Essential Job Functions Include

• Develops and utilizes integrated curriculum plans, which include mandated elements and components, parental, and cultural influences
• Encourages experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making; asks open-ended questions and listens respectfully to children
• Provides classroom management and facilitates the social and emotional development of children by using the program policies, procedures, and Conscious Discipline in the prevention and intervention of challenging behaviors
• Using data from the online ongoing assessment system, develops and implement an individual education plan for each child that is specific to his/her interests, strengths, and areas for growth and development
• Assesses the ongoing development and progress of children through a variety of observation methods, such as but not limited to, written anecdotal, video, photo, parent observations, etc.
• Engages in coaching and reflective practices that lead to increased school readiness for children and families and improved pedagogy
• Documents and submits data and follow up for children and families per prescribed timelines
• Provides home visits and parent-teacher conferences with families that are family centered
• Promotes and supports parent involvement and activities in all aspects of the program, including evening parent services, and assists with the implementation of parent involvement plans
• Conducts individual screenings on children; monitors all necessary screening results and follow-up services through communication with appropriate co-workers
• Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips
• Monitors students’ progress throughout the year and evaluates preparedness for kindergarten
• Communicates all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents, Lead Teacher, and/or Center Coordinator. The Teacher is also the second in command in the classroom
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents
• Actively supervises and enforces safety and security standards for children, staff, and visitors
• Maintains required paperwork for individual student files: attendance, incident reports, and other necessary records
• Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices in early childhood education
• Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play
• Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
• Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities
• Enforce all administration policies, licensing regulations, and rules governing students
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development
• Creates an environment that reflects the values and norms of the diverse children and families we serve
• Perform other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Infant/Toddler Classroom Child Development Associate (CDA) or one-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stackable Certificate.

• Valid driver’s license, proof of insurability, and cleared state driving record check.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Minimum Qualifications for Preschool Teacher

Required

• An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, or a related field, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE, with experience teaching children ages 0-8.

o May apply with Preschool Classroom Child Development Associate (CDA) or one-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) Stackable Certificate. A three-year Teacher waiver would need to be initiated by MCCC and approved, prior to the start date. The employee must complete coursework equivalent to an Associate’s Degree in ECE prior to waiver expiration. Continuation in position is contingent on completion of the Teacher waiver.

• Valid driver’s license, proof of insurability, and cleared state driving record check.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Position Summary

Teachers at Mid-Columbia Children’s Council (MCCC) are key members to the success of the agency’s Mission, Vision & Values. Teachers’ primary responsibility is to promote the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of each child in a safe and supervised educational environment. They create and implement weekly lesson plans that follow State, Federal & Organizational guidelines while embracing the diversity and individual needs of each child in the classroom