| | As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The Fiddleheads Forest School within the UW Botanic Gardens has an outstanding opportunity for a Fiddleheads Forest School Lead Teacher.This position will serve as the Lead Teacher in the new full-day classroom in the Fiddleheads Forest School, an entirely outdoor, nature-based preschool program serving 60-80 students and families in the Washington Park Arboretum. This position will report directly to the Fiddleheads Head of School. Estimated start date is August 30, 2021.
Teachers at Fiddleheads act as guides, helping children to cultivate senses that are attuned to the affordances of their surroundings during a developmentally crucial time. Daily observation and experimentation on an individual and group level foster a love of science as well as social and emotional development. By providing structure in the environment, teachers encourage children to guide their own learning experience in a way that fosters the development of responsibility, independence, and executive functioning skills in order to create a strong foundation for future growth.
Administratively, this position is responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of: age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for 4-6 year olds and internal and external communication to keep families well-informed.
Operationally/Programmatically, this position is responsible for: ensuring the health and safety of students; delivering appropriate lessons and activities that support students' social, emotional, and physical growth; modeling a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world; maintaining teaching supplies and supporting materials in an organized and efficient manner.
Responsibilities:
Teach and develop culturally responsive and place-based curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of 4-6 year olds enrolled in a full-day, mixed-age classroom 5 days/week year-round. Using developmentally-appropriate practices that are respectful of all children while modeling a healthy relationship with and curiosity for the natural world. Act in a professional and compassionate manner at all times as a representative of the University of Washington and a role model for future generations.
Ensure the health, safety and well-being of students through site surveys and daily check-ins with students. Develop and implement on-going evaluation methods designed to aid in the creation of individualized growth plans for each student that can be shared with parents. Document the learning and development that occurs in the classroom using a variety of methods for both internal and external use. Maintain clear communication with fellow staff, interns, students, and their families to achieve common goals and avoid potential conflicts.
Promote a close relationship with parents through daily, weekly, and monthly communication; regular meetings and phone calls; home visits and parent conferences; and regular family events during and outside of class time. Ensure families feel that their traditions, experiences, and individual needs are reflected through all aspects of the program.
Assist with the training, coordination, and mentorship of associate teachers and student interns; reporting on their participation in the classroom.
Prepare, clean up and maintain teaching supplies and supporting materials in a well-organized and efficient manner.
Following all established policies, procedures and protocols related to internal and external communications, child safety, crisis management, and risk management. Support the development of new classroom risk and hazard assessment and response procedures as needed.
Other related duties as assigned.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, environmental education or related field AND an ECE Short Certificate (required for licensed preschools in Washington) or ECE Initial Certificate with willingness to obtain a ECE Short Certificate with in 2 years. Minimum of three years of experience as a lead teacher of preschool-age children. Formal training in early childhood education or related areas. Ability to communicate effectively with children at an age-appropriate level. Understanding of cultural competency in the context of early childhood education. Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work as part of a team and make contributions through collaboration. Ability to problem solve and maintain a sense of calm as unforeseen situations arise. Outstanding planning, organizing, and time-management skills. Ability to stand, stoop, bend, and sit for 15-20 minutes at a time. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather; school takes place outdoors in the forest classroom, year-round, in all types of weather conditions.
A willingness to work a flexible schedule that may include occasional evening and weekend work, as well as healthy appreciation of the natural world and a strong desire to share that appreciation with the public. Appointment is contingent upon obtaining satisfactory results from a criminal background check.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
DESIRED:
Demonstrated knowledge of the natural world and experience sharing that knowledge with children in the field. Experience supervising and mentoring volunteers.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. |