JBER Early Learning Teacher

Armed Services YMCA National Headquarters; Alaska; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Armed Services YMCA National Headquarters in Alaska seeks an Early Learning Teacher to develop a cohesive teaching and mentoring team, coordinate curriculum, and manage day-to-day operations of learning programs for early learning and school-age children.

The role requires understanding child development to provide a safe, stimulating classroom, guiding staff, and addressing parental concerns. The position is in person, full-time year-round.

Qualifications

• Early childhood or elementary education certificate or degree is required.
• Familiar with Alaska Early Childhood Standards.
• First Aid/CPR Certification is required.
• Experience planning and implementing curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.
• Recruit, develop and educate a team of volunteers to conduct activities for infant, toddler and preschool children focused on parent/child bonding and socialization.
• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth; maintain regular communications with parents.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment, including hygiene and safety.
• Supervise teacher assistants, after-school mentors and volunteers; ensure safety and adherence to activities.
• Maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Resolve conflicts to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
• Maintain communications with parents, attend outreach activities, and promote positive community relationships.
• Develop relationships with key influencers to promote ASYMCA learning programs.
• Ensure education programs align with YMCA competencies: Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.
• Train staff on best practices for teaching and learning.
• Continually monitor classroom and learning spaces for best practice arrangements.
• Monitor playgrounds and classrooms to maintain high standards.
• Maintain attendance records and topics.

Skills

First Aid/CPR Certified

Alaska Early Childhood Standards

Curriculum planning

Education

Early childhood or elementary education certificate or degree

Job description

The Early Learning Teacher is responsible for developing a cohesive teaching and mentoring team, coordinating the curriculum, and managing the day-to-day operational activities of learning programs: early learning and school age. The Education Coordinator must understand children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in order to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed. The Early Learning Teacher must be skilled in communicating with both children and adults to meet the needs of the children, effectively guide teacher assistants and mentors, and resolve parental concerns.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate and implement educational curriculum by developing classroom activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards.
• Recruit, develop and educate a team of volunteers to conduct activities for infant, toddler and preschool aged children focused on parent/child bonding and socialization.
• Lead by example; encourage teaching team success through modeling and coaching.
• Plan individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth. Maintain frequent communications with parents through informal discussions, progress reports, and parent‑teacher conversations. Ensure all ASYMCA, school and DOD policies and regulations are met.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment – including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Supervise teacher assistants, after school mentors and volunteers to ensure they are following planned activities and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records, forms and files.
• Resolve conflicts when necessary to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
• Maintain communications with parents of current and prospective parents of preschool and school age students, through direct conversation, newsletters, calendars and parent handbook; attend community outreach activities to maintain and promote positive community relationships, developing outreach communications, such as; calendars, bulletin boards, white board, preschool news articles, e‑mail blasts, parent mailings, newspaper guest columns.
• Develop relationships with key influencers to promote the ASYMCA’s learning programs through school administration, teachers, guidance counselors and Parent/Teacher Organizations
• Ensure that education programs are adhering and supporting the YMCA competencies: Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.
• Train staff on best practices for teaching and learning and provide recommendations for trainings.
• Continually monitor classroom and learning spaces for best practice arrangements of age appropriate learning center(s).
• Monitor and provide suggestions to assure playground and classrooms are maintained to the highest standards.
• Maintain records of attendance and topics.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Early childhood or elementary education certificate or degree
• Familiar with Alaska Early Childhood Standards
• First Aid/CPR Certified
• Experience planning and implementing curriculum
• Must have a clean criminal background check clearance from the Armed Services YMCA, and be approved for military installation base access
• In person position. Full-time year‑round schedule, or full‑time school year schedules available

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

• Mission Advancement: The incumbent shall have performed his/her duties satisfactorily when his/her staff are working at an overall good level of performance, facility care is evident, program quality and variety is in place, finances are on track, committees are meeting on time and overall image and perception of the work area is good and well liked which will relate to increased members and retention.
• Collaboration: Develops strategies to ensure staff reflect the community. Builds and nurtures strategic relationships to enhance support for the ASYMCA. Serves as a community leader building collaboration based on trust and credibility to advance ASYMCA mission and goals. Communicates for influence to attain buy‑in and support of goals. Provides tools and resources for the development of others.
• Operational Effectiveness: Integrates multiple thinking processes to make decisions. Involves members and community in the development of programs and activities. Ensures execution of plans. Institutes sound accounting procedures, investment policies and financial controls. Assigns clear accountability and ensures continuous improvement.
• Personal Growth: Fosters a learning environment embracing diverse abilities and approaches. Creates a sense of urgency and positive tension to support change. Anticipates challenges that can sidetrack or derail growth and personal learning. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up‑to‑date knowledge and skills in technology.