Lead Teacher, Kindergarten - Early Learning Community, Coe

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene, and Woodburn. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Lead Teacher of the Kindergarten class creates and sustains a classroom environment and learning experiences that are consistent with, and foster the achievement of, the goals of the Early Learning Community for each child.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a constructivist environment using a thematically integrated project-based educational approach that models best practices.
• Create a classroom community of learners that fosters collaboration and cooperative learning.
• Develop regular routines and procedures that support students’ needs and the overall goals of the ELC.

• In collaboration with the Director of Pedagogy and Head of School, set the learning goals for the year and the progression of skills from unit to unit.
• Develop, implement, adjust and share quality lesson plans designed to meet curricular goals and the developmental needs of each child. NOTE - ELC teachers create the entirety of the curriculum used in their classrooms throughout the day; there are no textbooks or pre-packaged lesson plans, though we have plenty of children’s books, manipulatives, and other rich learning materials.
• Utilize a social justice lens in the design and implementation of social studies, literacy, science, math, expressive arts and other content area curricula.
• Document children's work throughout the learning process through photography, regular blog entries, and in-class projects.
• Engage in ongoing assessment of students through observation and authentic demonstration of skills and knowledge. Collect information about students’ development, and compose detailed written summaries of student progress twice a year.
• Maintain and nurture positive and effective relationships with the families of students. Proactively communicate successes and challenges and work with families to create and implement interventions when needed.
• Participate in school-wide activities including the ELC’s Celebration of Community, Celebration of Learning, open houses/tours for prospective families, professional development workshops, parent education nights, and other community events.
• Supervise and guide any assistant teachers, student teachers, and volunteers. Provide clear expectations around the functions that need to be performed in the classroom and feedback on performance.
• Model teaching best practices for university visitors and provide input as needed.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Ensure safe care of all children at all times through continual supervision.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:  Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:

• Responsibility is for the learning space, curriculum, and the care, teaching, and assessment of every child assigned. 
• Required scope of knowledge includes grade-specific content knowledge, mastery of core pedagogical principles espoused and taught in ECE/elementary teacher preparation programs of the College of Education, and the ability to express those principles in the daily life of the classroom. 
• Position entails a very high degree of accountability for quality instruction and creation of optimal learning environment within the material, time, and human resources means available. 
• Position interfaces daily with the public, with particular emphasis on maintaining positive and productive partnerships with parents, College and University staff, other education professionals, and students of Pacific University. 
• Administrative functions are coordinated with the Head of School of the ELC and other staff. 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

Oversees the work of any Assistant Teachers, students and volunteers in the classroom and provides ongoing guidance and mentoring to assure a high-quality learning environment at all times.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Education.
• Candidates must hold a current Oregon Teaching License with Multiple Subjects (ECE/Elem) authorization.
• Minimum of two years teaching experience in a public or private preschool or elementary school classroom. Ideal candidate has been the Lead Teacher of a classroom before.
• Candidates with demonstrated experience designing and implementing constructivist, project-based, and/or thematic units of instruction strongly preferred.
• Successful Criminal Background Check through TSPC.
• Lead Teachers are required to complete the following certifications within the first 30 days of employment:
• CPR/First Aid, Pediatric
• Food Handling
• Child Abuse Awareness Training
• Foundations for Learning

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Possesses excellent working knowledge of elementary-aged development, methods and pedagogy, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Familiar and experienced with a range of early childhood and elementary pedagogical approaches including thematically-integrated project approach.
• Experienced in authentic and ongoing assessment methods appropriate to elementary.
• Able to maintain organized and meaningful formal and anecdotal records of children's work for documentation.
• Able to co-construct knowledge with all learners including children, parents, other teachers, and administration.
• Experienced in responsive curriculum planning and implementation.
• Possesses excellent oral/written English communication skills

• Understanding of, and ability to meet Pacific University employee standards and expectations, as follow:

1. Communicates with students, faculty, staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
2. Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
3. Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
4. Asks questions and seeks assistance.
5. Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
6. Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students, faculty and staff.
7. Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employee’s particular job.
8. Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
9. Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Classroom and outdoor environment; outdoor activity in all weather for one to two hours daily.
• The annual calendar of teaching is from mid-August through mid-June. 
• When school is in session, the full time Lead Teacher hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 to 4:30.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES/REQUIREMENTS:

Moderate and continuous physical activity, including standing, walking, quick movements in response to needs of children, lifting (up to 50 pounds), getting up and down from floor, bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling, reaching, speech and hearing, light housekeeping.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For best consideration, apply by May 17th. To apply, please provide a letter of interest, resume, statement of educational philosophy (no more than a page), and names and phone numbers of three professional references. Review of applications will begin on May 11th with interviews occurring mid May to early June. The anticipated start date is August 2023.

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.