Early Childhood Center Teacher

Early Childhood Center Teacher

The Therapeutic Preschool at Family Forward provides a highly structured environment utilizing trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive interventions for children ages three to six years experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties resulting from histories of developmental trauma. This role is highly collaborative, partnering with other teachers and a team of therapists to create a custom therapeutic plan for each child. An ideal candidate will nurture, play, build relationships, teach, and co-regulate with the children in the program.

Classroom sizes are small to enable staff to provide individualized support needed to help children thrive. This is a full-time, year-round position.

• Small adult-child ratios and high levels of support for staff in the classroom
• 4-day programming;
  Fridays without students for flexible use
• 40-hour work week – no work on weekends
• Brand new facility built to support the needs of staff and clients
• Paid time off December 25 to January 1
• Therapeutic service provision based in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
• No on‑call hours
• Emphasis on professional learning, growth, and development
• Competitive pay & benefits package includes medical, dental, vision for you and your family; optional short‑term disability; virtual medical & mental health care; employee assistance program; pre-tax medical FSA; health reimbursement account; 3% company‑matched 403(b); company‑paid long‑term disability & life insurance; 10 paid holidays; wellness week paid time off; paid vacation & health & wellness leave; education assistance; public service loan forgiveness;
  
  national health service corps loan repayment; active Hispanic & LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce membership; diversity awareness partnership non‑profit partner

• Build relationships with young children and the classroom team to develop rapport and trust
• Create an environment in your classroom that supports play, feels safety, and promotes co-regulation
• Actively engage students throughout the school day in developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed therapeutic activities
• Utilize individualized therapeutic interventions to support children through challenging behaviors and big emotions
• Implement all classroom practices including lesson plans, room arrangement, daily schedules, routines, and transitions
• Prepare and maintain the classroom environment for daily activities, ensuring cleanliness and safety of the physical environment
• Support the educational therapist and occupational therapist during group therapy throughout the week
• Communicate directly and effectively with clients, staff, supervisor, teammates and other professionals, demonstrating an embracement and responsiveness to cultural, familial, socioeconomic and other diverse experiences
• Be supported by a co-teacher and assigned educational therapist and build a cohesive classroom team
• Practice regular self-reflective practice and maintain continual curiosity to continue evolving skills and meeting the unique needs of children in your care
• Help track each child’s progress, and regularly communicate updates to caregivers and each child’s treatment team
• Ensure the safety of students at all times, including utilizing the safe room and/or appropriate restraints (as a last resort) when absolutely necessary
• Actively participate in classroom meetings, all-staff meetings, staff development activities, and regular case staffing
• Participate in caregiver-teacher conferences twice yearly

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development (advanced degree in a related field considered)
• Bring at least three years’ experience; experience in early childhood education preferred
• Meet the personal qualifications as required in Part 407:
  Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers
• Have experience serving high‑needs populations; preferably working with children with challenging behaviors
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Be committed to trauma-informed interventions with children
• Have strong self-care and stress management skills
• Have the physical ability to sit on floor and lift children without…