Early Childhood Assistant 25/26
Opening Statement
Position Summary
The Early Childhood Teacher Assistant at Shining Mountain Waldorf School is responsible for helping to create a wonderful Waldorf Early Childhood experience for our mixed age classrooms (ages 2.5- 4, or 3.5 -6). The ECE Assistant will work with the Early Childhood Lead Teacher by assisting in classroom management and supervision of the class, daily food preparation, interacting appropriately with students, and taking direction from the Lead Teacher. They engage in day to day responsibilities according to the principles of Waldorf Education. This position includes a large portion of the day outside throughout the school year in all kinds of weather.
About
Shining Mountain Waldorf School (SMWS) is at an exciting point in its 40-year history. We have recently opened a new state-of-the-art high school campus, which is adjacent to the existing lower school campus. As such, our school has been deeply engaged in a revisioning process to launch a unique, contemporary identity that includes several innovative program opportunities.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School, founded in 1983, is an accredited Pre-K-12 nonprofit independent school located in Boulder, Colorado on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. We are recognized for our academic depth, experiential learning, artistic integration, wilderness experiences, and strong athletic program. Our school is about an hour’s drive to Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park. We are close to world-class hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation. A college town, Boulder is home to the University of Colorado and Naropa University, as well as numerous local organizations that provide a rich variety of arts, lectures, and workshops. Boulder is known for its natural beauty, environmental initiatives, sustainable agriculture, farm-to-table dining, and more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
Essential Job Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in curriculum activities; setup/cleanup of circle time, birthday celebrations, and festivals (including some early evening festivals)
- Assist with the transitions throughout the day
- Help with daily preparations of classroom, restocking cleaning supplies and materials
- Guide and encourage children with self-care–diapering, toileting, dressing, and social behavior
- Help maintain general order, cleanliness, and aesthetics in classroom
- Prepare, serve, and cleanup daily snacks
- Assist in maintaining a warm and nurturing environment
- Direct student behavior and parent communication to the Lead Early Childhood Teacher
- Maintain confidentiality in all student situations
- Become knowledgeable about campus Emergency Plan and be ready to implement
- Complete monthly online timesheets
Additional Responsibilities
- May Substitute for Lead Teacher if needed (ECT required)
- Can be combined with Rainbow Garden Assistant (ECE afternoon program)
- Attend mentoring meetings with the lead teacher.
- May Substitute for afternoon program if available
- Attendance at once a month full ECE meeting on Thursdays at 2:15 pm
- Attendance at scheduled Early Childhood meetings and August In-Service is mandatory
- Attendance and February conference and June In-Service is encouraged but not mandatory
- Participate in the annual Saturday work day in August to prepare the classroom.
- This position can be combined with the Early Childhood Rainbow Garden Teacher Assistant position with hours of 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 12:30-2:15 on Thursdays.
- For those who combine the morning and afternoon positions, a short break may be possible.
Qualifications
Education and Qualifications
- Early Childhood Education experience preferred
- Waldorf Early Childhood experience preferred
- Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) designated by State of Colorado
- Reliable, consistent, and adaptability to changes
- Experienced interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents
- Possess a warm, friendly, professional and joyous demeanor
Early Childhood Licensing Requirements
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- Complete requirements for Colorado ECE regulations of Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. Must be an ECT (Early Childhood Teacher) as designated by the State of Colorado or working toward this qualification.
- Within 30 days CPR, First Aid, Standard Precautions, Physical, Background check, fingerprinting, mandatory licensing classes, registration in Colorado Shines PDIS and Early Childhood Educator qualified per the State of Colorado’s requirements.
- Submission of a medical physical by a licensed physician or other health care professional as required per licensing regulations
Employment Details
Work Setting
- Early Childhood classroom, playground, hikes, and neighborhood walks.
- Monday through Friday, hours of 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Work schedule follows the SMWS annual school calendar – late August through early June
- Because of the classroom setting, there are limited breaks offered during the day
Salary and Benefits
- Hourly rate of $25.00 per hour
- Substitute rate of $25.00 per hour (ECT required)
- Hourly rate of $18.00 per hour when participating in meetings/trainings
- Three (3) paid Holidays include: All Cultures Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day; school days off are not paid
- Colorado Paid Sick Leave – 1 hour for each 30 hours worked – up to 48 hours per year
- 401(k) – SMWS offers a match (determined annually) when 1,000 hours are worked in a fiscal year)
- Professional Development – will be paid time
- Required 15 hours of classes paid at $18.00 per hour
- Because this is a part time position we do not offer additional benefits
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
- Frequent walks; use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; speaking and listening
- Daily requirement to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child
- Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
To Apply
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or nation or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hrmgr@smwaldorf.org.