Alexander Dawson School Overview: 

Not far from Red Rock Canyon in Southern Nevada sits a mature-for-its-years Early Childhood through grade 8 independent school with an amazing history behind it and an exciting trajectory in front of it. The Alexander Dawson School is located on 33-acres in the beautiful community of Summerlin—about fifteen minutes west of the Las Vegas airport—and has had the financial and operational support of the Alexander Dawson Foundation since its doors opened in 2000. In the last 20 years, the School has embraced all aspects of student-centered education and modern learning, and  it continues to build and improve upon an exceptional core academic program.

The Early Childhood Education Center:

Guided by the Mission of the School and driven by Alexander Dawson’s strategic plan, the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) is a place of joyful learning. The ECEC faculty are caring, creative, and knowledgeable teachers who are passionate about whole-child education. As a modern learning institute and a Challenge Success school, Dawson teachers create lessons and learning environments that balance the intersection of academic knowledge, competency skills, and habits of mind. Remaining current on best practices related to competency-based education and Project-Based Learning is a top priority for all Dawson faculty. ECEC teachers, students, and families value the strong sense of community and the personalized learning experiences the School provides through its literacy, math, social studies, science, art, music, health & fitness, STEAM creations, library, and SEL curriculum. The ECEC culture places emphasis on team dynamics and an ongoing commitment to learning from others. The Early Childhood Education Center is proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

This is a full-time, 10-month position that will begin August 1, 2022.

Essential Functions:

 The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with classroom Lead Teacher and grade level teaching team
• Provide student support in an early childhood classroom
• Follow and execute lesson plans created by Lead Teacher
• Summarize student progress and provide feedback
• Conduct one-on-one and small group student support
• Facilitate whole group instruction
• Serve in a substitute teacher role for Lead Teacher as needed 
• Assist with classroom preparation and organization (copying, bulletin boards, material preparation)
• Carry out recess, lunch and snack duties
• Ensure the emotional and physical safety of all students

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend and actively engage in divisional and school-wide meetings and school-sponsored events
• Embrace a continuous improvement mindset and critically reflects upon teaching and learning
• Embrace cultural competency and commit to ongoing growth in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Maintain positive and caring relationships with families, communicate regularly about student progress, and remain responsive to concerns
• Attend conferences and professional development opportunities on a regular basis to remain current with industry trends and best practices
• Meet annual requirements set by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health/Child Care Licensing (CEU hours, Nevada Registry, Sheriff Work Card, etc) 

 Shared Values & Competencies of Dawson Employees

Alexander Dawson educators are academic leaders committed to modern learning.  Our faculty are engaged and innovative collaborators.  Those who tend to see opportunities before problems, who lead with questions, assume positive intentions, are professional and respectful in their relationships, and who work effectively with colleagues of varied backgrounds find success in this working environment.

• Commits to shaping a just, inclusive community and understands how centering equity impacts all aspects of the job
• Adapts a nimble mindset when dealing with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
• Act with intentionality, transparency, humility, and honesty
• Develops solutions when faced with problems, challenges, or dysfunctions and makes decisions with resolve and empathy
• Communicates with empathy and clarity with multiple stakeholder groups
• Builds trusting relationships, and  demonstrates teamwork through attentive listening and a commitment to collaboration
• Believes they can learn from others and leads with questions to gain perspectives
• Acts ethically, morally, and legally to maintain compliance with organizational policies 

Qualifications, Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma
• Child Development Associate (CDA) or 12 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in an early childhood school setting 
• Nevada Childcare Work Card eligible 
• Independent school experience preferred but not required

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The school is open for in-person learning. Employees must follow COVID-19 protocols, including wearing face coverings, social distancing, regular handwashing, and limiting in-person meetings.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.