Early Childhood Dean

The Alexander Dawson School

Located in the Summerlin community of Las Vegas, Nevada, The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain is a top-ranked independent school guiding students from Early Childhood through grade eight. Our student-centered program is committed to modern learning and design-driven innovation, championing the collaboration of emerging technologies and teaching techniques. We equally prioritize a program rooted in our Core Values in support of our students' physical safety, mental health and wellness, and balanced living as the foundation for lifelong success and happiness. At the very heart of the Dawson experience is the strong connection between the adults on campus and our students. This collaboration fosters an authentic community and caring learning environment committed to helping our young learners become compassionate, empathetic, and globally focused individuals.

Early Childhood Program

Guided by the Mission of the School and driven by Alexander Dawson’s strategic plan, the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is a place of joyful learning. The ECEC faculty are caring, creative, and knowledgeable teachers passionate about whole-child education. As a modern learning institute and a Challenge Success school, Dawson teachers create lessons and learning environments that balance the intersection of academic knowledge, competency skills, and habits of mind. Remaining current on best practices related to competency-based education and Project-Based Learning is a top priority for all Dawson faculty. ECEC teachers, students, and families value the strong sense of community and the personalized learning experiences the School provides through its literacy, math, social studies, science, art, music, health & fitness, STEAM creations, library, and SEL curriculum. The ECEC culture emphasizes team dynamics and an ongoing commitment to learning from others. The Early Childhood Education Center is proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

• Views the Early Childhood program as a feeder into the K-8 experience and supports these efforts accordingly
• Utilizes research and best practices of early childhood programming to support curriculum and instructional initiatives
• Collaborates with departments across campus to streamline a developmentally appropriate EC experience
• With Head of EC & LS and Assistant Head of EC & LS develops and regularly updates a play-based and personalized “new excellence” experience for all EC students
• Designs Community Share events that align with Dawson’s throughline
• Leads the design and coordination of Week of the Young Child

• Attends to student behavioral needs
• Supervises EC teaching assistants
• Mentors, trains, and evaluates EC faculty and staff
• Facilitates strategy meetings for student academic and social-emotional development involving families for educational consultations and honest conversation
• Design and oversee program curricula and create and maintain student progress data system
• Serve as a member of the Admissions team to assist with testing and student shadow days

• Manages daily operations such as creating and modifying schedules, overseeing duty schedules and coverage, and helping during lunch service
• Assists the EC Program Manager with substitute teacher coverage coordination
• Oversees the required CEU childcare licensing hours and licenses
• Ensures all EC Faculty, after-care teachers, BASE teachers, and substitute teachers are in compliance with CEU hours and licensing requirements in partnership with the Program Coordinator
• Works with the Executive Compliance Officer to ensure all licensure requirements are met
• Works duties as assigned such as carpool and recess coverage

• Facilitates teacher development that specializes in early childhood and provides a foundation for future Dawson success
• When needed, assists the Admissions team by administering assessments, giving tours, and attending recruitment events
• Closely collaborates with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that information and updates are shared within the School community and achievements are celebrated
• Develops family partnerships and educates the community about developmentally appropriate experiences in EC and K-8 programming
• Presents at community events such as family orientations, open houses, etc.

• Must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related area; Master's degree preferred
• A minimum of 3 years of successful classroom-lead teaching
• Outstanding organizational and facilitation ability with demonstrated ability to bring groups together for a common goal
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced non-profit environment that values collaboration, communication, and a strong work ethic

Work Environment:

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

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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 essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.