Position : Support Educator (Birth through Five)
Contract Duration : September 2024 - August 2025
Starting Salary : $22.50 hourly
Application Deadline : Friday, June 21, 2024

About Us:

At Hilltop, we pride ourselves on our unique and supportive community structure. Our leadership team handles the strategic and operational aspects of our organization while our programming team bridges the overarching vision with daily educational practices. Our dedicated teaching team engages directly with children, bringing our educational vision to life. Each role within our team is crucial, contributing to our mission and impacting everything we do.

Benefits:

At Hilltop, we value and support our educators by offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote their well-being and professional growth. Our benefits include competitive salaries, robust health insurance, ample paid time off, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring our educators thrive both in and out of the classroom.

• Competitive Salary : Approximately $22.50/hour ($46,800 annually) with 1 to 2 years of prior experience.
• Insurance : Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life insurance included.
• Retirement Plan : Optional retirement plan with a 3% employer match.
• Childcare : Childcare tuition assistance available.
• Transportation : Orca transportation card provided.
• Paid Time Off : Four weeks of paid time off (PTO) each year.
• Paid Holidays : Time off for Federal Holidays and your birthday.
• Professional Development : Paid continuing education training.
• Professional Support :
  • Intensive training during the first two years of employment.
  • Weekly individualized meetings and reflections with a mentor.
  • Monthly early closure days for team reflection and planning.
  • Seven in-service professional development days per year.
  • An annual three-day faculty retreat.
  • Support from two program coordinators and a well-experienced admin team.

Growth Opportunities:

At Hilltop, we believe in nurturing our educators' professional growth. There are numerous opportunities for career advancement within our organization, allowing you to expand your skills and take on new challenges.

Work-Life Balance:

We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our generous PTO policy, flexible working conditions, and supportive team environment help ensure that you can thrive both professionally and personally.

Testimonials:

"Working at Hilltop has been a transformative experience. The collaborative environment and professional development opportunities have helped me grow both as an educator and an individual." - Current Hilltop Educator

"The supportive community at Hilltop makes coming to work each day a joy. I love seeing the positive impact we have on the children's lives." - Current Hilltop Educator

Community and Impact:

As a Lead Primary Educator, you will have a profound impact on the community and the lives of the children you teach. Your role is not just about educating; it's about inspiring, nurturing, and contributing to a positive and supportive learning environment.

Job Responsibilities:

As a Support Educator, you will be an integral part of a teaching team consisting of 5-12 educators in a learning pod, depending on the age group. Educators will be placed in a teaching team based on their experience, age preference, and education level. Your responsibilities will include:

• Support lead educators implement age-appropriate curricula.
• Collaborate with lead educators to plan and reflect on children’s experiences.
• Engage with children in meaningful and educational learning activities.
• Participating in ongoing professional development and training.
• Building strong professional relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

Learning Pods:

At Hilltop, our educators work within structured learning pods designed to provide personalized and attentive care for each child. These pods ensure a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for deeper connections and more effective teaching. Each pod is supported by a dedicated team of educators, support staff, and mentor educators to maintain a high-quality learning environment.

Birth through One :

• Ratio : 1:3
• Group Size : 9 per classroom in a pod of three rooms.
• Staffing : 3 educators assigned to each room, 2 support staff for breaks, and 1 mentor educator for hands-on coaching.

One through Two :

• Ratio : 1:6
• Group Size : 12 per classroom in a pod of three rooms.
• Staffing : 2 educators assigned to each room, 2 support educators, and 1 mentor educator dedicated to the pod.

Two through Three :

• Ratio : 1:7 (remains for the full school year despite state ratio changes at 30 months)
• Group Size : 14 per classroom in a pod of three rooms.
• Staffing : 2 educators assigned to each room, 2 support educators, and 1 mentor educator dedicated to the pod.

Three through Five (Full-day/Full-year) :

• Ratio : 1:8
• Max Group Size : 16 per classroom in two rooms.
• Staffing : 2 educators assigned to each room, 1 support educator, and 1 mentor educator dedicated to the pod.

Three through Five (Seattle Preschool Program - SPP) :

• Ratio : 1:9
• Group Size : 18 per classroom in two rooms.
• Staffing : 2 educators assigned to each room, 1 support educator, and 1 mentor educator dedicated to the pod.

School-Age (Kindergarten to Second Grade) :

• Ratio : 1:14
• Group Size : 42 total children between two rooms.
• Staffing : 3 educators assigned to the pod with 1 mentor educator.
  • Shares space with SPP and uses support educators from Birth through One pod and SPP pod.
  • Full-Day Care offered on Non-School days and summer.

Qualifications:

• Minimum requirement of 1-2 years’ experience working with children birth through five. Preferred candidates with an associate degree in early childhood education.
• Registration with MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) is required at hire.
• Completion of STARS Basic 30-hour Childcare course. All continuing education must be state-approved and linked through the MERIT system.
• Completion of at least 10 hours of MERIT training annually or one college credit.
• Portable Background Criminal record clearance.
• Food Worker Card.
• First Aid/CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens/HIV training.
• Mandated Reporter Training.
• Vaccination Record.
• Maintain Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families Trainings.
• Medication Management, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness, Families Experiencing Homelessness, Abusive Head Trauma within 1 Month of Hire.

Our Educational Philosophy:

At Hilltop, we hold a profound respect for the role of the educator and the field of Early Childhood Education. Our image of the child is central to our teaching approach. We believe in creating an environment where educators can reflect on children’s experiences and collaboratively plan future learning opportunities. Our focus is on fostering an intellectually rigorous environment that aligns with our educational vision.

Join Our Team:

If you are passionate about Early Childhood Education and are looking to join a supportive and dynamic team, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to become a part of Hilltop’s thriving educational community.