Preschool Teacher

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Greater Holyoke YMCA is seeking a preschool teacher to be a part of a team of teachers for our younger preschool classroom. This teacher is a team player who is able to support and work well with others and is passionate about nurturing young minds. The preschool program focuses on the social-emotional growth of children through implementation of a play-based curriculum.

OUR CULTURE:  

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing and we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Contribute to planning and implementing curriculum which promotes social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development with the support of the classroom team.
2. Establish positive relationships, interactions, and communication between children, staff, and families.
3. Work as a supportive team member within the classroom and center.
4. Ability to work with a team of teachers within the classroom.
5. Attend trainings, staff meetings, and professional development opportunities.
6. Responsible for tracking and gathering evidence of each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth for assessment purposes.
7. Participate in maintaining daily, weekly, and monthly written and verbal communication with parents/guardians.

Requirements

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause. 
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence. 
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment. 
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community. 
• Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• EEC teacher certification required
• One year or more of experience as a classroom teacher
• Knowledge of best practices and preschool educational methods
• CPR/First Aid Certification within 3 months 
• Ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Able to lift thirty pounds
• Able to sit on the floor with children