Early Childhood - Teacher

Summary

Little Star School in Winthrop, WA is hiring a Co-Lead Early Childhood Teacher

Little Star School is a Montessori-inspired, non-profit school in the beautiful Methow Valley, serving over 125 students ages 0-6. Our multi-age Early Childhood (ages 3-6) classroom environment provides an exciting and stimulating experience for children, and fosters great joy in learning as they make their own choices and discoveries. Students also enjoy plenty of time outside, both on our large play yard and on walking fieldtrips.

As a Lead Early Childhood Teacher, you will work with a co-lead to supervise up to 16 students. Typical days start with classroom work, circle time, snack and then outside time. Afternoons flow into lunch, rest and activities or more outside time. You will work with your co-teacher to implement Little Star’s curriculum and also have the creativity to add on and build your own. Little Star emphasizes a prepared environment for the students with practical life activities, imagination play, Montessori materials, art stations and sensorial work. Following the lead of the students, teachers weave in cooking, storytelling, art, history, geography, music, Spanish and other activities and lessons.

Duties

• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum throughout the year.
• Oversees the daily flow of the classroom, including set up, student care and engagement, end of day clean up, parent/guardian interactions, and teaching team collaboration.
• Meets regularly with the classroom teaching team for planning weekly/monthly lessons.
• Maintains close communication with team teacher(s) and other staff members.
• Ensures respectful and open lines of communication with families.
• Attends and responds to family concerns and questions in a timely manner.
• Participates with the classroom team in parent conferences twice a year to discuss each child’s growth and development.
• Participates in ongoing evaluation including classroom observations, feedback meetings with supervisors and an annual individual development plan
• Maintains teaching skills and participates in professional development activities (both within the school and attendance at conferences, workshops).
• Complies with all continuing education requirements including annual training hours required through Washington State for licensed childcare providers.
• Attends monthly staff meetings, professional days and other collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment.

Requirements

• 3 years experience working in a setting with preschool-aged children, preferably in a child-centered environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with children, parents and other staff members.
• Nurturing, calm, kind and respectful, with an open attitude towards all children and families.
• Is creative, flexible, loving and patient.
• Can lift 30+ lbs
• Ability to fulfill all Washington State's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requirements (TB test, MMR vaccination pass a portable background check.)
• Willingness to complete training upon hire: Food Handler’s certificate, Pediatric First Aid/CPR, HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate, and Safe Sleep certificate (paid).
• Completion of initial 30 hour STARS training (completed within 6 months of hire).
• Completion of Positive Discipline training (completed upon hire).

Nice To Haves

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, or similar field

Benefits

• Competitive wages ($18-$22 per hour, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications)
• 3% retirement matching program
• $750 annual Health Stipend
• Accrued paid time off at 0.025 hours per hour worked
• 50% discount on your child’s enrollment at Little Star
• Flexible scheduling with weekday/daytime hours
• Positive and supportive work environment with a fun and dedicated team
• Make a difference in the lives of children and families

About Us

At Little Star, we spark children's curiosity, compassion, and sense of community through joyful learning and discovery. We are a Montessori-inspired school that provides outstanding early childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners.We strive to serve families across the socioeconomic spectrum with a robust financial aid program and by participating in the https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/getting-help/wccc" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(170, 50, 26);">Working Connections Childcare Program through Washington state.

Little Star was founded in 1982 as a non-profit school by Rayma Hayes, a certified Montessori teacher with an amazing and joyful way of interacting with children. We’ve grown through the years in response to community need. In 2018, the community came together to fundraise for a new building on our Winthrop campus and a small satellite campus 8 miles down the road in Twisp to expand early education opportunities for infants and toddlers.

Little Star’s approach to Montessori education differs from many certified Montessori schools. We’ve taken the key ideas from Maria Montessori’s work and blended them with inspiration from play-based learning, outdoor-based learning, the Positive Discipline approach, and the most up-to-date early learning research to create an innovative school curriculum and culture that meets the unique needs of our diverse rural community. While we strive for our teachers to carry a Montessori certificate, we’ve consciously chosen not to pursue Montessori certification for our school in order to best fulfill our mission and vision.