Preschool Teacher at Bay Area Discovery Museum
About the Employer
At Bay Area Discovery Museum, we believe that providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they need to be successful is the best investment we can make as a society. Whether at the Museum, online, or in the community, the museum provides experiences that spark children’s natural curiosity for the world around them, while building their creative problem-solving skills and STEM content knowledge. Both on-site and off-site, the museum facilitates research-backed learning experiences that are fun and engaging for children and families. At our one-of-a-kind location at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this includes hands-on exhibits, rich STEM and art programming, an on-site preschool, and camps and classes. Off-site, our museum educators bring hands-on STEM programming to students and families at schools and libraries in all nine Bay Area counties. We believe that these research-backed on-site and off-site experiences should be made available to all children and families and offer a variety of access initiatives toward this goal. We are currently at a reduced attendance capacity, following strict COVID-19 protocols, and working our way back up to our pre-pandemic numbers: • 350,000 visitors each year, including nearly 100,000 with free or reduced admission • 10,000 member families • 26,000 children through our school and community programs • 587 schools and 215 libraries through all nine Bay Area counties The museum is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. We are continuously working toward the goal of reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area both within our organization and with those we serve.
Job Description / Essential Elements:
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POSITION SUMMARY
The Discovery School is a Reggio-inspired preschool housed at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM). Our program is the only museum-based preschool in California, and we draw upon the Museum’s 25 years of child-directed, open-ended, inquiry-driven learning, as well as best practices in creativity development from the Museum’s research division, the Center for Childhood Creativity. We are fortunate to offer a low student to teacher ratio and an incredibly engaged parent community. The Museum also provides an unmatched location, on 7.5 acres of National Park land at the foot of the Golden and with immediate access to the beach, coastal habitats, historic batteries and hiking trails.
With the 2017 – 2018 school year, the program will be expanded and will become a Laboratory School affiliated with the Center for Childhood Creativity. We are currently seeking experienced educators to serve as Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers.
Ideal candidates will have deep commitment to and passion for research-backed teaching practice, expertise in child development, love and respect for young children and their enormous capabilities, and interest in serving in an entrepreneurial and evolving school community. Candidates for Lead Teacher should also have deep knowledge of and experience with emergent, project-based, reflective practice.
Lead and Assistant Teachers will provide daily care and supervision of children enrolled in the program, work directly with families, and collaborate on the school leadership. The teaching calendar runs from late August to early June, with school starting after Labor Day and ending around Memorial Day. Separate employment opportunities exists assisting BADM camp programming when Discovery School is not in session (during Winter, February, Spring, and Summer breaks).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with children in the classroom daily, including in planning and preparing activities, curriculum development aligned to clear outcomes, documentation of emergent learning, transitions and circle time.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in the program at all times.
- In collaboration with other teachers, refine school programs and curriculum in line with Department of Education goals and outcomes; position Discovery School as the ECE lab school for the Center for Childhood Creativity.
- Actively build relationships with individual parents to support their child’s development and learning and to meaningfully engage all families in the school and museum communities.
- Write weekly reflections of school experiences to serve as email communication with families. This involves utilizing a composition program such as Pages or Publisher.
- Work collaboratively to collect, display and disseminate documentation of children’s work. This includes regularly taking careful observational notes and intentional photos.
- Compile and present a slide slow showcasing classroom highlights and endeavors.
- Ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of classroom and supplies daily.
- Prepare and organize supplies, including snack.
