Teacher - Early Childhood Lead Teacher (4-6 yr)

Position: Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Program: Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Reports to: Early Childhood Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date: July 2024

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Lead Teacher is responsible for creating, with joy and warmth, a Waldorf play based program in a mixed age Early Childhood group setting, ages 4 to 6 years. Working with an assistant, the teacher brings the magic of the seasons through stories, circles, imaginative play and outdoor experiences each day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide parent education and hold parent evenings

Plan, communicate and document periodic parent/teacher conferences to discuss children’s developmental progress, needs, and interests

Develop and implement age appropriate curriculum to nurture and stimulate all domains of children’s development in their care

Provide responsive care to all children by adapting daily caregiving routine and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group

Complete child transition and orientation of the classroom with parents to offer a smooth transition from home to Kindergarten setting

Coordinate daily preparations of classroom, materials, and playground

Develop circle work and activities with Waldorf pedagogy and DEI practices

Provide and maintain a developmentally appropriate and pleasing aesthetic classroom environment

Work directly with and supervises Early Childhood Assistant; providing open communication to keep them updated on all matters concerning the classroom, program, procedures, class behavior, and expectations

Participate in interviews and admission events as needed including open houses

Participate in weekly ECE sectional meetings as well as attend full faculty meetings, and beginning and end of the year meetings

Ensure each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and develop clear communication with Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Ensure age appropriate classroom management and supervision of class activities

Coordinate and participate in curriculum activities, games, circle time, birthday celebrations, festivals, and cleanup

Become knowledgeable of the SMWS Campus Emergency Plan and ability to implement

Coordinate weekly hike, outdoor activities and outdoor play

Manage the preparation of puppet plays for Winter Faire when needed

Guide and support children with self-care (toileting, dressing, and social behavior)

Maintain confidentiality in all student situations

Communicate with parents on student behavior and related issues and parent inquiries

Assure a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment for children

Develop and communicate outdoor activities, class transitions, and parent/caregiver pick up

Complete daily attendance sheets and provide first aid as necessary

Complete, acquire signatures, and file Accident/Incident Report as necessary

Actively participate in committee work

Develop and maintain collegial relationships through communication and support with faculty members

Participate in our school-wide adopted Restorative Process practices with colleagues.

Cultivate classroom community connection

Shop for supplies and food

Uphold State of Colorado Rules and Regulations for Childcare Centers

Additional Responsibilities

In accordance with the SMWS philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in accordance with the duties listed above.

Coordinate preparation and serving of daily snacks and cleanup

Oversee orderly storage area in the Early Childhood classroom and storage sheds

Classroom preparation at the beginning of the school year and end of school year closure

Education and Qualifications / Regulations

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training Certificate from an accredited Waldorf training program

Early Childhood teaching experience

Complete requirements for Colorado ECE regulations of Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. Must be an ECT (early childhood teacher) designated by the state of Colorado

Within 30 days complete CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, Physical, Background Check, fingerprinting, mandatory licensing classes, registration in Colorado Shines PDIS.

Must possess a work style focussing on integrity and being worthy of imitation

Submission of records for ongoing training and 15 hours of ECE classes per year

Work Setting

Kindergarten classroom, playground and surrounding open spaces

This program has a strong focus on nature and outdoor play

Salary, Hours, and Benefits

Full Time teaching position

Trained Waldorf Teaching Salary base of $46,717 plus years of Waldorf Teaching experience at $850 per year

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Aflac supplemental plans, and a newly added identity theft recovery group plan.

Physical Requirements

Take frequent walks, outdoor activities

Use your hands and fingers to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls; speaking and listening

Daily requirement to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl

Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child

Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception

Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, three references.