Description

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Lead Teacher to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery--a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Pay Range: $18.77- $23.00/hour Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location:

On-site

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

Provide quality, nurturing, early care and education for a group of diverse young children in a childcare center. This position plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum activities for young children, assesses child development, mentors, coaches and directly supervise student employees and work hand in hand with university students, staff, faculty, alumni, families and community members. This position also exists to ensure compliance with state childcare licensing, state and county health department standards, and national accreditation requirements.

Lead Teacher positions may be assigned, or reassigned, as needed to any classroom and age group at the Family Development Center (FDC). This position works a shift within the hours of 7:30am and 5:30pm, that may rotate or change as needed. On occasion work schedules may shift to include evening and weekend hours for required staff meetings, training, or school events.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Child-Centered Learning:
  • Principle: Prioritize the needs, interests, and abilities of each child.
  • Practice: Design activities that respect individual learning styles and developmental
    stages, allowing children to explore and grow at their own pace.
• Safe and Supportive Environment:
  • Principle: Ensure a physically and emotionally safe space for children.
  • Practice: Maintain clean, organized classrooms and playgrounds, enforce health and
    safety protocols, and create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages children to feel
    secure and valued.
• Inclusive Education:
  • Principle: Embrace diversity and create an inclusive environment for all children.
  • Practice: Adapt teaching methods and materials to accommodate children of various
    backgrounds, abilities, and cultures, promoting equity in learning opportunities.
    
• Positive Behavior Support:
  • Principle: Use positive reinforcement and clear expectations to guide behavior.
  • Practice: Model appropriate behavior, provide consistent guidance, and reinforce
    positive actions, encouraging self-regulation and social skills development.
    
    
• Collaboration with Families:
  • Principle: Partner with families to support each child's development.
  • Practice: Establish open communication channels, encourage family involvement in
    classroom activities, and provide regular updates on their child's progress, recognizing
    parents as key partners in education.
    
• Developmentally Appropriate Practices:
  
  • Principle: Use teaching methods and materials that are appropriate for the age,
    development, and needs of the children.
  • Practice: Align curriculum and activities with recognized early childhood development
    milestones, ensuring they are both challenging and achievable.
• Continuous Professional Development:
  • Principle: Commit to ongoing learning and professional growth.
  • Practice: Participate in workshops, seminars, and other training opportunities to stay
    informed about best practices, new research, and educational trends in early childhood
    education.
    
• Observation and Assessment:
  • Principle: Use observation and assessment as tools to understand and support each
    child's growth.
  • Practice: Regularly observe children in various contexts and document their
    developmental progress, using this data to tailor instruction and communicate with
    families.
• Play-Based Learning:
  • Principle: Recognize play as an essential tool for learning.
  • Practice: Design structured and unstructured play opportunities that encourage
    exploration, creativity, and social interaction, fostering cognitive, emotional, and
    physical development.
    
• Ethical and Professional Conduct:
  • Principle: Maintain high standards of ethics and professionalism in all interactions.
  • Practice: Respect confidentiality, act with integrity, and follow the ethical guidelines
    established by the profession and the organization
• Teamwork and Collaboration:
  • Principle: Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment among staff.
  • Practice: Communicate openly, share resources and strategies, and support each
    other in the delivery of quality education and care for the children.
• Reflective Practice:
  • Principle: Engage in continuous reflection to improve practices.
  • Practice: Regularly evaluate teaching methods, interactions, and the learning
    environment, seeking ways to enhance effectiveness and responsiveness to children's
    needs.
• Respect for Child Autonomy:
  • Principle: Encourage independence and decision-making in children.
  • Practice: Provide choices within structured environments, allowing children to build
    confidence in their abilities and make decisions appropriate to their age and
    development.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching:
  • Principle: Honor and integrate children's cultural backgrounds into the learning
    environment.
  • Practice: Include diverse materials, celebrations, and languages in the curriculum,
    promoting respect for different cultures and fostering a sense of belonging for all
    children.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: November 29th, 2024
• Potential interview dates: December 2nd - December 6th, 2024
• Potential start date: Mid December to January 1st, 2025

UCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

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