Studio Visual Arts Supervising Teacher

The Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill is looking for a Studio Visual Arts Supervising Teacher. Come join a team of passionate educators that are dedicated to supporting the growth and development of young children through use of the world renowned Reggio Emilia approach, centered around the philosophy that each child’s learning experience is unique and emphasizing the importance of the arts, curiosity, and inquiry-based exploration.

Each child who comes through the CECE joins a community of children, families and teachers engaged in the joy, work and wonder of childhood.

Ideal candidates will have a background in both visual arts education and early childhood education, as our Visual Arts Studio Supervising Teacher supervises the visual arts studio in the morning and steps into a classroom teaching role in the afternoon. Our Visual Arts Studio Supervising Teacher is a pedagogical and creative leader in our program, modeling Reggio-inspired curriculum development and documentation.

By joining this team of dynamic educators, you will have the opportunity to share in the mission of providing exemplary early education and care for young children; to offer a laboratory for research and fieldwork for college students and faculty; and, to support the child care needs of families.

The Center’s warm and welcoming facility, completed in August 2005, is located on Lyman Road, about a half-mile from the center of Northampton, Massachusetts.

• Plan, develop and evaluate a comprehensive early childhood program in the visual arts studio, coordinate the studio space, and develop and implement a studio curriculum that is integrated with the preschool classrooms.
• Supervise the afternoon program. Assume a leadership role in communicating and implementing the philosophy, vision, and core values of the school; supervise and organize school wide initiatives related to curriculum and environments, family events, community outreach, and partnerships with departments on campus.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues at the College and in the community, CECE team members, families, and children.
• Develop and maintain the visual arts studio environment, assess children’s development, and create curriculum within the context of the Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy of the program.
• Build partnerships with families and colleagues to develop a model early childhood program based on best practice and current knowledge.
• Understand and implement CECE policies and principles; pursue ongoing professional development; and, support the work of students and faculty at the Center.
• Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

• Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the visual arts studio and the afternoon program that aligns with the Reggio Emilia- and RIE-inspired philosophy of the program, is based on current research and knowledge of child development and early education and care, and adheres to Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations.
• Responsible for supervising children, knowing individual children’s needs, ensuring the health and safety of children, and promoting the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of children.
• Maintain a positive, respectful environment for children and adults and support children’s investigations and explorations in a team-based environment.
• Maintain ongoing written observations and assessments of children and their development.
• Supervise, train, and support teachers, summer assistants, and student workers; facilitate student and faculty research projects and course-related experiences; may assume duties of director or assistant director in case of absence.

• Provide leadership at all meetings to support a high quality education and care program for children infancy through preschool and develop collaborative relationships with families and colleagues in the CECE.
• Man…