Position: Beginning School Teacher

Reports to: Beginning School Director

Employment Type: Exempt, 12-month faculty position

Position Description

Charles Wright Academy Lead Teacher for our Beginning School will be responsible for leading and fostering a play based, developmentally appropriate, outdoor, experiential, emergent curriculum for a classroom of 2.5-5 year olds. This position will work collaboratively with a classroom team ensuring the nurture and care of a diverse group of early learners, as well as overseeing the health and safety of the children enrolled as part of a DCYF licensed program and NWAIS accredited school.

Key Responsibilities

• Act in a professional manner reflecting the Charles Wright mission and values. Understand and align to the Portrait of a Tarrier and the Inclusion Statement.

• Abide by the Code of Ethical Conduct and all professional standards both in and out of the classroom.

• Partner with the associate and assistant teachers, both as a mentor and a collaborator, to facilitate child-led, play based and experiential learning experiences in the classroom.

• Create multi-dimensional and cross domain experiences that utilize a broad range of materials that are open ended and invite inquiry.

• Facilitate learning that aligns with our mission, values, Inclusion Statement and Portrait of a Tarrier.

• Knows and follows the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as it applies to licensed childcare centers.

• Aligns teaching practices to each child as an individual, taking into account their identity, culture and background.

• Create a culturally responsive, collaborative environment where other viewpoints and voices are considered and heard.

• Use up to date research in their classroom pedagogy and practice.

• Use the NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice standards and Washington Early Learning Guidelines to guide classroom learning experiences.

• Document children’s growth and learning, throughout the entire year, using documentation such as learning stories, direct anecdotes and child-led reflections. Connect this learning documentation to child developmental assessment.

• Develop and nurture relationships with families as experts on their child/ren, understanding the responsibility and value in building strong partnerships with families.

• Uphold professional standards, creating partnerships, lines of communication with colleagues and families, a collaborative atmosphere with classroom partners as well as colleagues throughout the school.

• Readily engage in professional development when made available or as you are able to seek out that will keep your practice current

• Attends all scheduled faculty and community meetings. Participate as a willing partner in school-wide or divisional initiatives. Follow all school policies and procedures.

• Follows all school policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned by the Division Director or Head of School.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The lead teacher will be required to seek mastery of NAEYC Professional Standards and Competencies ECE III.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field. Masters degree preferred.

• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge in Google Suite

• A minimum of three years experience as a lead teacher in an early childhood education classroom.

Hours:

Full-time exempt, 12 months

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

• Must be comfortable outdoors in all weather.

• Must be able to navigate uneven terrain in all weather as part of our outdoor focused programming.

• Must be able to occasionally ascend/descend stairs, steep hills and hiking paths.

• Must be able to sit on the floor/ground with children.

• Frequently communicates with others in person and over the phone. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range between $60,000 and $70,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.

Benefits

Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, up to a 7.5% employer contribution subject to the terms of the plan documents and employee eligibility.

Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 80 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.

Personal Leave: Employees will receive 5 days of personal leave per year.

Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees, Child Tuition Remission of 50% for those choosing to enroll at CWA, 100% discount of Extended Day child care services and 50% Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students.

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements (both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent supervisor) via ADP where this posting occurs.

Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.

Inclusion Statement

Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community.

We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve.

The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020)