- Assist and support other Museum programming as needed, including during fundraisers, festivals, Goblin Jamboree, and other programs as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- BA or BS required, MA preferred; Degree in education, early childhood education, child development or relevant field strongly preferred
- Minimum 3 years of experience as a preschool teacher; 7 years of experience preferred for Lead Teachers
- Minimum of 6 completed ECE units for Assistant Teachers and 12 completed ECE units for Lead Teachers
- Expertise designing curricula that is emergent, inquiry/ project-based, collaborative, and child-centered
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills required
- Ability to take initiative, work independently, and troubleshoot in a fast pace work environment a must
- Must be trained or commit to being trained in First Aid, CPR and AED for adult, infant and child
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to use computer equipment required (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point)
- Must work well with a variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures
- Knowledge of child development , developmentally appropriate practices and project based learning
- Flexible, good-humored, team player
- Ability to move from place to place, work outdoors, bend and lift and carry up to 35 pounds short distances
- LiveScan and criminal record clearance through DOJ Child Abuse Index
- Proof of absence of tuberculosis (TB) required before starting employment
TO APPLY
Qualified candidates should apply online at: https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=BADM
Applicants should be prepared to provide both a resume and cover letter. Please attach your cover letter in step 2 of the online application process when prompted to attach other documents.
NOTE TO CANDIDATE
Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check, if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses or credentials pertinent to the position.
Requirements / Qualifications
Requirements / Qualifications
• Resume • Cover Letter • BA or BS required, MA preferred; Degree in education, early childhood education, child development or relevant field strongly preferred • Minimum 3 years of experience as a preschool teacher; 7 years of experience preferred for Lead Teachers • Minimum of 6 completed (or currently enrolled) ECE units; 12 completed ECE units required for Lead Teachers.
• Resume • Cover Letter • BA or BS required, MA preferred; Degree in education, early childhood education, child development or relevant field strongly preferred • Minimum 3 years of experience as a preschool teacher; 7 years of experience preferred for Lead Teachers • Minimum of 6 completed (or currently enrolled) ECE units; 12 completed ECE units required for Lead Teachers.
Comments and Other Information
POSITION SUMMARY
The Discovery School – the only museum-based preschool in California – seeks exemplary early childhood educators to contribute to the development of a new lab school model.
Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, The Discovery School emphasizes inquiry and exploration through extended, STEM-rich projects connected to children’s interests and questions. The Discovery School is affiliated with the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Center for Childhood Creativity, which provides evidence-based expertise in children’s creativity development. The museum’s 7.5 acre site, educational programs, and surrounding national park beaches, batteries, and hiking trails provide an unparalleled location to teach and inspire life-long learning!
The Discovery School has recently launched as a lab school and plans to extend its impact in the coming years by developing a robust teacher professional development program. We seek skilled, reflective career practitioners committed to advancing constructivist, STEM-based education in early childhood.
Preschool Teachers will provide daily care and supervision of children enrolled in the Discovery School program, work directly with families, and collaborate with the school leadership. The teaching calendar runs from mid-August to early June, with school starting after Labor Day and ending around Memorial Day. Separate employment opportunities exist assisting BADM camp programming when Discovery School is not in session (during Winter, February, Spring, and Summer breaks).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with children in the classroom daily, including in planning and preparing activities, curriculum development aligned to clear outcomes, documentation of emergent learning, transitions and circle time.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in the program at all times.
• In collaboration with other teachers, refine school programs and curriculum in line with Department of Education goals and outcomes.
• Work with the Center for Childhood Creativity (CCC) to serve as the ECE lab school for the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Provide assistance to the research teams that work with The Discovery School students; use the CCC research to inform planning and preparation of the curriculum.
• Actively build relationships with individual parents to support their child’s development and learning and to meaningfully engage all families in the school and museum communities.
• Write weekly reflections of school experiences to serve as email communication with families. This involves utilizing a composition program such as Pages or Publisher.
• Work collaboratively to collect, display and disseminate documentation of children’s work. This includes regularly taking careful observational notes and intentional photos; conference with families verbally and in written form on the development of their child, which includes goal setting for children’s individual development.
• Compile and present a slide slow showcasing classroom highlights and endeavors.
• Ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of classroom and supplies daily.
• Prepare and organize supplies, including snack.
• Assist and support other BADM programming as needed, including during fundraisers, festivals, Goblin Jamboree, and other programs as needed.
• Lead communication and work collaboratively with all other museum departments as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
• BA or BS required, MA preferred; Degree in education, early childhood education, child development or relevant field strongly preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a preschool teacher; 7 years of experience preferred for Lead Teachers
• Minimum of 6 completed (or currently enrolled) ECE units; 12 completed ECE units required for Lead Teachers.
