Lead Pre-School Instructor, Wonder School

Requisition ID: req3023

Job Title: Lead Pre-School Instructor, Wonder School

Department: Early Child Development & Edu.

Location: Columbus Campus

Employment Type: Faculty

Employment Status: Externally Funded

Bargaining Unit: CSEA(Faculty)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation Type: Hourly

Compensation: $22.00/hr

Schedule: Mon - Fri; Part-Time (20hrs/week)

End Date(if applicable):

Job Description:

The College

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to respond to workforce needs and make higher education an affordable reality. There has never been a better time to join a two-year college, and there’s no better place to do it than at Columbus State. A laser focus on student success and a partnership mindset have established Columbus State as a key talent provider in a thriving regional economy, and a premier community college that is changing the nation’s education and workforce landscapes.

With more than 46,000 students across two campuses, at several regional learning centers, and online, Columbus State is the nation’s only institution recognized as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) college, an AACC Guided Pathways institution, and a participant in The Right Signals Initiative through the Lumina Foundation. Columbus State employees at all levels benefit from an engaging, collaborative, and supportive culture that rewards innovation and vision.

We provide competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities. We are dedicated to ensuring that the diversity of Columbus State faculty and staff reflects that of our students and region. We are proud to be a central part of a community that embraces differences and celebrates the many cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles that define Central Ohio.

The City

Columbus, Ohio is also home to The Ohio State University and more than 30 other colleges and universities as well as the headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 companies. Columbus is one of America’s fastest-growing cities, offering a wealth of cultural experiences, dining, entertainment, shopping opportunities, and more. That’s why Central Ohio residents find living here so fulfilling, both professionally and personally.

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Development and Education Program (ECDE), in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art and The Childhood League Center, operates Wonder School a lab school for ECDE students. At Wonder School, student teachers gain the knowledge and experience they need to launch their careers and become the next generation of leaders in early childhood education. As a lab school, Wonder School invites children to participate in interest-driven learning and serves as a training classroom for future teachers.

The lead instructor provides quality instruction and maintains a positive learning environment for the children in the classroom, as well as offering support and mentorship to ECDE student teachers. The incumbent must exhibit strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to multitask while engaging with preschool children, their families and adult learners.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions described in this position description.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this position description.

Core Competencies Required

Professionalism, Managing Work, Continuous Improvement, Customer/Student/Employee Focus, Collaboration, Leadership, Guiding Interactions, Positive Approach, Planning and Organizing, Quality Orientation

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Pre-School Instruction and Learning for Students/Families

Creates a developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with the ECDE program and Wonder School philosophies. Develop weekly lesson plans in collaboration with student teachers and ECDE faculty.

Assess children's development and routinely collects data in order to further develop curriculum, required assessments, and family communication. Models and provides guidance to student teachers to help resolve issues with children when necessary. Work closely with families to set learning goals for children.

Conducts bi-annual family conferences. Provides frequent communication regarding classroom information and well as individualized information.

Ensure the safety of all children in our program. Closely follow licensing regulations related to childcare concerning the use of such technology. Keeps accurate and appropriate records in accordance with the Faculty Handbook and departmental policies.

Student Engagement and Advisement

Creates a positive classroom atmosphere that encourages active and collaborative learning for student teachers. Provides feedback on lesson plans created by ECDE students.

Provides verbal as well as written feedback on student teacher interactions with children and implementation of their lessons. Collaborates with ECDE faculty to establish a schedule for student teachers required hours as well as a schedule of activity implementation. Engages student teachers in the classroom set-up each morning and conducts an end of class discussion where summarizing the day.

Community Partner Engagement and Collaboration

Collaborates with the Columbus Museum of Art to establish a high quality, arts rich environment. Works with The Childhood League Center to maintain their Step-Up-to-Quality five-star credential rating. Meets regularly with The Childhood League Center Administration to ensure that all licensing and accreditation requirements are met in the Wonder School classroom, as well as center updates

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Contributes to the community and/or the profession as a representative of the College. Attend all Wonder School Team meetings and required trainings. Works a varying schedule, including nights & weekends to meet departmental needs. Other duties as assigned. *Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required.

Usual Physical Requirements

While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity when entering information into computer. The employee regularly sits, stands and walks for extended periods of time.

Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Employee occasionally reaches with hands or arms, climbs or balances and stoops, kneels, crouches or crawls. Employee occasionally lifts or exerts force of up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

Typical preschool classroom environment. Regular exposure to moderate noise typical to preschool rooms.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of: The Early Childhood Development and Education Program (ECDE) methodology and practices; Early childhood education instruction techniques and methods; Microsoft Office applications (Work, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); Blackboard. Skill in: strong verbal and written communications; maintaining good public relations; customer service; creative problem-solving; excellent judgement; conflict resolution; general typing; application of job software programs; course design and development; providing quality instruction, including active and collaborative teaching techniques; engage and support to a diverse student body and their families; instructional planning and presentation. Ability to: collaborate with the College’s community partners, including early childhood educational organizations, ECDE; the Columbus Museum of Art, as well as other potential stake holders; manage curriculum development projects; perform student learning outcomes assessments; exhibit flexibility in teaching strategies that focus on student-centered learning; demonstrate a commitment to improving student learning through strategies that aid student success and reflect current early childhood educational trends; develop, plan and implement goals; work independently.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education or related field. Three (3) years of experience working with adult students and children ages 3-5. State Motor Vehicle Operator's License or demonstrable ability to gain access to work site(s).

Additional Information: Applicants must be willing to work with high school students and teachers to fulfill the college’s commitment to College Credit Plus which may require travel to central Ohio’s schools. College Credit Plus (CCP) is Ohio’s dual enrollment program that provides students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking courses from Ohio colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to enhance students’ career readiness and post-secondary success, while providing a wide variety of options to college-ready students, at no or limited costs to students and families. Columbus State is fully committed to supporting College Credit Plus and invites candidates with an interest in this initiative to apply.