Pleasant Valley Cooperative Preschool

Toddler & Preschool Teacher Opportunity 

Pleasant Valley Cooperative Preschool (the Co-op) is looking for its next teacher–someone who is available to teach for the upcoming school year, embrace the co-op model, and understand the importance of providing positive leadership, problem-solving, emergent curriculum, anti-bias, and play-based learning. 

The Ideal Candidate 
The ideal candidate will have an education in Early Childhood Development or Early Childhood Education, 1+ years of experience in early education (preferably in a play-based model), experience working collaboratively with other teachers in a learning environment, and finding joy working alongside parents/guardians of preschool-aged children. The position requires a solid understanding of Early Childhood Development and an ability to communicate that knowledge to staff and families through mentoring and educating. 

The candidate should have classroom experience (ideally in a play-based or cooperative model environment), an innate desire to play, a love of the outdoors, the ability to educate and communicate with a diverse group of children and adults, and a love for teaching children. 

This position is for teaching two separate classes. 

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is our Preschool class (age 3) from 9:00-12:00. Tuesday and Thursday is our Toddler class (age 2) from 9:00-11:30. 

Qualifications 

• A minimum Associate Degree in Early Childhood Studies, Early Childhood Education, related field or equivalent experience considered
• 1+ years of experience teaching young children, preferably in a play-based model (Co-op preschool experience a plus)
• Experience in leading, supervising, and mentoring adults
• Confidence and experience speaking and teaching diverse groups of adults (experience leading parent education a plus)
• A firm understanding and belief in play-based education
• Strong organizational and communication skills (in person and in written communications) 

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Google Apps (Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, etc.)
• Experienced and skilled in collaborating and developing curriculum with other teachers
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. regularly (moving play equipment, cleaning up after children)
• Successful completion of background check is required

Detailed Job Description 
The goal of teachers and parents at P.V. Co-op is to provide a warm, nurturing, safe, and loving environment where self-concepts are enhanced, independence is encouraged, and individuality is respected. To this end, the specific responsibilities included, but are not limited to the following: 

• Interactions With Children

1. 1. Directly supervises children at all times
   2. Communicates frequently with children throughout the day, naming objects, and actions, using who, what, when, where, and why, and open-ended questions using positive phrasing with children
   3. Exhibits behavior management consistent with the co-op philosophy, including reflecting children’s feelings, approaching children to speak with them at their level, directing comments toward children’s behavior, not at the children themselves, etc
   4. Co-plays/interacts with children during play activities both indoors and on the playground
   5. Treat each child with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural and socio-economic diversity of the population
   6. Responds to the individual needs and learning styles of children
   7. Respond to children in distress promptly and appropriately
   8. Is responsible for all mealtime activities, helps children serve themselves family-style, and sits with children; preferably eats with them. Monitors children closely during meals.

• Health and safety

• 1. Responsible for the welfare, health, and safety of the children in the class
  2. Ensures that children are supervised at all times and assists in the bathroom
  3. Assists calmly in evacuation of the building in an emergency and in practice drills, and is able to respond to any emergency. Documents all drills on the posted log sheet
  4. Supervises to ensure that working parents clean and disinfect mouthed toys before next use and chairs and toys when soiled
  5. Compliance with applicable universal precautions and infection control guidelines and procedures
  6. Displays familiarity with and follows Standard Health Care Policies, and adheres to Best practices by NAEYC, Recreation and Parks, and P.V. Co-op Handbook policies
  7. Protects the safety of all children in the program. Completes an Ouch Report for any injury/incident, provides a copy to parent/guardian and verbal report to the Director, and documents the incident in the Ouch Report log
  8. Reports immediately any hazards in the environment, any health issues and illnesses, and physical injury/incident to the Director and/or Board
• Planning 

1. 1. Plans activities reflecting the anti-bias philosophy of PV Co-op with age-appropriate and individualized activities
   2. Provides a well-balanced schedule of individual/group activities and active/quiet activities with variations of structure
   3. Work with co-teacher to plan and provide age-appropriate outdoor activities and materials
   4. Submit monthly curriculum plans to the Director by the 25th of the month for the upcoming month
   5. Plans open-ended activities with an emphasis on process orientation and developmentally appropriate curriculum within the guidelines of The Creative Curriculum
   6. Prepares or makes available in advance, materials needed for planned activities. Works with Art parent for assistance. Provides Art parent 2 weeks notice for projects.
   7. Set up and clean up the classroom environment, taking care of and returning co-op property to its proper place
   8. Plans supervised activities for outdoors, or indoor gross motor play during severe inclement weather which prevents outdoor play
   9. Plan circle time to include hands-on, interactive activities including but not limited to music, movement, flannels, & stories
   10. Read to children daily
   11. Plans and provides appropriate activities to ensure smooth transitions throughout the day
   12. Prepares for conferences by keeping records, samples, and other evidence of growth and development for each child throughout the year
   13. Uses Ages and Stages for Preschool, and/or DRDP developed by the California Department of Education as a tool for parent conferences in Feb/March

• Interactions With Parents – P.V. Co-op establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture.