• Expertise designing curricula that is emergent, inquiry/ project-based, collaborative, and child-centered
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and troubleshoot in a fast pace work environment a must
• Must be trained or commit to being trained in First Aid, CPR and AED for adult, infant and child
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to use computer equipment required (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point)
• Must work well with a variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures
• Knowledge of child development , developmentally appropriate practices and project based learning
• Flexible, good-humored, team player
• Ability to move from place to place, work outdoors, bend and lift and carry up to 35 pounds short distances
• LiveScan and criminal record clearance through DOJ Child Abuse Index
• Proof of absence of tuberculosis (TB) required before starting employment
Comments and Other Information
POSITION SUMMARY
The Discovery School – the only museum-based preschool in California – seeks exemplary early childhood educators to contribute to the development of a new lab school model.
Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, The Discovery School emphasizes inquiry and exploration through extended, STEM-rich projects connected to children’s interests and questions. The Discovery School is affiliated with the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Center for Childhood Creativity, which provides evidence-based expertise in children’s creativity development. The museum’s 7.5 acre site, educational programs, and surrounding national park beaches, batteries, and hiking trails provide an unparalleled location to teach and inspire life-long learning!
The Discovery School has recently launched as a lab school and plans to extend its impact in the coming years by developing a robust teacher professional development program. We seek skilled, reflective career practitioners committed to advancing constructivist, STEM-based education in early childhood.
Preschool Teachers will provide daily care and supervision of children enrolled in the Discovery School program, work directly with families, and collaborate with the school leadership. The teaching calendar runs from mid-August to early June, with school starting after Labor Day and ending around Memorial Day. Separate employment opportunities exist assisting BADM camp programming when Discovery School is not in session (during Winter, February, Spring, and Summer breaks).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with children in the classroom daily, including in planning and preparing activities, curriculum development aligned to clear outcomes, documentation of emergent learning, transitions and circle time.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in the program at all times.
• In collaboration with other teachers, refine school programs and curriculum in line with Department of Education goals and outcomes.
• Work with the Center for Childhood Creativity (CCC) to serve as the ECE lab school for the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Provide assistance to the research teams that work with The Discovery School students; use the CCC research to inform planning and preparation of the curriculum.
• Actively build relationships with individual parents to support their child’s development and learning and to meaningfully engage all families in the school and museum communities.
• Write weekly reflections of school experiences to serve as email communication with families. This involves utilizing a composition program such as Pages or Publisher.
• Work collaboratively to collect, display and disseminate documentation of children’s work. This includes regularly taking careful observational notes and intentional photos; conference with families verbally and in written form on the development of their child, which includes goal setting for children’s individual development.
• Compile and present a slide slow showcasing classroom highlights and endeavors.
• Ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of classroom and supplies daily.
• Prepare and organize supplies, including snack.
• Assist and support other BADM programming as needed, including during fundraisers, festivals, Goblin Jamboree, and other programs as needed.
• Lead communication and work collaboratively with all other museum departments as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
• BA or BS required, MA preferred; Degree in education, early childhood education, child development or relevant field strongly preferred
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a preschool teacher; 7 years of experience preferred for Lead Teachers
• Minimum of 6 completed (or currently enrolled) ECE units; 12 completed ECE units required for Lead Teachers.
• Expertise designing curricula that is emergent, inquiry/ project-based, collaborative, and child-centered
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and troubleshoot in a fast pace work environment a must
• Must be trained or commit to being trained in First Aid, CPR and AED for adult, infant and child
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to use computer equipment required (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point)
• Must work well with a variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures
• Knowledge of child development , developmentally appropriate practices and project based learning
• Flexible, good-humored, team player
• Ability to move from place to place, work outdoors, bend and lift and carry up to 35 pounds short distances
• LiveScan and criminal record clearance through DOJ Child Abuse Index
• Proof of absence of tuberculosis (TB) required before starting employment