Teacher

Job Summary

As a member of the ECEC teaching team you are responsible for creating a high-quality learning environment that supports the development and education of the children using the Reggio-inspired approach to learning. 

Responsibilities*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Identify the development and academic progress of children and plan courses of study to meet their 
• needs. 
• Refer children for specialized assessment when necessary while collaborating with psychologist, 
• social workers and special education specialist. 
• Study social-constructivist model of early childhood education grounded in the work of Dewey, 
• Erickson, Piaget and Vygotsky. 
• Write curriculum plans and implement a Reggio inspired long term project each term. Lead and 
• collaborate with university practicum students, checking weekly plans while providing verbal feedback 
• on instructional and management techniques. 
• Preparation of weekly report on student's development and keeping anecdotal notes, compiling work 
• samples for individual portfolios. ~ Explain program philosophy, teaching practices and routine to 
• prospective families and visitors. 
• Prepare materials for and represent the university at local and state early childhood conferences. 
• Collaborate with peers to create learning environments and classroom practices informed by the 
• Reggio Approach. 
• Supervise classroom team to meet program objectives concerning education standards, quality, 
• safety, and cleanliness. 
• Provide direct support to assigned or designated classroom. 
• Implement Positive Child guidance and intervention supports 
• Keep accurate accident/incident records and time-sheets. 
• Possess a strong work ethic, be punctual, and have minimal absence. 
• Must be able to be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 70lbs. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. 

PLANNING AND INSTRUCTION: 

• Write and implement lesson plans reflecting a DAP and Reggio Inspired curriculum for 
• toddler/preschool/Kindergarten children based on current early childhood theories and practices. 
• Compile precise, detailed observation and documentation of your teaching and children's work. 
• Create documentation in progress and documentation panels of children's work with careful reflection 
• of their interpretations. 
• Create inquiry-based, short and long-term inquiry projects that are student-centered comprised from 
• analyzing children's thinking and development while engaging in activities based on the constructivism 
• learning theory. 
• Provoke children's ideas and scaffold their understanding through problem solving, representational 
• work, and conflict resolution. 
• Document all parent concerns, communications and child observations that necessitate a need for a 
• meeting. 
• Effectively manage a classroom by maintaining consistency and developmentally appropriate 
• expectations. 
• Create an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports the contributions of the team including 
• parents, interns, strategies and child development students, CEF staff and volunteers. 
• Mentor and communicate with all university students placed within the classroom providing 
• appropriate feedback both written and verbal in relation to classroom participation and curriculum 
• plans. Model appropriate teaching practices and lesson planning and implementation. 
• Communicate and promote family involvement. 
• Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for children. 
• Create and adapt the classroom and playground environments to enhance intentional learning 
• opportunities that reflect children's culture and needs.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT: 

• Assess children's on-going growth and development in all developmental domains and using data to guide daily plans. 
• Observe, document, and evaluate children on an ongoing basis utilizing the ASQ-SE, Teaching Strategies Gold and Michigan Literacy Progress Profile assessment tools. 
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences twice a year. 
• Communicate regularly with families regarding children's development, using goals, communication boards, and monthly blogs (documentation in progress) daily curriculum postings, daily interactions and documentation panels. 
• Assist in program evaluation following NAEYC, DHS licensing, and the QRIS guidelines. 

Please note: Final hire and start date will be confirmed once enrollment targets are sufficiently met.

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. 
• Valid Michigan teaching certificate OR must obtain valid Michigan teaching certificate within eighteen (18) months of hire date. 
• Exceptional communication skills (speaking and writing), and computer literacy skills. 
• Demonstrated successful collaboration with peers and/or parents. 

Desired Qualifications*

• ZA/ZS endorsement 
• Experience teaching children ages birth to 6 years in developmentally appropriate classrooms Experience in a university laboratory school 
• Experience supervising university practicum students or interns 
• Some experience with children with special needs in learning center classrooms desired
• Experience with or extensive knowledge of the Reggio Emilia philosophy desired

Modes of Work

Due to the nature of the work performed, this position is on-site only, 5 days a week. Learn more about the work modes.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.