part-time preschool Teacher

Job Overview

Lakewood Cooperative Preschool is hiring a part-time preschool teacher to support our Bumblebee class (ages 18 months - 2.5 years old) for an average of 10 hours per week. We are looking for a nurturing, supportive, and curious teacher who values the importance of self-directed and collaborative play. Along with helping to create a classroom environment designed to increase preschoolers levels of social competence and to problem solve in a caring way, you will work together with the teachers and parent educators to further the early-childhood education of parents.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Facilitate the Bumblebee class (ages 18 months to 2.5 years) Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30, including preparing for class and wrapping up after class

  • Lead circle time, supervise free-choice activities, classroom management and playground supervision

  • Work with the Head Teacher to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum

  • Mentor parents/caretakers in their roles as classroom teaching assistants

  • Maintain positive interactions with children

  • Follow Health and Safety guidelines included in the Risk Management Manual

  • Facilitate the monthly Bumblebee parent meetings and coordinate with the Parent Educator in setting the agenda

  • Offer, schedule and undertake bi-annual parent check-ins for Bumblebee families 

  • Attend a minimum of 5 board meetings (held monthly)

  • Attend monthly teachers meetings as scheduled by the Head Teacher for planning and alignment, as well as the annual minimum 3 meetings with Teachers and Parent Educator(s) as scheduled by the Head Teacher

  • Assist in the management of school supplies and other light administrative duties as requested by the Head Teacher 

  • Collaborate with the teaching staff and Parent Educator(s) to operate a high quality children's program and to educate parents/caregivers on child development issues and parenting skills

  • Attend workshops, classes, and/or observe in other programs to increase teaching skills 

  • Participate in school events, such as, back to school and end of year picnics, open house(s), new student play dates, parent/caregiver orientation, and/or other similar events

  • Assist the Teachers, parent volunteers and families to plan and undertake beginning-of-year set-up prior to the start date in September and the end-of-year clean up in June

Schedule

  • Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-11:30 plus time for classroom prep and planning (generally before and after class). Attendance is also required at various meetings and school events, often during evening hours (7-9pm).

  • The contract term is August 2024 - June 2025, an average of 10 hours per week.

Qualifications 

  • Experience and/or educational background in early childhood education

  • Experience working with preschool age children in a co-op setting

  • Ability to develop age-appropriate curriculum & activities for children through play-based learning

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with both children and adults

  • Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the collaborative nature of a cooperative school

  • Ability to comfortably to move frequently between different physical classroom stations (kitchen, play areas, circle time, outdoors/playground etc.) and position self to interact with children in these areas

  • Familiarity with and commitment to anti-bias education

  • First Aid and CPR certifications, or ability to obtain prior to start date

  • Highly organized, good written and verbal skills, excellent problem-solving skills

  • Able to connect well with children, meeting them where they're at, whether that's sitting quietly and creating a safe space with a worried child, inspiring and supporting engaged play, or managing children's big emotions and excited energy while keeping everyone safe

Benefits

  • $23-$28/hour, DOE

  • 10 work months per year

  • Paid sick days, personal leave, and holidays

  • Paid professional development opportunities

  • Small class ratio of 1:4 (with 2-4 working caregivers in classroom daily)

  • Opportunity to work with and get support from consulting Parent Educator 

  • Opportunity to collaborate with experienced teaching staff 

  • Warm, appreciative families who are highly involved in the school, including a supportive Board

  • Bright, cheerful, and ample classroom space

  • Playground and park across the street

Lakewood Cooperative Preschool Overview

Lakewood Cooperative Preschool provides a stimulating and nurturing play-based environment where children and families from all backgrounds work together in the classroom and grow together in community. We are committed to providing an anti-bias environment for children, adults and families.

Lakewood Cooperative Preschool is an example of caring people, working together for the positive growth and development of young children and their families. Everyone works, learns, teaches, grows, and changes! Co-op parents and caregivers are supporters, learners, teachers, classroom assistants, policy makers, and partners.

Lakewood Cooperative Preschool works in affiliation with the North Seattle College Cooperative Preschools program. This partnership provides Lakewood with access to early childhood development and parent education experts, risk management guidance and support, opportunities for sharing and collaboration with other co-op preschools, access to informational resources surrounding early childhood and family development and overall operational and organizational support.

Contact Information

To apply, please provide the following to Aly Ainscough and Liz Heartman at cochairs@lakewoodcoop.net:

  • Cover letter

  • Resume