Career Center

Posting Summary:
The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, is seeking a highly qualified head teacher to join our infant room instructional team. The incumbent must be able to provide direct care, leading a classroom of infants, ages 3 months-24 months within a play-based classroom with an emergency curriculum focused on caring and responsive relationships.

Job Summary/Basic Function:
The Rita Gold Early Childhood Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, is seeking a highly qualified head teacher to join our infant room instructional team. The incumbent must be able to provide direct care, leading a classroom of infants, ages 3 months-24 months.

The Rita Gold Center serves families with children from six weeks to five years of age and offers a rich combination of care and education in ways that mirror the interests and developmental characteristics of young children. The overall approach utilizes inter-age placement in settings that are culturally responsive and inclusive.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching

• Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based, and equity-oriented educational program with an emergent curriculum for an assigned class of school children
• Document children’s progress daily to inform curriculum and communicate with parents by recording children’s activities and engagement in the room
• Develop supportive and caring relationships with parents that fosters a home-school connection to facilitate children’s adjustment and ongoing learning
• Maintain communication with parents through daily documentation and as needed through email, verbally, or by initiating parent conferences/meetings; and encouraging parents to participate in classroom or Center-wide events
• Write annual assessment reports for parents that describe each child’s uniqueness, developmental history, and developing skills and strengths, and assess children’s progress on an ongoing basis, as needed
• Form a positive, supportive team atmosphere with co-head teacher and other staff members
• Contribute to the Center’s professional community through attendance and participation at staff meetings, classroom team meetings, and other Center staff development opportunities, including staff development week and staff development days
• Engage in reflection and action about equity initiatives at the Center
• Participate at Center-wide events such as Curriculum Night, including preparation and presentation of materials and responding to parents
• Schedule weekly team meetings with co-teacher and director to develop curriculum, children’s experiences and development, feedback for graduate students and family support
• Perform administrative tasks and record keeping, such as maintenance of daily attendance logs and other required records.

Professional Preparation

• Supervise, meet with, train and utilize graduate students’ skills and abilities in the classroom, as established with co-head teacher and directors, and provide ongoing feedback about their practice and how they can support curriculum
• Mentor students around their particular assignments, as needed
• Model exemplary and high-quality practice and professionalism for grad students who are engaged in early childhood professional preparation
• Participate actively in one’s own professional development and support the professional development and growth of colleagues and grad students at the Center

Research 

• Support ongoing research through facilitating access to the classrooms and providing information in support of the Center’s research aims
• Facilitate or participate in research to support one’s own or others’ research inquiries;

Outreach

• Supporting outreach by modeling a high quality of practice for visitors and engaging with groups outside the center about Center practices
• Meet with visitors, when possible
• Participate in the design and implementation of special events held at the Center
• Other Duties as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications:

• NYS Certification for early childhood or working toward
• Masters degree in early childhood education, child development or related field
• At least one year of experience in an early childhood classroom.
• Ability to engage children using an emergent, play-based curriculum, and develop activities and projects that support children’s exploration of interests
• Ability and willingness to contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the Center.
• Credentials must meet the requirements of the New York City Board of Health, Bureau of Day Care (Fulfill all health, background check, and training requirements of the New York City -Department of Health, Bureau of Childcare prior to the first day, including but not limited to fingerprinting, NYS clearance, health form and immunizations, and mandated trainings.)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team setting

About The Rita Gold Center
Founded in 1982, the RGC provides care for infants, toddlers, preschool children, and their families who are affiliated with Columbia University, and prepares graduate students in the field of early childhood education. We are committed to continually discovering, creating, and sustaining a teaching and learning environment that supports inquiry, diversity, and equity. These foundational principles are interwoven throughout the various dimensions of the position.

For more information about the Rita Gold Early Childhood Center, please visit our website:
http://www.tc.edu/ritagold/