Join Our Team as a Lead Teacher at Ivybrook Academy - Glen Mills!
Are you a passionate educator ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children? At Ivybrook Academy - Glen Mills, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity to join our brand new and beautifully designed school, where you will inspire curiosity, foster a love of learning, and promote academic excellence among our students. Our innovative approach combines the best of Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies, allowing you to create a rich, hands-on learning environment that encourages exploration and collaboration. If you are eager to contribute to a nurturing environment that values creativity, community, and academic growth, we want to hear from you!"
What You'll Do:
- Lead with Purpose
- Build Meaningful Connections
- Nurture a Positive Environment
- Champion Lifelong Learning
Ideal Qualities
- Child-Centered Philosophy: Belief in the child’s natural curiosity and ability to learn through exploration.
- Reflective Practice: Commitment to self-reflection and continuous improvement in teaching methods.
- Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work effectively with colleagues, families, and the community to enhance learning experiences.
- Strong Communication Skills: Proficiency in verbal and written communication to engage effectively with children, parents, and colleagues.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Capability to adjust teaching strategies based on children's emerging interests and needs.
- Encouragement of Independence: Focus on promoting self-directed learning and autonomy in children.
- Patience and Empathy: Deep understanding of children's emotional and learning needs, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment.
Position Overview
Our ideal candidate is a passionate educator who radiates enthusiasm for teaching and inspires a love of learning in young children. They possess a deep understanding of child development and a child-centered approach, skillfully observing and responding to each student's unique needs and interests. A collaborative team player, they thrive in a supportive environment, building strong relationships with colleagues and families alike. With excellent communication skills, they engage effectively with children and parents, actively listening and responding thoughtfully. Flexibility and adaptability are key traits, enabling them to adjust lesson plans based on emerging interests and foster independent problem-solving skills in students. Committed to professional growth, they reflect on their teaching practices and eagerly pursue opportunities for development. Most importantly, they bring empathy and patience to the classroom, creating a nurturing space where children feel valued and supported. If this description resonates with you, we invite you to join our vibrant learning community and make a lasting impact on the lives of our students.
Key Responsibilities:
- Adherence to Standards: Uphold the standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- Philosophy and Mission Alignment: Uphold the school’s philosophy, mission, and vision in all teaching and interactions with students and families.
- Relationships with Children: Build trusting, communicative, and supportive relationships with children. Actively engage them in learning and school activities to foster a sense of belonging and encourage their participation.
- Collaboration with Staff and Families: Work cooperatively with fellow staff members and families to foster a supportive learning community.
- Parent Communication: Maintain weekly communication with parents through newsletters, online tools, email, and personal interactions to keep them informed and engaged.
- Guiding Behavior: Support children in learning to behave in self-controlled, socially appropriate ways. Use methods that align with the school’s teaching philosophy to promote positive behavior and conflict resolution skills.
- Classroom Organization: Ability to follow a structured daily schedule that outlines specific timeframes for activities, using timers to manage transitions, and setting clear deadlines for lesson plans and assessments.
- Clear Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Exhibit effective written and verbal communication skills to convey important information clearly and professionally. This includes writing concise newsletters and emails, actively listening during conversations, and engaging in meaningful dialogue with children, parents, and colleagues.
- Engagement in Collaborative Discussions: Embrace the opportunity to actively engage in three annual parent conferences, along with any additional meetings as needed, to foster open communication about student development. Furthermore, consistently attend weekly staff meetings to collaborate with colleagues, share insights, and enhance our collective educational efforts.
- Classroom Environment: Maintain a classroom atmosphere that embodies the Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches, promoting creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning.
- Classroom Organization: Ability to manage a structured daily schedule that outlines specific timeframes for activities, transitions, and deadlines.
- Curriculum Development and Implementation: Plan and execute daily curriculum activities that engage children in learning experiences aligned with developmental goals.
- Collaborative Documentation Analysis: Work collaboratively with colleagues to analyze and interpret documentation of children’s progress and experiences.
