Early Childhood Resource Teacher
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Job Info

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Job no: 520410
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Center for Early Educ and Care
Union: PSU
Categories: Early Childhood Development

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Early Childhood Resource Teacher provides staff coverage for all classrooms, develops and implements curriculum, classroom environment, behavior guidance, and parent partnerships according to the Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) guidelines, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) state licensing regulations, and national accreditation criteria. The Early Childhood Resource Teacher provides a nurturing, safe environment for children, which facilitates their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.

Essential Functions

Program Development

Uses positive and constructive methods of behavior guidance, and emphasizes personal safety and emotional well-being at all times.

Plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum that complies with guidelines, based upon observation and assessment of individual children and goals developed with parents.

Incorporates a culturally sensitive approach to early childhood programming and a respect for the diversity of the children's families.

Designs and maintains classroom and outdoor play environments that comply with licensing standards.

Documents children's learning through anecdotal notes and may be responsible for bi-annual child assessments, documentation materials, and referrals of children for diagnostic services.

Communicates appropriately with children and individualizes the classroom program to meet special needs of children.

Develops a partnership with families through daily communication, newsletters, conferences, and family involvement activities.

Trains and supervises student employees in positive behavior guidance techniques according to licensing policy and CEEC practices, and is responsible for their orientation and involvement in the classroom.

Health and Safety

Keeps the safety of the children as a first priority and follows CEEC and EEC protocol for reporting suspected child abuse and/or neglect.

Utilizes universal healthcare precaution protocol to prevent exposure to and spread of childhood diseases, infections, human bodily fluids and wastes.

Maintains a safe, clean, and attractive classroom environment and instructs children to use health and safety practices.

Notifies Director of unsafe facility issues.

Administrative Support

Provides coverage for planned and unplanned absences of professional and student staff in order to ensure that classroom teacher/child ratios are met at all times. Adheres to coverage schedules which may be adjusted as program needs change and which includes working in all classrooms.

Respects and adheres to staffing/classroom schedules, which may be adjusted to fit program needs.

Collaborates with colleagues in curriculum development and implementation of classroom activities.

Understands and implements affirmative action and non-discrimination regulations, policies, and procedures.

Must be able to comply with state regulations in regard to required health verification and documentation.

Participates in professional development opportunities as required.

Maintains confidentiality.

Other Functions

Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.

Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.

Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.

Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, and two years full-time experience in a licensed early childhood classroom OR a Bachelor's degree with classroom experience.

Must be EEC Teacher qualified for Infant/Toddler or Preschool.

Must hold current CPR and First Aid certifications, or be certified at time of hire.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Able to lift, move, and hold children and objects up to 40 pounds.

Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities.

Able to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of varied weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Infant/Toddler and Preschool EEC certification
• Lead Teacher qualification for Infant/Toddler and/or Preschool
• Experience with ethnically diverse populations and/or bilingual fluency

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Able to lift, move, and hold children and objects up to 40 pounds.
• Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities.
• Able to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of varied weather conditions.

Additional Details

Under supervision from the Assistant Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

Supervises student staff and interns.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; some evenings and weekends.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Apr 8 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 14 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

This job has expired.