Preschool Lead Teacher (Seattle Preschool Program Lead)

Job description:

Urgently Hiring

Read more about CSWS vision, mission, and values at our website: https://cswsplay.org/mission

Position: SPP Lead Educator (CSWS Co-Teacher)

Mission

The mission of CSWS is to create a space in which our community of children, teachers, and families can be part of a cooperative educational team. Collaboratively, we will work to inspire and support curiosity, confidence, empathy, resiliency, and the social-emotional well-being of every child. Our curriculum is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through play, exploration, and discovery. We are committed to building and maintaining a responsive environment dedicated to inclusivity, equity, and strong relationships.

Vision

Building a community where all children are honored and respected as naturally capable, curious, and creative beings.

Values

• Honoring the strength in unique differences
• Building genuine connections
• Cultivating meaningful community partnerships
• Supporting professional growth and job satisfaction
• Recognizing the profound impact of the first school experience
• Learning from each other through honest, direct, and compassionate communication
• Fostering natural curiosity

Basic Expectations

• Engage in reflective work with children, colleagues, and families that demonstrates a love of learning, a disposition of inquiry and wonder, and an ongoing quest for knowledge, engagement, and growth.
• Uphold the CSWS mission, vision, and values, with a working knowledge of Reggio-inspired philosophy, Positive Discipline, emergent curriculum, Project Approach, and developmentally appropriate anti-bias practices.
• Have working knowledge of play-based, child-centered philosophy, Reggio-inspired practice, Positive Discipline, emergent curriculum, and anti-bias practices.
• Be on-site and ready to collaborate with colleagues and receive students at the scheduled time.
• Maintain a professional, personable, and collaborative demeanor.
• Ensure compliance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC 110-300), CSWS Employee Handbook, and Family Handbook.
• Accurately track student attendance, transitions, and headcounts.
• Stay current in MERIT, including STARS credits, and pursue professional development with openness.

Position Summary

A Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) educator, also referred to as a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher, is responsible for creating a high-quality, culturally relevant learning environment for children ages 3 and 4. The role involves direct supervision, curriculum implementation, and strong partnerships with families to support children’s readiness for kindergarten.

The SPP Educator is a key member of the classroom team, responsible for planning and implementing the program curriculum while ensuring the health, safety, and development of all students. This role collaborates with teachers, administrators, and families to achieve the program’s school readiness goals.

Key SPP Responsibilities

Child Assessment & Development

• Administer developmental screenings and assessments, including the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE).
• Observe, document, and monitor children’s progress using established assessment tools, Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Develop individualized learning plans to meet the diverse needs of students.
• Identify potential developmental, emotional, or behavioral concerns and collaborate with families and the teaching team to support each child’s growth.
• Be knowledgeable of the Creative Curriculum and how to implement it in the classroom.
• Engage in monthly coaching meetings with the assigned SPP coach.
• Prepare for the CLASS assessment based on the feedback provided by the SPP coach.

Checkpoints for SPP Educators

The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and its partners use checkpoints to monitor and support the success of both educators and the program.

These checkpoints include:

• Progress monitoring of student development and learning outcomes.
• Classroom quality assessments to ensure high standards of instruction and environment.
• Ongoing educator coaching and professional growth opportunities.
• Family engagement measures to strengthen school–home connections.

CSWS Responsibilities

Family Engagement

• Build strong, respectful partnerships with families through daily communication, conferences, and
• Provide families with resources and guidance related to child development and learning.
• Encourage parent involvement in goal-setting and educational planning.
• Create and provide a minimum of three (3) family engagement activities per month. (i.e., family circle, family activities, etc.)

Collaboration & Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with co-teachers, staff, and administrators to ensure alignment with the program goals and values.
• Participate in all required professional development, including trainings, workshops, and staff development meetings.
• Demonstrate and promote equity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-racist practices within the classroom and program community.
• Be in community and work closely with colleagues, families, and community partners to foster connection and growth.
• Participate in observations, documentation, and communication about children’s development and classroom community.
• Report student or family concerns to directors with appropriate documentation.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and special events as scheduled.

Additional Responsibilities

• Partner with Co-Lead Teacher to implement an exceptional program for children ages 3–5 that embodies the mission, vision, and values of Community School of West Seattle.
• Design, plan, and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, activities, and organization of the classroom environment, allowing flexibility for child-led or teacher-guided learning.
• Develop a set of agreements with community partners and families that guide collaborative practice throughout the year; review quarterly and evaluate the health of the classroom partnership.
• Keep an overall account of each child’s development by documenting unique growth (portfolios, photographs, learning stories, anecdotes, etc.) and similarly document the classroom’s collective development.
• Maintain weekly communication about classroom projects, processes, and interests with families, colleagues, and the director using tools such as newsletters, classroom blogs, emails, phone calls, or whiteboard postings (in compliance with licensing requirements).
• Prepare for and co-facilitate Parent-Teacher Conferences two (2) times per year, providing written documentation at the end-of-year conference.
• Attend all staff meetings, planning sessions, and trainings (per staff calendar), and submit verification of training hours and professional goals to your assigned director.
• Set up and clean up snacks while ensuring all student dietary needs are met.
• Participate in and attend community and school-related events (potlucks, summer festivals, fundraising events, etc.) as outlined in the staff calendar or agreed upon with the director.
• Keep the Directors informed of individual child or family concerns, including documentation and teacher observations.
• Monitor the classroom, outdoor areas, and bathrooms to ensure safety and cleanliness; report issues promptly to the Directors.
• Document the classroom’s cultural climate and development by maintaining portfolios and other records that reflect cultural responsiveness and integrate multicultural education principles.

Qualifications & Requirements

• At least one year of childcare experience.
• CDA or AA in Early Childhood Education
• Working knowledge of child development.
• Meet WA STARS requirements, including:
• Current CPR/First Aid certification
• HIV/AIDS & Bloodborne Pathogens training
• Food Handler’s Permit
• Negative TB Test
• COVID-19 & MMR vaccination or proof of immunity
• Background check clearance
• 30-hour Childcare Basics training
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand, kneel, and sit on the floor for extended periods.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees
• Paid time off, including paid school holidays and calendared closures
• Paid professional development and ongoing training opportunities
• Employee childcare tuition discount
• A collaborative, community-centered workplace that values creativity, inclusion, and educator well-being

Experience:

• Childcare: 2 years (Required)
• Teaching: 2 years (Required)
• Early childhood education: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Required)
• First Aid Certification (Required)

Work Location: In person

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance