Preschool Lead Teacher

Early Education Program Inc; Springfield (OR); On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Preschool Associate Lead Teacher to join their dedicated team. This role involves creating a safe and engaging classroom environment for preschoolers with special needs, ensuring their optimal preparation for kindergarten. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and experience working with children with disabilities. This position offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of young learners while enjoying generous benefits, including paid time off and a supportive work environment. Join a mission-driven organization that values creativity and collaboration in education.

Benefits

Generous PTO

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Holidays

Retirement Match

Qualifications

• One year of experience with young children 2-5 is required.
• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in child/education-related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ECSE-eligible children for kindergarten in a nurturing environment.
• Lead classroom activities and ensure child participation in developmentally appropriate play.

Skills

Empathy

Classroom Management

Communication Skills

Child Development Knowledge

Behavior Management

Education

Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education

Job description

Preschool Associate Lead Teacher, Special Education

Springfield, Oregon • Full-time
$18.72 - $21.48 hourly

About the Job:

The Early Education Program (EEP) is a private non-profit that serves 220 preschoolers with special needs and those who are at risk. 140 preschoolers attend our Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classrooms. 80 children are enrolled in our Preschool Promise Program (PSP) classrooms. Children in our ECSE classrooms often come with significant developmental delays. We are looking for a particularly skilled lead teacher for full-time work for an ECSE classroom in Springfield.

Position Primary Purpose:

To optimally prepare ECSE-eligible children for kindergarten. Provides a classroom environment that is safe, nurturing, and filled with engaging activities and positive interactions that optimally support each child’s learning.

Primary Functions:

• Ensures children are safe at all times.
• Ensures child participation in a variety of developmentally appropriate play and activities that run smoothly, are predictable, are generally theme-based, and are individualized for the learner.
• Ensures implementation of EEP’s program curriculum and embeds relevant goals throughout the day.
• Leads most classroom activities including transitions and circles. Supports assistant teachers in doing the same.
• Routinely and mindfully engages with children in positive ways and ways that extend learning.
• Works to ensure the same for assistant teachers.
• Prioritizes strategies that demonstrate empathy, reduce or prevent challenging behavior, and promote self-regulation.
• With support from the EEP’s Service Coordinator and/or Supervisor, ensure assistant teachers do the same.
• Leads weekly team meetings where curriculum and IFSP goals are clarified, child data is reviewed and changes are discussed; large, small group and one-on-one activities are planned that provide active and fun practice on important skills.
• Ensures that all families feel welcome, listened to, and supported by the classroom team.
• Ensures regular communication with families including weekly lesson plans and news of trainings and events;
• Provides updates at least weekly through a variety of methods including ParentSquare.
• Listens to and partners with assistant teachers. Gives clear and positive feedback frequently. Problems are discussed early, respectfully, and are followed up on.
• Works closely and effectively with the ECSE Service Coordinator, Supervisor, and EC CARES-related services staff to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Supports the Service Coordinator in collecting data on IFSP goals.
• Maintains a simple system for data collection on key EEP Curriculum goals.
• Assists with purchasing classroom materials and supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience/Education:

• One year of experience with young children 2-5 is required.
• One year of experience with young children in a school setting is preferred.
• One year of experience with young children with disabilities is preferred.
• Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in a child/education-related field (e.g. early childhood, special education, communication disorders, psychology, etc.) strongly preferred.
• Training/experience in implementing Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Is currently on the Oregon’s Central Background Registry (CBR) required.
• Step 8 on ORO preferred.

Physical Skills:

• Staff should be able to lift/carry at least 30 pounds and move from standing to sitting easily to best interact with children.

Pay & Benefits:

• Hourly rate: $18.72-$21.48 based on education, and experience.
• The 192-day school year follows the Early Childhood CARES calendar (includes a 5-week summer program).
• Benefits: Generous PTO (Paid Time Off); full-time employees receive medical and dental insurance/stipend; paid holidays; a 4% retirement match; regularly scheduled breaks throughout the year.

TO APPLY:

Submit a resume detailing your educational background & experience. Include a brief paragraph that speaks to your particular interest in working with young children with special needs.

About Early Education Program:

The Early Education Program (EEP) is Lane County’s largest specialized preschool. Since 1981, we have successfully served preschoolers with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other developmental delays. In 2016, our organization expanded to also serve preschoolers from income-eligible families in the Eugene and Creswell communities through Oregon's Preschool Promise program. Currently, over 200 children attend our family of classrooms in Creswell, Eugene, Junction City, and Springfield.

EEP offers great benefits, for eligible employees, paid time off, paid holidays, work life balance and a hands on, mission driven work environment.