Assistant Preschool Teacher

About the role

The Assistant Preschool Teacher works closely with the Head Teacher to support the Reggio-Emilia approach in order to implement developmentally appropriate practice and learning theory. The position includes the daily care of children, documentation of student learning, care of the environment, and collaboration with preschool team members.

Responsibilities

• Share in the team responsibility of supervising the children.
• In the absence of the Head Teacher, take the lead in maintaining a safe environment by managing the children.
• Maintain an emotionally and physically safe learning environment. This applies to the classroom setting, outdoors, and the play structure.
• Work collaboratively with the Pedagogista, Atelierista, and Head Teacher to support the documentation of the learning process in the following ways:
• Collect video, digital stills, audio, and actual student work.
• Contribute to the analysis of documentation;
• Transcribe audio from class discussions, small group interactions, and one-on-one student discussions with a teacher;
• Organize and photocopy student work for documentation purposes;
• Assist in the planning and creation of documentation panels, photo galleries on the school website, and other public displays.
• Manage digital equipment used for documentation: camera, video, voice recorder, laptop, desk computer, iPods, etc. so that equipment is ready for daily use.
• Change batteries as needed, download memory cards, etc.
• Set up the learning space, per the Head Teacher or Pedagogists’ directions, so that the setting is ready prior to the children’s entry into the classroom at the start of the day, including the appropriate sanitation of all play and work materials.
• Maintain the aesthetic quality of the classroom environment.
• Work collaboratively with the preschool and elementary faculty on the educational program, school initiatives, special events, and ad hoc committees.
• Participate in all professional learning opportunities relevant to the Reggio Approach, inquiry learning, and schoolwide initiatives.
• Perform various school and instructional tasks assigned by the elementary principal.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and collaborative professional relationship with students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
• Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
• Comply with the instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures.
• Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health and that of others.
• Report any injury, hazard, or illness immediately to their Supervisor and Human Resources.
• Not place others at risk by any act or omission, and not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, with a major in education with a specialization in early learning, child development, special education, Family Resources, or related field.
• A minimum of three years teaching in an early learning setting.
• Experience working within a collaborative environment.
• Experience working with young children is highly preferred; experience in a Reggio-inspired program is highly valued.
• Must possess and be able to apply his/her knowledge and understanding of progressive education concepts as they relate to preschool and elementary students and incorporate 21st-century skills and concepts into daily interactions with young children.
• Must understand the developmental phases (physical, cognitive, social, emotional) of young children and have experience communicating with parents to resolve student concerns.
• Must be computer proficient with various programs (e.g., IOS, Excel, apps).
• Mid-Pacific has a Mac-driven platform.

Skills

• Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret documents such as educational research, reports, and policies.
• Ability to write educational reports, memos, and letters, and communicate effectively when speaking to students and adult audiences, via email and other tech-based forms of communication.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply conventional English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Benefits

Mid-Pacific Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Pay

SALARY RANGE: $34,892 - $50,211 Annually based on degree and student contact hours

Schedule

Regular and predictable attendance at work.

School Safety

• Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
• Comply with the instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures.
• Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health and that of others.
• Report any injury, hazard, or illness immediately, to their Supervisor and Human Resources.
• Not place others at risk by any act or omission, and not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mid-Pacific Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.