Early Childhood Classroom Educator

Position Summary

Linda and Ben Nighthorse Campbell Child and Family Center (CCFC) is a multi-purpose facility that trains teachers, parents, and other advocates for young children. The center provides quality care and education for young children ages 1-5 (including children with disabilities). The center supports the state-approved Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Program (birth-Grade 3) that is located within the Fort Lewis College Teacher Education Department. Each classroom is led by a highly qualified educator that who meets the standards as outlined by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Salary Starting at $17-19hr depending on experience, with a sign-on bonus of $1,500 to be paid after successful completion of 90 days of employment, plus a comprehensive benefits package .

Minimum Qualifications

• Education – Meet minimum Colorado Department of Human Services Licensing requirements - Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or a professional development plan to obtain an AA in ECE having already completed a minimum of (2) three credit college courses from a regionally accredited college or university with one class being ECE 101 and one class being ECE 103 plus 24 months of professional practice with preschool/toddler age children
• Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate expectations for young children 6 weeks through 5 years of age
• Demonstrate ability to stay calm in all situations and to respond to children in a quiet, reassuring manner
• Awareness of healthy nutrition practices for ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age
• Demonstrate knowledge of licensing regulations for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health
• Cognizant of need to adjust and/or modify activities to meet the developmental needs of each child
• Develop and maintain healthy relationships with children and families
• Open-minded and non-judgmental – able to see each circumstance based on its own merits
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Classroom management skills including methods and tactics for managing challenging behaviors
• Colorado Shines Early Childhood Credential Level 3 or better

Preferred Qualifications

• Education - Bachelor’s degree in Human Development, Early Childhood Education or comparable field as outlined by the Department of Human Services
• One year of professional experience with preschool/toddler age children
• Completed training and certification in Incredible Years Curriculum and Classroom Management
• Proficient and competent with Teaching Strategies Assessments
• Colorado Shines Early Childhood Credential Level 5 or better

Major Responsibilities

• Plan and implement intentional, developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote the social and emotional development, physical development and health, cognitive development, language and literacy development, and general learning competencies of each child served
• Establish and maintain a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment
• Observe, document, and assess children’s learning and development using guidelines established by the profession, (Teaching Strategies Gold)
• Develop reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with families; taking opportunities to form a caring, nurturing, and responsive relationship with a primary group of children and their families.
• Advocate for the needs of children and their families
• Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning including all mandatory training (yearly 15 hours of continuing education, Child Abuse reporting and recognition, Shaken baby training, CPR, First Aid, and Standard Precautions).
• Implement a consistent schedule, which includes group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities skill developments, meals, and effective transition between activities.
• Participate with children in group and individual activities.
• Treat all children, parents, and staff with dignity and respect.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom. Communicating with families regularly utilizing written, and digital communication, this includes twice a year parent teacher conference.
• Maintain a professional attitude and loyalty to the program in accordance to the educational philosophy of the center.
• Complete administrative recordkeeping as required by the Center including but not limited to; leave reports, incident reports, Record of meals served, parent drop-off and pick-ups, student attendance, fire drills, medication and other regulated activities.
• Assist with general housekeeping/sanitation and disinfection and maintain a classroom cleaning schedule to ensure the health and safety of children and staff.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Effectively train, supervise, utilize, and support assistant teachers.
• Supervise and utilize student teachers, work study students, and volunteers placed in the classroom in an effective and appropriate way.
• Source and maintain documentation necessary to meet the quality standards of NAEYC
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Work Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Considerable noise (i.e. children’s voices, music, walkie talkies).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Environment involves considerable use of sanitation and disinfection products

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

• Sit on the floor with children
• Sit in child size chairs (or appropriate adult chair) with children at mealtimes and during art and other table top activities
• Dance and play with the children
• Bend over child size sink to assist children to wash hands,
  • upon arrival,
  • before and after meals,
  • after diaper changes,
  • after playing in the water table,
  • after playing outside
• Serve meals to children and provide seconds should they be requested
• Assist children with toothbrushing activities
• Sitting on the floor next to children while calming to sleep, while reading a book, during circle time and when playing in centers
• Preform daily health checks for each child and inform director of any concern
• Providing hygiene care for all children including
  • Changing soiled clothes
  • Applying sunscreen
  • Wiping noses and faces
  • Cleaning up after ill children and sanitizing area
  • Be able to perform minor first aide
• Check diapers hourly and change when wet or soiled.
• Use appropriate language with children when redirecting their choices and play
• Be able to move quickly to intervene should the children make unsafe choices or are in physical conflict.
• Wash and sanitize child size tables prior to meal and immediately after meals and after all art activities
• Sweep floors when visibly soiled and after meals
• Wash and sanitize changing table after each use
• Clean the bathroom if visibly soiled, disinfect immediately after.
• Sanitize toys in classroom each day
• Wash bedding and mouthed play items
• Wash dishes after meals
• Stack chairs at the end of the day so that the cleaning crew can clean the room
• Know where all children are at all times
• Setting out cots for nap
• Take walks with children around campus – for the one-year old room this entails the ability to push a multi-child stroller. (one is for 6 kids)
• Daily inspect playground for safety hazards, broken toys, trash etc and remedy immediately
• Remove tarp from sandbox in the morning and replace each evening after children leave the building
• Sweep sand off walking path on playground

Compensation

Salary Starting at $17-19hr depending on experience, with a sign-on bonus of $1,500 to be paid after successful completion of 90 days of employment, plus a comprehensive benefits package .

Start ASAP


Application Process
A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position
  • Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion. “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?”
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to:

Peggy Ferguson

CCProfessional-Search@fortlewis.edu

Application materials received by May 10, 2022, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts, and pass a background check.