Preschool Lead Teacher

Background on Peregrine School

Peregrine School is a Reggio Emilia-inspired nonprofit independent school whose mission is to educate creative, critical thinkers. Peregrine strives to provide children with the richest and most rigorous developmentally appropriate experience possible, honoring both the spirit of childhood and the vast possibilities for human development. Peregrine School serves children ages 12 months to 6th grade; with ratios of 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 in our Early Childhood Centers; and between 1:10 and 1:14 in our Elementary School. Visit www.peregrineschool.org for more information.

Summary of Job Description

The Lead Teacher works closely with the classroom Head Teacher(s) to develop and teach class activities and supervise students during transitions, free play, and aftercare. The Lead Teacher helps lead certain science, outdoor education, arts, language, and math activities. This position demands imagination, curiosity, and compassion. Visual artists, performance artists, writers, designers, musicians, scientists, mathematicians, and all creative types and problem solvers are highly encouraged to apply! After the Head Teacher leaves for the day, the Lead Teacher is responsible for supervising the other teaching staff and managing the afternoon program.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Willingness and ability to engage in Reggio Emilia and other developmentally appropriate, child-centered, play-based approaches to teaching

• Support and lead circle time, activities, and projects according to class structure, with guidance from Head and/or Lead Teacher

• Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program, under the direction of the Head Teacher

• Support the SOAR curriculum

• Prepare and teach activities/projects, as needed

• Supervise staff after the Head Teacher leaves the classroom and coach them, as necessary, with verbal and written/email reminders; document all communication and meetings

• Facilitate the completion of closing tasks

• Be knowledgeable of and follow school policies, protocol, and expectations; ensure that anyone under their supervision is as well

• Be knowledgeable and put into practice the schools health and safety guidelines

• Engage students in a nurturing manner that uses open-ended questions and positive guidance techniques

• Engage with groups of students in play, games, and activities, according to class ratios

• Create a physically safe, attractive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment

• Help serve and clean up meals

• Help maintain classroom and garden through cleaning, organization, and yard work

• Work collaboratively with the team to maintain classroom ratios

• Communicate any immediate necessities to parents at the end of the day such as student injury/incident reports, and contribute to other parent communication, such as class emails/blogs

• Address situations with students, families, and/or staff promptly as they occur

• Maintain open communication with the team and supervising Head Teacher on a regular basis

• Check work email for school and class communication, and keep updated on important dates and information communicated

• Consult with Head Teacher or other appropriate teacher(s) when uncertain about how to handle a situation

• Participate in weekly staff meetings

• Attend professional development days

• Participate in school events and other extensions of classroom work and school program

• Collaborate with the Head Teacher to cover extra and shared duties

• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 3 Weeks of Paid School Holidays, i.e., 2 weeks for winter break and 1 week for Spring Break

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Staff Lunch is provided daily.

• Paid Staff Development Days

• Tuition remission

• Group Rate Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• CalSavers Retirement Plan

• Collaborative Work Environment

Qualifications

• At least 12 Early Childhood Education units or equivalent; AA/AS or/BS in Early Childhood Education, Human Development

• Experience working with preschool children in a professional setting is preferred

• Strong familiarity with and experience with Reggio-Emilia and other child-centered, play-based approaches to teaching

• Understanding of and commitment to Peregrine School's mission and philosophy

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels

• CPR/FirstAid preferred, but not required

Requirements / Qualifications

Requirements / Qualifications