Assistant Early Childhood Director

Position Purpose:

Early Childhood faculty members are a part of the Mountain Academy community at Teton Science Schools. The Assistant Director of Early Childhood will implement Place-Based education through taking inspiration from the practices of nature-based learning and the Reggio Emilia philosophy. As a lead teacher, they will inspire children to learn and build community as they foster curiosity and engagement, as well as develop social and emotional skills. As a lead teacher they will help provide mentorship and modeling to newer teachers. The Assistant Director will support the Early Childhood team to build strong relationships with colleagues, children, and families. Within the collaborative work environment of TSS, the Assistant Director and all faculty members should expect to be contributing team members, while also taking the initiative to work autonomously. In addition to all teaching roles and responsibilities, the Assistant Director will support the Director and all faculty members to create safe and inviting environments for our youngest community members and provide stimulating experiences for them each day.The Assistant Director will support the Director in daily operations of the Early Childhood program, help to maintain all state licensing requirements with the Wyoming Department of Family Services, assist the Director in hiring and training new faculty, and support the Director with creating schedules and organizing all required paperwork.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree Preferred
• At least 5 years experience in a relevant field
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external constituents
• Strong speaking and written communication skills
• Ability to manage risk and make leadership decisions in front and backcountry settings.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products and Google Apps
• Familiarity with place-based education, reggio emilia and nature based practices
• Demonstrated experience leading high functioning teams towards a common mission

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Able to sit on the floor, be outside in all types of weather, and pick up heavy objects
• Sometimes indoors in an office setting: sitting and standing for long stretches while using a computer
• May be expected to work evenings, weekends or overtime to support special programs/events
• Able to drive 15 passenger vans & minibuses with participants

Responsibilities:

Assistant Director of Early Childhood (JC)

• Assist the director in daily operations of the Early Childhood Program at Mountain Academy including maintaining and upholding accurate ratios and abiding by all licensing rules and regulations

• Acting as point person in the absence of the Director

• Support director in maintaining and upholding all state licensing requirements both for facility and staff

• Assist the director in interviewing, hiring, and training new faculty and staff

• Support director with creating schedules, organizing and filing required paperwork, and maintaining all attendance records

• Assist with planning and executing the various parent events throughout the year such as parent nights and moving up celebrations

• Assisting the director with the care and maintenance of all learning environments that make up our early childhood facility.

• Support the director during the summer months with the following: summer program logistics, hiring and training, modeling for new instructors, providing coverage if a teacher is absent (summer instructor or Young Toddler/Toddler program), being the point person if the director is absent, and assisting with logistics needed to get ready for the following school year.

• Lead Preschool Teacher for Early Childhood Program: Responsible for all curriculum and instruction for Preschool Classroom during the school year.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

• Develop a curriculum that is authentic, individualized, and aligned with the program philosophy

• Make Learning Visible through documentation

• Be prepared with materials, lesson plans, and intentionality

• Maintain a dynamic, engaging, organized, and inviting learning environment

• Create written documentation throughout the year to document children's learnings and growth

• Maintain State of Wyoming Statewide Training and Resource System (STARS) hours

• Provide all necessary care for children such as providing support with bathrooms, food, and getting dressed.

Advisory

• Act as advisor and point of contact for families

• Communicate with parents about student successes, challenges, and other updates

• Participate and plan for two learning team conferences a year (fall and spring)

Team

• Collaborate on integrated projects and intentions

• Complete daily duties: leading meetings, leading focused explorations, lunch, rest time, storytime, and cleaning

• Provide internal coverage if substitutes are not available

• Take part in Professional Development opportunities throughout the year

• Attend and participate in weekly team meetings

• Alighn with team culture and goals

• Attend and participate in all parent events throughout the year

One TSS Responsibilities

• Proactively and positively shares the TSS mission and program structure with external stakeholders.

• Further development of practice and implementation of place-based education pedagogies.

This job description is not meant to state or imply that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their manager in compliance with federal and state laws.