Preschool Assistant Teacher

Description:

Role

The Preschool Assistant Teacher works with other faculty and staff to implement our preschool program with students ages 2-5. 

We ask assistant teachers to be an active member of their classroom team. This means being both an active observer and listener, expressing ideas, and being open to discussing our differences. We communicate about conflicts, and look for solutions together that align with OWP’s mission and best practices.

The assistant teacher will receive direct supervision, as well as ongoing support and feedback, from the lead teacher in their classroom. Beyond this, there is a supervision support team as well. Teachers  will have the opportunity to meet individually with the Education Director, and periodically with the Executive Director to build their teaching skills and to ensure their classroom and team are moving One World Project’s mission and vision forward. 

All teachers are also asked to participate in frequent paid professional development opportunities that will continue to build their teaching and leadership skills.

The position also offers opportunities to learn and grow, with the chance to become a Lead Teacher for an OWP classroom. Assistant teachers will gain a deep understanding of early childhood development and language acquisition, as well as the skills to lead Spanish-immersion programs for children ages 2 to 5 years old. 

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities

Mindset & Attitude

• Authentic commitment to OWP mission and goals;
• Personal investment in Spanish-immersion education; 
• Positive attitude, an energetic “can do” approach to student learning;
• Genuine appreciation for diverse experiences and perspectives;
• Commitment to collaboration and supporting colleagues;
• Proactive approach to challenges and problem-solving;
• Fundamental belief that teaching and learning should be fun;
• Personal responsibility and professionalism in all areas.

Teaching & Advancing Progressive Practices

• Building respectful, strong and caring relationships with children that make their growth possible.
• Helping to build and maintain an engaging and nurturing environment that ensures safety and healthy development;
• Helping to implement One World Project’s interactive, hands-on, and play-based preschool curriculum in accordance with OWP’s mission and values;
• Observing and recording students’ actions, interactions, and development in relation to the curriculum;
• Supporting the development of the children and program by working closely with the Lead Teacher to prepare and maintain a classroom environment that responds to children’s skills, interests, and needs (including diapering!)
• Learning the classroom routines and assuming a shared responsibility for managing the flow of the day and planning for smooth and meaningful transitions.
• Asking questions and engaging in ongoing dialogue with peers and supervisors about how to be responsive to the children's interests and needs.

Curriculum Design & Collaboration

• With guidance from the Lead Teacher, participating in the design of units of study and lessons that are developmentally appropriate, and connected to both the OWP mission and children’s interests and needs;
• Collaborating on and critically analyzing units of study with the Lead Teacher;
• Participating in weekly team meetings and planning efforts for the classroom that allow ample time for reflection between units of study to consider areas of improvement, discuss student observations, and incorporate opportunity in the next cycle (i.e. parent resources, new materials, possible trips);
• Participating in weekly staff meetings to share ideas, best practices, and challenges that ensure a strong connection between classrooms and programs. 
• Collaborating in the design of  a clear distribution of the responsibilities (zoning), both inside and outside the classroom. The system should reflect and maximize the strengths of each member of the team.
• Collaboration in the planning of a contingency plan for absences, so the whole team feels confident and ready when any member is absent.

Administration & Outreach

• Building relationships with parents and the broader community that foster participation, and contribute to our students’ and organization’s development.
• In collaboration with the Lead Teacher, planning the use of Google Classroom to communicate and coordinate important information with parents and caregivers, as well as participating in the creation of a weekly class email to keep families informed and involved.

Personal Development & Growth

• In collaboration with the Lead Teacher, articulating strengths, areas for improvement, and realistic goals to guide growth and reflection;
• Seeking and being open to regular feedback from the Lead Teacher as well as other colleagues;
• Actively participating in and preparing for bi-annual appraisal conversations with the Lead Teacher;
• Proactively seeking and engaging in relevant professional development opportunities aligned to personal and professional goals and interests, including necessary certification requirements;
• Thinking big regarding his/her own growth and future in the One World Project family.

Qualifications: