Preschool Teacher

The ASMSU Early Learning Center's mission is to serve the MSU students, staff and faculty as a quality early care and education center for children ages 6 weeks until entrance into Kindergarten; to implement a program to meet the needs of young children at different ages and developmental levels; to be an inclusive setting for children and their families; to support families as valued partners in the education process;

and to promote a learning community of children and adults that promotes optimal child development and healthy families.

The lead teacher is responsible for all aspects of the ASMSU Early Learning Center classroom curriculum planning and implementation; supervision and guidance of children, teacher aides, and MSU students; parent relationships and involvement; classroom environment; safety and health standards.

Duties and Responsibilities
Manage all aspects of the preschool classroom:
Plan and implement curriculum.
Inspect classroom and outdoor environment daily for safety and sanitation and take steps to make any necessary corrections.
Supervise and care for children.
Supervise work of the teacher aides.
Carry out all policies and procedures of the ASMSU Early Learning Center.

Plan and implement activities and environments:

Actively support for children of all abilities.
Develop children's dispositions for life- long learning.
Engage children in active, meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Are based on results of on-going daily observations and assessments of individual children's abilities and interest.

Create Family Involvement opportunities:

Meet with families before the child enrolls to develop a positive relationship and learn about family background.
Communicate with parents/guardians on a daily basis.
Conduct at least two parent/teacher conferences per year.
Plan and attend at least two Family Night gatherings per year.
Use newsletters, email and face to face conversations to inform families of current and future events, as well as encourage parent involvement.
Help families find resources to enhance their life situations.

Supervise MSU-Bozeman students working in the center:

Give objective, non-judgmental feedback and suggestions, and support.
Communicate classroom expectations and daily tasks to each student.
Model exemplary curriculum planning, activities and best practices.

Model Professionalism:

Participate in training and course work to remain current with the trends in ECE and to meet requirements for licensing.
With the support from the director, develop and complete a yearly professional development plan.
Maintain membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Maintain an active status on the MT Early Childhood Practitioner Registry.
Work as a supportive team member with center staff to accomplish center goals.
Incorporate the NAEYC Code of Ethics in all work relate activities.
Accomplish on-going activities to maintain NAEYC Accreditation.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development & Family Science, Child Development, or related field
Early Childhood Lead Teacher certified through Montana Childcare Licensing
Minimum 3 years of experience as an early childhood (birth - age
5) teacher

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
Demonstrated experience in varying communication methods and interpersonal skills.

The Successful Candidate Will

Work productively in a team-oriented environment.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, staff, and students.
Maintain a high standard of professionalism.
Demonstrate evidence of good judgment, flexibility, and innovation.
Demonstrated strong organizational skills.
Maintain confidentiality of records and information.
Possess a commitment to early childhood education.

Position

Special Requirements /Additional Information
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Physical Demands
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

This position has supervisory duties?
No