Cooperative (Co) Teacher at The Village Preschool

About the role

The Co-Teacher, in collaboration with fellow educators, is responsible for the realization of the mission and core values of the Laughlin Children’s Center. The Co-Teacher will work 25-30 hours per week from mid-August through May, co-teaching one preschool class, one prekindergarten class, and providing support in a small-class setting.

Responsibilities

• Curate and facilitate engaging, play-based, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, exploration, problem-solving, and growth across developmental domains.
• Create a warm, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed learning environment featuring open-ended materials, sensory experiences, imaginative play, and extended opportunities for hands-on exploration, collaboration, and discovery.
• Foster a joyful and purposeful classroom culture where play, inquiry, and meaningful teaching practices support each child’s learning and development.
• Nurture the social-emotional, cognitive, physical, language, and behavioral development of each child through developmentally appropriate practices.
• Build strong, responsive relationships with children that foster safety, belonging, confidence, and independence.
• Differentiate instruction, support, and learning opportunities to meet individual developmental levels, learning styles, and needs.
• Promote positive social interactions, emotional regulation, and foundational school-readiness skills within the classroom community.
• Assess children’s progress and inform ongoing curriculum planning and instructional decisions through observation, documentation, and reflection.
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful, and collaborative partnerships with families.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding children’s growth, milestones, classroom experiences, and developmental progress.
• Collaborate closely with Laughlin colleagues, support staff, and community partners to ensure a consistent, supportive, and inclusive classroom experience for all children.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, and effective communication within the school community and with families and community partners.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field.
• PA Teaching Certification (Public or Non-public Private School – Nursery/Kindergarten).
• Required clearances: Federal Criminal History Check, FBI fingerprints, Pennsylvania Criminal History Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearances.
• Experience working with children 3 – 5 years old is preferred.
• Knowledge of child development and play-based learning approaches.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, stand, sit on the floor, couch, sit or kneel for extended periods.
• Capacity to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience.

Skills

• Play-based learning philosophy.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Outdoor work capacity.

Benefits

• Small class sizes.
• Collaborative, supportive team environment.
• Morning work schedule with flexible afternoons.
• Paid planning time.
• Compensated sick days (5 annually).
• Compensated for weather-related cancellations.

Pay

$19.00 per hour USD

Schedule

25-30 hours per week from mid-August through May.