Early Childhood Educator: Classroom Teacher

Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, at the University of Arkansas

The Early Childhood Educator - Classroom Teacher (teaching associate) will work as a team member to develop predictable, yet flexible, routines and rituals that support children and families. The teaching associate, who may work with children 8 weeks to 5 years, will collaboratively design and implement developmentally appropriate, emergent, and play-based curriculum for children. The teaching associate will follow all licensing requirements and model nationally recommended practices for children, colleagues, university students, families, and other school visitors. The teaching associate will document and communicate the development of children by engaging in activities that include, but are not limited to: completing program-adopted assessment practices, collecting artifacts of learning, preparing weekly journals of classroom experiences, conducting parent-teacher conference, and maintaining classroom and children’s portfolios. The teaching associate will also model for and mentor new teaching staff including part-time employees, undergraduate students and aides.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Full-time and part-time positions are available.

• Ability to design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Ability to understand the NAEYC accreditation process
• Ability to model for and mentor undergraduate students and hourly aides

• An associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, human development/family studies, early childhood special education or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education

OR

• Candidates may also be considered with an equivalency to an associate’s degree (AA) in early childhood education, which is defined by NAEYC as at least 60 college/university credits with at least 30 college credits in early childhood education, early childhood education, child development, elementary education, human development/family studies, or early childhood special education or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least two years experience working with young children and/or directing early childhood programs
• Demonstrated participation in professional development and/or professional organizations

• Bachelor degree (BA/BS) in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, human development/family studies, early childhood special education or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education

OR

• An equivalency of a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education, which is defined by NAEYC as a baccalaureate degree in any discipline with at least 36 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, human development/family studies, or early childhood special education from an accredited institution of higher education

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.