School Age Teacher

About the role

YWCA Tri-County Area is seeking dedicated individuals to serve as teachers in our STARS 4 Early Education Center in Pottstown. Our EEC vision is to create a community of learning where children experience a sense of wonder and exploration – where everyone feels a sense of connection and participates with others in ways that create new possibilities for making the world a better place.

Responsibilities

• Create, prepare, and organize engaging lesson plans that align with curriculum standards and support children's developmental goals.
• Actively supervise and ensure the safety of children during swimming activities and water play during summer camp sessions.
• Provide reliable break coverage across all age groups, adapting quickly to the specific routines and needs of infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age classrooms.
• Implement curriculum activities and encourage active participation by all children.
• Lead and engage in classroom activities while managing the cleanliness, maintenance, and availability of all materials.
• Model and foster self-help and good hygiene habits among children.
• Execute all center policies and state regulations to ensure full compliance.
• Maintain a personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Manage daily communications with parents through informal discussions and detailed daily reports.
• Maintain a healthy, safe, and secure classroom environment by upholding strict hygiene and cleanliness standards.
• Conduct and record daily observations of children's progress and interests.
• Attend and participate in all in-service training and monthly staff meetings to continuously increase job performance and competency.
• Utilize inclusive language and Conscious Discipline skills and powers across all communications.
• Guide and support families and staff using the P.E.A.C.E. model for problem-solving.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 1-2 years of professional education experience.
• An understanding of child development.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• A high energy and ability to work well with others (team members, children, families).
• The ability to work with others including families and community members.
• Understanding of diverse family dynamics and cultural differences with the ability to work with and empower families.
• Knowledge of the concepts and practices associated with early childhood education and child development issues.
• Understanding of YW3CA mission, goals, and objectives and ability to work independently with a high level of energy and contribute as part of a larger team.
• The ability to take frequent walks, use hands and fingers, handle objects, tools or controls, talk to and hear voices at many levels.
• The ability to kneel, bend, squat or crawl and stand for periods of time in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• A specific vision ability including the ability to see up close and up to a certain distance, to see colors, have peripheral vision and depth perception.
• The ability to lift 50 pounds.
• The ability to sit on the floor and/or ground outside to be actively involved with the children.
• Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• May require working non-traditional hours based on operational needs.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and college credit in early childhood education or related field of study, or CDA, or 9 hours of ECE credit (required).
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children.
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
• Willingness to submit to background checks, in accordance with local laws and regulations.
• Current Health Assessment and TB test.
• Familiarity with Keystone STARS (a plus).
• Familiarity with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Regulations a plus.
• Familiarity with ITERS and ECERS Rating Scale.
• Ability to work independently; goal oriented.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the YW3CA.

Skills

• Knowledge of early childhood education and child development issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, families, and members of the community.
• Oral and written communication skills and basic computer skills including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and customized databases.

Benefits

• 403(b)/401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Visions insurance
• Wellness resources
• Flexible schedule
• Free food & snacks
• Parental leave
• Savings bank