educational experiences or early intervention plans
12. Uses the playground, field trips, and outdoor activities as extensions of the classroom with engaging interactions and experiences, while ensuring safety of children at all times in accordance with program procedures
13. Maintains confidentiality for all children, families, and staff. Exercises appropriate discretion in information sharing with other staff as it applies to job responsibilities on a need-to-know basis
14. Attends training opportunities as relevant to staff development plans, maintain current certification for First Aid, CPR, Food Handler’s Permit, and comply with CPS reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect
15. Works in a friendly and respectful manner with all staff to create and foster a team environment
16. Performs other duties as assigned 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position. 
 
Required Qualifications:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age
2. Completed a high school education or equivalent and complete 30hrs Basic STARS course and 10 STARS hours of continuing education each year
3. Minimum of two years’ experience working with children and families in a culturally diverse setting
4. Must have strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills
5. Able to carry forty pounds without difficulty, sit in a child-sized chair, move quickly from multiple positions and levels, ride on a bus
6. Must obtain First Aid and CPR certifications within 30 days of hire
7. Must have initial TB test, and be free from communicable disease
8. Must possess current Food Handlers Permit before employment
9. Must pass state, federal, and Department of Early Learning fingerprinting and background checks

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. AA Degree in Early Childhood Education
2. 30 credits in ECE or a CDA 

**Obtaining full COVID-19 vaccination no later than 60 days from the hire date will be a condition of employment for all Samish employees**

This program participates in Early Achievers.