1. 1. Acknowledges parent and child with a greeting each morning
   2. Communicates with parents during class in a non-disruptive manner, giving positive feedback, educational anecdotes, constructive advice, and developmental insights as needed or requested, and remains impartial in religious practices
   3. Uses kept records, samples, and other evidence of growth and development for each child as a tool in discussions with parents
   4. Conducts parent conferences at least once a year in Feb/March. Using Ages and Stages and CA. Requirements – Desired Results
   5. Models positive guidance, and appropriate facilitation for parents as teachers in the class
   6. Treats parents with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural, religious and socio-economic diversity of the population
   7. Conduct self in a professional manner as described in NAEYC’s Code of Ethics. Maintaining a professional distance as a teacher, while keeping relationships with parents
   8. Familiarize working parents with the day’s classroom activities and its underlying learning and explains how to facilitate learning through the day’s activities.
   9. Receives and relays parent feedback, concerns about children or other parents, programming, etc. to the attention of the Director
   10. Ensures items (papers, dirty clothes, etc.) are taken home from children’s cubbies and parents attend to their parent folders regularly
   11. Respect the confidentiality of families and take care not to speak in front of the children about that child or other children
   12. Participates in and/or facilitates parent conferences, as needed
   13. Accommodates special requests from parents whenever age-appropriate and possible
   14. Knowledgeable and supportive of co-op parents and their school or class jobs (classroom, board, or school-wide)
   15. Attends and presents information at monthly parent meetings (held during class) by sharing announcements, and class events, shares a Child Development topic, and provides a related article for parents to take home to read
   16. Serves as a resource for parents regarding child issues, concerns, and development

• Classroom Appearance

1. 1. Creates a classroom environment reflecting the diversity of children and families
   2. Changes classroom areas to reflect children’s interests, including all areas of the room; i.e. blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, literacy, art, science, math, and music.
   3. Shares classroom design duties fairly with co-workers
   4. Label materials with pictures and words to create a literacy-rich environment with easy identification by children
   5. Attractively displays children’s artwork, using borders and stenciled lettering with the assistance of the Art and Crafts Parent
   6. Ensures parent volunteers leave the classroom at the end of the day with tables cleaned, dishes washed, and floors free of paint, glue, debris, and toys. If the working parent does not leave the classroom clean, it is your job to ensure floors and counters are cleared of toys and art, and dishes are done.
   7. Maintains a safe, tidy classroom and outdoor learning environment

• Use Of Supervision

1. 1. Prepares for and contributes to regular staff meetings
   2. Attends, participates in, and contributes constructively to monthly Board of Directors meetings, Clean-up Days, Orientation, Open Houses, Co-op events and field trips, and community events
   3. As an ex-officio member of the board, represents what is best for the longevity of the Co-op, while honoring their charter as a parent-owned program
   4. Inform the Director and/or Board President of any pertinent information regarding children, parents, or other staff
   5. Sets professional goals and objectives, and meets with the Director twice a year to evaluate and update, as needed
   6. Seeks supervision and remains open to supervisor’s suggestions, speaking openly and honestly
   7. Meets deadlines in completing lesson plans, self-evaluations, contributions, progress reports, or any other reports requested by the Director or Board President

• General Professionalism 

1. 1. Has good work habits, is in place and ready to work at the scheduled time, and shows no undue tardiness or absenteeism
   2. Documents and remains current with state requirements for physical examination, TB testing, First-Aid, CPR (every other year), Mandated Reporting (every other year) on-line training, etc.
   3. Follows daily schedule as set by Director, Staff, and Board, and completes a time sheet
   4. Follows opening and closing procedures as indicated
   5. Is an encouraging representative of the P.V. Co-op to the co-op families and to the community
   6. Follows licensing guidelines, is familiar with the Recreation & Park District’s contract and is well-read and adheres to P.V. Co-op Handbook and NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct
   7. Manages scheduling replacement on sick days and prepares lesson plans and materials for activities for use by a substitute when absent
   8. Supports and directs parent volunteers in the policies, practices, and procedures of P.V. Co-op including, but not limited to classroom schedules, behavior management, lesson planning, and general classroom upkeep
   9. Cooperates with and shows respect for co-workers, parent/guardian volunteers, and children at all levels
   10. Works closely with parents/guardians as teacher assistants in the class without favoritism or discrimination towards any families
   11. Reflects families’ culture, faith, and traditions with respect
   12. Approaches problems constructively, taking initiative to correct problems whenever possible, using the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct as a guide
   13. Meets monthly with staff and contributes ideas for better servicing children and co-op families
   14. Ensures documentation of classroom attendance on an ongoing basis; being aware of the number of children present at all times
   15. Dresses in a professional manner as well as one that allows active participation with children. Personal appearance is neat and clean
   16. Knowledge of current issues in the field of Early Childhood Education
   17. Participates in local workshops, NAEYC, CCPPNS and other events when possible, and approved by the Board (membership costs are covered by the co-op)
   18. Familiar with the Pleasant Valley Cooperative Preschool Handbook for parents and participate and adhere to its information.

Salary 
The salary range is approximately $20 to $22 per hour, depending on experience and the final agreed-upon scope of work. The Co-op operates on a 10-month academic year, closely following the Pleasant Valley School District calendar. 

Benefits 
Benefits may include tuition waivers, paid time off, professional development, flexible schedules, and opportunities to bring children to work. 

Hours
Estimated hours are 25-30 hours per week. Teaching and prep time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00-1:30; and Tuesday and Thursday 8:00-1:00 each week. Plus, paid school events, meetings, and in-service days during the 10-month academic year and limited summer month hours. Teaching days, job duties, and benefits have some flexibility around the needs and strengths of the applicant.