Preschool Lead Teacher - West Seattle

Overview

Launch is dedicated to ensuring a brilliant start for all children. Through our preschool, after school and summer programs, we provide equitable access to the highest-quality learning and care in a safe, enriching environment that prepares children for success in school and life. Our programs serve a diverse group of over 1300 children ages 3-12 and are located on-site in 9 Seattle public schools and 3 community centers.

Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, we serve as a proven model of effective programming and a passionate advocate for children, families and communities. Launch strives to live an anti-racist, inclusive existence, and welcomes diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives.

The Preschool Lead Teacher 1 is responsible for providing a safe, caring and academically and socially enriching environment for preschool children. This position ensures that all activities are developmentally appropriate, consistent with curriculum guidelines, and meet all identified academic and developmental domains.

• In partnership with other Preschool Lead Teachers, plan and lead all activities in a classroom, with a focus on providing quality kindergarten readiness preparedness programs for children 3-5 years or age.
• Plan, prepare, implement and clean-up activities and projects using the High Scope program outline.
• Enter weekly observations and complete quarterly assessments in TSG.
• Provide positive behavior guidance. Behavior is a way for children to communicate, ask yourself why them might be having a certain way. Be specific about what you want children to do, rather than what you do not want them to do.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to changes and modifications as recommended by coaches, leadership, and changing trends in early childhood education.
• Maintain center appearance and cleanliness, including post activity clean up.
• Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks in accordance with Department of Health Food Safety standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Communicate frequently with parents, site leadership, and other key stakeholders about classroom activities, observations and identified progress, etc. Prepare and schedule parent/teacher conferences.
• Complete required reports/assessments including observations, attendance (DATTs), health screenings, developmental screenings, etc.
• Use daily planning time to prepare developmentally appropriate activities for students.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Complete Kindergarten transition forms and support Kindergarten Readiness programs.
• Attend and complete all required trainings including State and Registry Service workshops.
• Enforce all general safety rules of the center. Apply first aid, perform CPR, complete incident reports, and practice other health and safety or life-saving procedures as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent

• An Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Child Development or related field, which can include Youth Recreation/Development, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Psychology, Social Work with an emphasis on Human Development or other degrees as appropriate

OR

• An Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college and verified in MERIT and 20 or more credits in ECE verified through Merit. Up to 10 credits may be classified as ECE-School age hybrid (E/S) credits.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience working with preschool children (3-5 years old), including experience in behavior management and age-appropriate activity planning.

• The ability to lead staff in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• The ability to problem-solve, think strategically, and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially
• The ability to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
• The ability to lead by example and routinely demonstrate behavior consistent with Launch’s values, or children, families, employees and mission.
• The ability…