- Curriculum Planning and Implementation: Plan and implement engaging daily curriculum activities that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with educational goals.
- Portfolio Assessment: Create and maintain a portfolio for each child that documents their progress and achievements over time.
- Child Progress Evaluation: Regularly observe and assess each child’s development and learning progress.
- Health and Safety: Ensure that children are physically cared for and safe at all times while remaining vigilant about their well-being to foster a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students. This includes implementing and adhering to established safety protocols, maintaining a secure classroom environment, and being well-prepared for emergency situations.
- Sanitary Environment Maintenance: Follow health and safety regulations to ensure a clean and hygienic environment.
- Professional Growth: Participate in ongoing professional development and contribute to a culture of learning and improvement.
- Exemplify Leadership: Champion the best interests of the school community by modeling professionalism and integrity in all interactions. Proactively seek out opportunities for both individual and collective growth, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and shared success.
- Additional Duties as Assigned: Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Principal. This may include participating in school events, attending professional development workshops, or helping with administrative tasks, demonstrating flexibility and a team-oriented approach.
Position Requirements
- Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. Bachelor’s is preferred.
- Associate's degree in related field; Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education or the Human Services field including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, with experience teaching in an early childhood environment.
- Ability to lift, move, and hold children and objects up to 40 pounds. Ability to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities. Ability to supervise and interact with children in all learning spaces for extended periods, including outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Will pass and provide mandated background checks before beginning employment (PA Criminal, FBI Fingerprinting, NSOR, PA Child Abuse)
- Completion of required training hours
Preferred Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
- Bachelor’s degree in related field; Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education or the Human Services field including 15 credit hours in early childhood education, with experience teaching in an early childhood environment.
- Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education or the Human Services field with experience teaching in an early childhood environment.
- PA, DE, NJ Teaching Certification (PreK)
- Classroom experience using Reggio-Emilia, Montessori, Constructivists, Multiple-Intelligences inspired pedagogies, philosophies, methods and theories
- Experience implementing Reggio-inspired and Montessori curriculum
- Demonstrated ability to guide children’s behaviors, as individuals and as a group, using positive approaches to communication, boundaries, and routines
- Experience working with multicultural communities and diverse backgrounds
- Experience working with children with disabilities and special needs, especially young children, in inclusive environments
- Knowledge of child development (for instance, developmentally appropriate practice/expectations)
- Skill in observing children and interpreting their behavior, and using observations to guide children’s learning and thinking
- Experience with reflective practices (e.g., mindfulness, yoga etc.)
- Ability to speak more than one language
Priority given to those with an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, and/or Special Education, and those who obtain their education degree within the first year of employment. Previous experience at a public, private or licensed school preferred.
Hours:
- 8:00 - 4:00 | Full Time, M-F
- 8:30 - 12:30 | Part Time, M-F (summer hours)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary that reflects experience and qualifications
- Professional development opportunities
- Childcare tuition discounts
- Employee referral bonus program
- Collaborative and supportive work environment
- Readily available teaching materials, classroom supplies, and technology
- Recognition Programs: Implement programs that acknowledge and reward exceptional performance, fostering motivation and job satisfaction
- Curriculum specialists support
Ivybrook Academy - Glen Mills is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes that diversity can only make us better. Ivybrook Academy - Glen Mills makes employment decisions without regard to race (to include hair type, hair texture, or hair style), color, age (40 and over), sex (to include pregnancy status, childbirth status, breastfeeding status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, and differences in sex development), ancestry, national origin (including Limited English Proficiency), religious creed (to include all aspects of religious observances and practice, as well as belief), disability, and retaliation and provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them for religious or medical reasons, as required by law. Reasonable physical accommodation and program accessibility for staff with disabilities will be provided (e.g. hearing, speech, vision, mobility impairments). All protected classes and persons with disabilities or with Limited English Proficiency are integrated into programs and activities.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Ability to Commute:
- Glen Mills, PA 19342 (Required)
Work Location: In person
