PreK Lead Teacher

UNIVERSITY PREP Position: Founding PreK Lead Teacher Our Mission: Building a foundation of skills, knowledge and character, University Prep educates every scholar for a four-year college degree and life of opportunity. The Unique Opportunity: Unversity Prep is opening its 3rd campus in the Fall of 2024, launching with PreK 4-year-old programming and then growing one grade level per year until becoming a full, PreK – 5th grade school. After a year of co-design efforts with parent leaders from within the community, we are thrilled to open our new school for families in core Commerce City. As a key part of our opening, we are searching for the most dedicated and effective early childhood educators from across the country to be “Founders.” As a Founder, you will be working with a small and mighty team to bring our new school to life, and for the first time, introduce pre-kindergarten to University Prep’s network. Why you’ll love Us: We have been a part of the University Prep family from the beginning. Over the past school years, I've been so proud to see my child grow, learn, and get the support that I feel every child should receive.” – U Prep Parent In 2011, University Prep opened the doors to its first elementary campus. Fast froward 12 years later and our founding scholars are now enrolled in their first year of post-secondary programming. With 81% of U Prep alumni on track for post-secondary degree and credential attainment, U Prep is living its mission. Our scholars represent a 2.5X improvement when compared with their peer group statewide. They are beating the odds and pursuing their dreams and ambitions as they enter young adulthood and make choices about their futures. We couldn’t be prouder of our now college-going alumni, but more importantly, they couldn’t be prouder of themselves. Watch this video to hear from them directly and learn more about who we are as an organization and why we exist. While you may love us because of the depth of our commitment to our mission and the integrity we carry each day to bring it to life, we believe your initial love will come from the investment we make in our people. Everything starts with our care and commitment to the adults who lead our work. They are the game changes who make everything possible. Why we’ll love you: You love children. You are deeply committed to working with young people and are unwavering in your optimism about what they can achieve. You're mission and values-driven. You believe education can be a true equalizer and are devoted to all children, from all backgrounds, receiving an exemplary education. You’re fully aligned with the core values that drive our organization. You love working with people. While you adore little people, you love big people too. You proactively build meaningful and healthy relationships with your colleagues, and carry a ‘team beats individual’ attitude, recognizing that united teams produce amazing results. You want to be great. You’re invested in mastering your craft and take full ownership over your growth and development. You get a little better every day because you are committed to truly becoming great at what you do You’re entrepreneurial and never give up: You enjoy being part of something fresh, embracing the unknown variables that come with launching a new endeavor. You meet challenges head on and always find a way to get to the finish line. What you’ll do (primary responsibilities): The day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Embodying the mission and vision of University Prep along with the organization’s core values. Establishing and maintaining consistent routines and procedures that ensure a healthy, positive, warm and predictable learning environment for all children. Preparing for and implementing lesson plans aligned with core curriculum, ensuring instruction meets the needs of the range of learners in the classroom and is objective-driven. o Includes organizing all instructional materials, visuals and manipulatives needed for learning support. Overseeing all activities, lessons and open learning windows in alignment with the daily schedule. Regularly monitoring and assessing scholar development against end-of-year goals in core academic skills alongside of social-emotional milestones. o Leveraging data sets to celebrate growth and action plan for additional supports or efforts needed to improve student learning and development Spending significant time engaging with children in 1:1 and small group settings, asking questions, listening attentively, following up, and encouraging further exploration. o Intentionally pushing for high levels of verbal language and using robust vocabulary during thoughtful, play-based learning opportunities throughout the day. Cultivating positive and meaningful relationships with families, ensuring they are well informed of both the assets and challenges their children may possess, the key learning that’s taking place in the classroom, and the ways they can be involved in the healthy development of their child’s academic, social and emotional skills & knowledge. Building healthy and supportive relationships with all children being served by the program, demonstrating deep commitment and care that translates to young people demonstrating trust and enthusiasm in our classrooms. Ensuring all learning environments are kept in an organized and clean fashion, demonstrating intentionality and care for the physical space in which our children explore and learn. Assisting and monitoring with food distribution and clean up associated with lunch and snack windows. Monitoring outdoor play and supporting the well-being of all children when engaging in physical activity both on the playscape and within the building. Working collaboratively and respectfully with the Director of the ECE Center, the School Principal, Teaching Assistants and colleagues to ensure a healthy, connected and caring team experience and adult culture. Attending all required staff meetings, trainings, coaching sessions and/or school functions. Providing classroom coverage and substitute support. Helping students with toileting needs and potty training in cases where that is needed. Maintaining all necessary credentials as required by state law and the CO Department of Early Childhood Education. Keeping up with all necessary administrative tasks including required documenting & reporting. Compensation & Benefits: Our package for Lead PreK Teachers includes, but is not limited to the following: Starting salary ranging from $ 55,000 - $ 75,000 o Initial, starting salary dependent on education and credential attainment, years of experience, types of experiences, and demonstrated ability to drive outcomes for children. Payment of 100% of the employee’s personal medical benefit and options to elect dental, vision, critical illness and accident benefits. Up to $600 contributed annually to a personal wellness account 7 days of PTO with the opportunity to increase by 1 day per year (up to 10 days total PTO) and access to annual PTO payout at a rate of $ 300/day for any unused days Extensive access to professional development, coaching and support Potential opportunities for signing bonuses and moving stipends Bilingual stipend available in recognition of the additional asset ($ 1,000) Posiition Requirements (and Preferences) : Full commitment to, belief in, and alignment with mission and vision of U Prep’s schools. Full commitment to organization’s core values, core identity, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (DEIA) definitions. Must meet ONE of the Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) Qualification Pathways listed on the CO Office of Early Childhood Education Website Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree preferred (although not required if ECT qualifications are met through one of the listed alternative pathways). Pass a TRAILS background check aligned with the CO Department of Early Childhood expectations. 3+ years Early Childhood Education experience preferred. CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain. Ability to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear well enough to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity (indoors and outdoors). Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations. Knowledge of the academic, social, emotional and physical development milestones of young children. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with outstanding ability to listen and follow-up on issues constructively. Openness to feedback, desire to continue development as professional, and willingness to take responsibility for outcomes and achievement. Demonstrate eligibility to work within the United States. Ability to work full-time, in person, in the childcare facility. *This is not a remote/telecommuting role. Bilingual strongly preferred (English/Spanish). As an equal opportunity employer, University Prep hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.