Position Overview
Under the direction of the Program Director, the Head Child Development Teacher (Job Code: 8744A2)  provides oversight, routine training and guidance, and evaluation of teacher aides and teacher candidates in the classroom. Develops and implements daily lesson plans to support and advance physical, social, emotional, and intellectual competence of children. This includes maintaining an attractive, safe, and healthy learning environment that allows children's active participation, independent choices within the context of a structured curriculum meeting child care licensing standards.  Establishes and maintains effective relationships with families and provides timely communication in regards to child's development progress and concerns. Assesses, identifies, and communicates with families level of accomplishment and needs for the individual child against the background of norms of attainment for a developmental stage and individual history.

This position will participate in staff development opportunities and support and advance the program's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

This position is based on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus at the Early Childhood Development Center. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. This position reports to the Program Director, is a 100% position, and holds a 12-month appointment.

This position is. The hours vary according to the needs of the program between 7:30 am - 5 pm.

Job Responsibilities

Teacher (80%)

• Establishes and maintains an inclusive, professional and safe learning space for children of all backgrounds, identities, abilities and developmental stages in compliance with MN DHS licensing, as well as relevant federal laws.
• Plan and execute a consistent daily visible schedule of routines and activities.
• Conduct daily checks of the environment; assign, monitor, and follow up on the health and safety of the children and ensure the supervision of children are within sight and sound as per MN DHS Licensing (indoors and outdoors).
• Maintain and secure the confidentiality of information and records regarding staff, children, and families.
• Participate in on-going reflection (monthly and yearly) on evaluation of the program and personal professional development aligning with  performance and job responsibilities.
• Plan and Implement emergent curriculum for children in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.
• Use small groups, reflective practice, and observations when planning and implementation of learning experiences.
• Support the development of  the childâ™s role as an integral member of their learning community through developing the childâ™s self-image and competence.
• Prepares materials required for daily instruction and classroom environment for the children.

Communication/Family Relationships (8 %)

• Maintain an open verbal and written communication with parents regarding child development, behavior issues, parent education,  and other child related issues.
• Regularly communicate parent, child, and/or staff issues with the Program Director (i.e., concerned parents, a childâ™s behavior problems, or an
  employeeâ™s performance issues).
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers.

Documentation and Assessment (5 %)

• Assess the  individual childrenâ™s learning and development.
• Maintain accurate documentation and anecdotal records on children.
• Review assessments and documentation of childrenâ™s learning to revisit, reflect, and extend emergent curriculum, investigations, and  small group explorations.
• Update and extend documentation to reflect childrenâ™s work, processes, questions, and dialogues between teacher to child, child-to-child, with  encounters, investigations and projects.

Supervising Student Staff (5 %)

• Regularly communicate and collaborate in supporting the childrenâ™s overall healthy development. 
• May provide directions in the care, education, and supervision of children, including changing, toileting, feeding, naptime, and playground supervision. This also included preparation and cleanup of educational materials.

Supervising Lab Students  (2 %)

• Regularly communicate and collaborate in supporting the childrenâ™s overall healthy development. This includes assessments of lab activities implemented by the education student.
• May provide directions in the care, education, and supervision of children, including changing, toileting, feeding, naptime, and playground supervision. This also included preparation and cleanup of educational materials.
  
   

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and two years of relevant work experience; Minnesota Pre- kindergarten teacher licensure or equivalent.
• A combination of education, and teacher experience that meets State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 3 (9503.0032) requirements for a Teacher. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9503.0032/ for additional qualifications.
• Have or be willing to obtain within 90 days, 8 hours approved first aid training and Infant CPR.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds and identities.
• Pass background fingerprint study and reference verification that meets requirements of State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule
• Must be able to repeatedly perform each of the following:
  • Physically supervise young children, protecting and preventing harm to them.
  • Immediately respond to emergency situations.
  • Visually and aurally observe children in their environment.
  • Bend, stoop, stand, reach, squat, sit (on floor and/or child size chairs).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in providing daily care, developmentally appropriate education, and supervision of young children from a variety of backgrounds,
  identities, and communities.
• Ability to observe children and adapt curriculum based on their developmental needs and interests.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate an understanding of child development and best teaching practices.
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with colleagues, parents, and children in a professional manner.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize.

About University of Minnesota Crookston

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMN Crookston) is one of five campuses comprising the University of Minnesota system. UMN Crookston is a four-year public university with an enrollment of 1,800 students, approximately half on campus and half in online degrees.  The student body is diverse and comes from over 40 states and over 30 countries. Thirty-four baccalaureate degrees are offered, 15 of which are also offered online.  UMN Crookston proudly carries on a tradition of over a century of educational service to northwestern Minnesota, beginning in 1906 as a regional residential high school, changing to a two-year college in 1966 and to a four-year college in 1993.  UMN Crookston is a small student-centered community of learning and scholars known for providing personal attention to every student.  UMN Crookston makes a commitment to each individual student’s achievements and offers a hands-on approach and experiential learning that put students ahead of the competition. Integral to the university's statewide land-grant mission, UMN Crookston provides applied, career-oriented learning programs including internships and connects its teaching, research, and outreach to local, co...unty, and regional economic development agencies in support of the global economy. UMN Crookston delivers world?class University of Minnesota degrees in an affordable, close?knit campus setting where faculty and staff personally invest in the success of each student. UMN Crookston has been recognized for its quality programs by such organizations as U.S. News & World Report, which ranked the campus as #1 in the category Top Public Regional Colleges–Midwest for 2020.  U.S. News has ranked UMN Crookston among the top four in this category for the past 23 consecutive years.

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