What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructional Mentor position at SUPPORT FOR EARLY LEARNING & FAMILIES?
Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF) seeks an experienced, engaging, and dedicated Instructional Mentor to join our educational community. This is a full-time, non-exempt position reporting directly to the Center Director. This position is based in Vancouver, WA.
Who is SELF?
Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF) is a nonprofit organization founded in response to the question, “How can we work to improve opportunities for our community’s children?” This question is at the heart of the work that we do.
SELF Mission:?
Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF) convenes and mobilizes partners and stakeholders throughout Southwest Washington to promote community awareness and advocacy for early learning, kindergarten readiness and school success for all children.
We work in partnership with the Educational Service District (ESD) 112 to staff and facilitate numerous childcare centers in the southwest Washington area. Our programs are designed to support children at ages ranging from birth, to preschool, to school age. We have program types to support children of all backgrounds and needs. We pride ourselves on fostering a community that helps our mission by helping each other.
Job Title: Instructional Mentor
Employment Status: Full-time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Center Director
Supervises: N/A
About the Instructional Mentor Position:
Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Instructional Mentor supports teaching staff in their practices, development, and growth in alignment with program pedagogy and service plan outcomes. The Instructional Mentor fosters respectful and responsive relationships with Center staff members and external agency support specialists in order to support teaching and care practices through direct observations, coaching, and modeling.
The Instructional Mentor will collaborate with the Center Director and external agency support specialists to create individualized and classroom focused strategies to support the development and refinement of practices and approaches that are responsive to the emergent needs of children and is alignment with quality early childhood practices. The Instructional Mentor will provide support and mentorship utilizing a strengths-based approach that encompasses existing knowledge and strengths to identify practices requiring improvement and/or the implementation of new approaches. In addition, the Instructional Mentor will step into ratio as needed to provide relief for required breaks as well as to substitute when call-outs/absences occur.
The successful candidate will have extensive direct teaching experience, including supporting children with varied abilities, and demonstrated competence as a leader and coach. The Instructional Mentor serves as substitute Center Director when needed to maintain Center licensing requirements.
What could you bring to SELF?:
- Energetic, and mission-focused with a passion for early childhood development, learning and fun!
- Professional and positive disposition that demonstrates a strong work ethic, integrity and reliability.
- Passionate about supporting the growth and development of children through child-lead programming
- Collaborative, positive, and team oriented.
- Proactive in actively contributing to the learning and work environment and demonstrating the ability to handle multiple priorities and emergent program needs.
- Appreciation for and commitment to supporting children and families with diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.
- Interest in professional development and growth.
What could SELF offer you?
- A competitive compensation package with an hourly position range. This position is eligible for overtime.
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- A 401(k)-retirement savings plan with up to 2.5% employer match.
- PTO
- Paid holidays
- Life Insurance- $10,000.
- The general work schedule is Monday through Friday business hours, with some work hour flexibility as needed.
- Availability is requested occasionally for paid in-service meetings or professional development events, or other work needs.
- Discounted childcare for pre-school and school-aged children.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Quarterly passes to Columbia Sportswear and Adidas employee store.
- A collaborative, mission-focused organizational culture with continuous professional development opportunities.
- An opportunity to make a difference in our community!
Qualifications and Skills:
- High school diploma or GED
- Must have at least 45 ECE credits per state requirement.
- 18 years of age or older.
- Knowledge of and experience with teaching early childhood (birth – 5 years of age), including those who have been impacted by trauma and/or who have delays and disabilities.
- Possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to recognize trauma and approaches to building resiliency with children and adults.
- Possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to accurately utilize assessment tools and implementation of guidance techniques for teaching staff positions.
- Possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to facilitate job embedded professional development, including modeling, coaching, and engage in reflective conversations.
- Ability to work within a team and work effectively with other people.
- Ability to follow directions and follow through efficiently on assigned tasks.
- Must demonstrate the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, able to make good judgements, creative, reliable, and dependable. Must present a professional demeanor in behavior and dress.
- Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds of children, families, staff, and community members.
- Comply with Support for Early Learning and Families Employee Handbook of policies and procedures.
- Understand and comply with the rules and requirements as defined by the Department of Children, Youth & Families and the Educational Services District 112 program standards.
- Ability to work early in the mornings and occasional evenings, as needed.
