Preschool Teacher I - 1864

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

403(b) retirement matching

Dental plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks a Teacher for the Renaissance Children’s Center to foster development in early childhood students. You will implement developmentally appropriate curricula, maintain a safe classroom, and engage families through regular communication.

Collaboration with staff and adherence to program standards are essential. The role requires a Bachelor’s in ECE or related field, a valid Colorado Driver’s License, and prior experience with young children in non-profit

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• Demonstrated experience aligning with NAEYC educator practice standards.
• Must have and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver curriculum using the Creative Curriculum framework and adapt activities to children’s needs.
• Maintain positive, respectful interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Create a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment promoting children’s growth.
• Engage with children to foster affection, interest and participation.
• Observe and assess children’s progress to guide instruction and program goals.
• Plan weekly lessons responsive to children’s questions and interests.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and administration to support program goals and resolve challenges.
• Communicate with parents through updates and conferences.

Skills

Decision making

Interpersonal skills

DAP knowledge

Organizational skills

NAEYC standards

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor’s in ECE or related field

Valid Colorado Driver's License

Job description

This position will be posted for a minimum of 5 days

Coalition Mission

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for families, children, and individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado.

The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone.

We Create Lasting Solutions To Homelessness By

• Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities, and fostering their hope that a better life is possible;
• Building strong, caring, and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care, and supportive services;
• Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve;
• Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation, and professional development;
• Using resources judiciously and effectively.

Position Summary

The Teacher at the Renaissance Children’s Center (RCC) provides a nurturing and educational environment for children, fostering their development across social, emotional, cognitive, and physical domains. This role works collaboratively within a team to deliver age-appropriate curriculum and meet the individual needs of children while supporting RCC’s mission and standards of excellence.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Deliver curriculum using recognized frameworks, adapting activities to meet children’s needs and interests.
• Maintain positive, respectful, and professional interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Create and maintain a safe, age-appropriate, and developmentally suitable learning environment that promotes children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Engage with children frequently to show affection, interest, and respect while encouraging active participation in activities.
• Adhere to health and safety regulations, including handwashing, use of universal precautions, and maintaining awareness of children’s locations and numbers at all times.
• Regularly observe, document, and assess children’s progress to guide individualized instruction and meet program goals.
• Utilize positive guidance strategies to encourage self-regulation, problem-solving skills, and responsibility in children.
• Facilitate effective communication with parents through regular updates, conferences, and engagement in classroom activities.
• Participate in ongoing professional training and meet certification or accreditation standards as required.
• Provide weekly lesson plans responsive to children’s questions and interests.
• Plan and provide age-appropriate and developmentally suitable environments using the Creative Curriculum.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and administration to support program goals and resolve challenges.
• Ensure classrooms meet high-quality program standards such as a minimum 5.0 rating on Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale or School-Age Care Environmental Rating Score.
• Use Teaching Strategies GOLD for ongoing assessments and quarterly checkpoints.
• Work with administration to ensure safe and sanitary classroom environments, including handwashing and universal precautions when dealing with bodily fluids.
• Monitor classroom conditions and supplies, replacing them as necessary.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Education, Experience And Job Competencies

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field required. Associate’s degree in related field or specialized early childhood education certification and two (2) years of relevant experience may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and practicing National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) educator practice standards, which are: child development knowledge, learning environment design, instructional skills, assessment and observation, and professionalism and ethics.
• Must have and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

Experience

• Prior experience working with the age group assigned required.
• Prior experience working in a non-profit environment preferred

Job Competencies

• Strong decision-making and critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on customer service.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and child care regulations.
• Organizational and multitasking abilities in a dynamic environment.
• Maintain knowledge of NAEYC accreditation criteria and ensures classroom compliance.
• Sensitivity to diverse populations, particularly underserved communities.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CCH provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Company.

Physical Demands Percentage of work time spent on activity →

0% - 24%

25% to 49%

50% to 74%

75% to 100%

SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents. HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others. STANDING/WALKING X CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING X LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING

• Occasionally lifts items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to write, type and use telephones, cellphone, and online phone.

Working Conditions

• Primary work location is the Renaissance Children’s Center at 1797 Kendall Street, Primary work location is the Renaissance Children’s Center at 1797 Kendall Street, Lakewood, CO 80214.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend hours for special events.
• Works primarily in a climate-controlled classroom environment, with up to two hours per day spent outside. \ Frequent interpersonal interaction, in addition to regular meetings.
• May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noxious fumes, excessive noise, and bugs/pests.
• May be exposed to direct and vicarious trauma including escalated behavior and mental health disorders.

Coalition Benefits

• Health Insurance - HMO or PPO
• Dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement savings matching,
• Extensive paid time-off, including holidays, sick leave, and vacation

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. CCH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status or any characteristic protected by law.