Big Wonder Seeks Experienced Preschool Teacher
Lead preschool teacher in a preschool classroom with 2 other co-lead teachers and 18 children.
About Big Wonder:
We honor the unique rights of children, families, and teachers to create a just and harmonious community. Big Wonder is committed to equity and race consciousness. We serve families of different races, family structures, religious beliefs, and social-economic backgrounds. We are inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and spiritual inquiry frameworks to provide high-quality education for our youngest learners. We create and model innovative methods to find sustainable solutions to improve early childhood education.
We are a place of exploration and innovation, developing new pedagogical methods, funding frameworks, policies, and collaborative networks to build equitable and sustainable solutions for early childhood education.
Position Details:
Collaborate with teachers and administrators using reflective thinking protocols, and communities of practice to co-create race consciousness and anti-bias frameworks, training, and programming, and develop robust social emotional learning communities, nature-inpired play, and blending Reggio and Montessori pedagogies.
Expertise and background in these methods are not required, but we seek an educator willing to collaborate and co-create innovative frameworks and educational methods. to collaborate and co-create innovative frameworks and educational methods.
Responsibilities:
- Engage in action research and design thinking in the classroom to contribute to the "Big Wonder Way"
- Develop and implement an emergent, child-led curriculum using Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches with anti-bias learning goals.
- Assess and adapt programming based on children’s evolving needs and learning desires.
- Foster strong, loving relationships with children in the classroom.
- Maintain professional, collaborative relationships with staff and parents, ensuring discretion and trust.
- Contribute to preschool operations through planning meetings, events, and training.
- Participate in and apply professional development opportunities.
- Collaborate with outside professionals and coaches.
- Conduct and document action research on:
- Anti-Bias Education
- Anti-Racist Education
- Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness, and Virtues Development
- Adhere to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Code of Ethics.
Classroom Management:
- Maintain a positive regard for children and foster secure, loving relationships.
- Model and nurture healthy behaviors, problem-solving, and pro-social skills.
- Establish healthy habits, routines, and appropriate limit-setting.
- Facilitate self-discovery and inquiry-based play using open-ended questions.
- Promote positive self-identity and appreciation for diversity through anti-bias education, diverse representations, empathy-building, and perspective-taking.
- Co-lead an emergent curriculum with another teacher.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Meets MN Rule 3 teacher qualifications
- BA or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or related field preferred (but not required).
- College credit in ECE, Child Development, or a related field
- Experience teaching preschool in a child-centered, developmentally appropriate program
- Experience or commitment to social justice education
- Familiarity with Reggio Emilia or Montessori approaches preferred
- Ability to use technology for documenting children’s work
- Physically able to engage with children for up to 7 hours daily and lift/carry up to 50 pounds
Skill Sets:
- Sensitivity to children’s learning styles and clear parent communication
- Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills
- Ability to supervise assistant teachers and interns
- Preferred but not required: Reggio inspiration and/or Montessori training
- Ability to navigate diverse perspectives and manage conflict with grace
PTO
Between paid holiday school closures (federal holidays, winter break, and summer break), Sick pay (48 hours), Flex days (4 days) , and Vacation days (5 days), staff get 7 weeks and 1 day paid time off.
Pay: $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you qualified to be a lead teacher in an early childhood center?
- Can you work 9-5 Monday-Friday?
- How many years have you been an early childhood educator?
Work Location: In person
