Preschool Lead Teacher

Background on Peregrine School
Peregrine School is a Reggio Emilia-inspired nonprofit independent school whose mission is to educate creative critical thinkers. Peregrine strives to provide children with the richest and most rigorous developmentally appropriate experience possible honoring both the spirit of childhood and the vast possibilities for human development. Peregrine School serves children ages 12 months to 6th grade; with ratios of 1:4 1:6 and 1:8 in our Early Childhood Centers; and between 1:10 and 1:14 in our Elementary School. Visitfor more information.

Summary of Job Description
The Lead Teacher works closely with the classroom Head Teacher(s) to develop and teach class activities and supervise students during transitions free play and aftercare. The Lead Teacher helps lead certain science outdoor education arts language and math activities. This position demands imagination curiosity and compassion. Visual artists performance artists writers designers musicians scientists mathematicians and all creative types and problem solvers are highly encouraged to apply! After the Head Teacher leaves for the day the Lead Teacher is responsible for supervising the other teaching staff and managing the afternoon program.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Willingness and ability to engage in Reggio Emilia and other developmentally appropriate child-centered play-based approaches to teaching
• Support and lead circle time activities and projects according to class structure with guidance from Head and/or Lead Teacher
• Assist in the development implementation and evaluation of the program under the direction of the Head Teacher
• Support the SOAR curriculum
• Prepare and teach activities/projects as needed
• Supervise staff after the Head Teacher leaves the classroom and coach them as necessary with verbal and written/email reminders; document all communication and meetings
• Facilitate the completion of closing tasks
• Be knowledgeable of and follow school policies protocol and expectations; ensure that anyone under their supervision is as well
• Be knowledgeable and put into practice the schools health and safety guidelines
• Engage students in a nurturing manner that uses open-ended questions and positive guidance techniques
• Engage with groups of students in play games and activities according to class ratios
• Create a physically safe attractive and developmentally appropriate classroom environment
• Help serve and clean up meals
• Help maintain classroom and garden through cleaning organization and yard work
• Work collaboratively with the team to maintain classroom ratios
• Communicate any immediate necessities to parents at the end of the day such as student injury/incident reports and contribute to other parent communication such as class emails/blogs
• Address situations with students families and/or staff promptly as they occur
• Maintain open communication with the team and supervising Head Teacher on a regular basis
• Check work email for school and class communication and keep updated on important dates and information communicated
• Consult with the Head Teacher or other appropriate teacher(s) when uncertain about how to handle a situation
• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Attend professional development days
• Participate in school events and other extensions of classroom work and school program
• Collaborate with the Head Teacher to cover extra and shared duties
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 3 Weeks of Paid School Holidays i.e. 2 weeks for winter break and 1 week for Spring Break
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Staff Lunch is provided daily.
• Paid Staff Development Days
• Tuition remission
• Group Rate Health Insurance (medical dental vision)
• CalSavers Retirement Plan
• Collaborative Work Environment

• At least 12 Early Childhood Education units or equivalent; AA/AS or/BS in Early Childhood Education Human Development
• Experience working with preschool children in a professional setting is preferred
• Strong familiarity with and experience with Reggio-Emilia and other child-centered play-based approaches to teaching
• Understanding of and commitment to Peregrine Schools mission and philosophy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels
• CPR/FirstAid preferred but not required