What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Lead Educator position at Preschool of the Arts Charleston?
We are seeking a visionary Lead Preschool Teacher to join our school. In our environment, we view the child as a "protagonist"—full of curiosity, potential, and a hundred languages. This is not just a teaching role; it is a role for a researcher, an artist, and a collaborator who believes in the power of an emergent curriculum and the environment as the "third teacher."
Key Responsibilities
- Curriculum & Inquiry: Design and implement an emergent curriculum that springs from the children's interests, questions, and observations. Facilitate long-term "progettazione" (projects) that encourage deep exploration.
- Documentation: Maintain high-level pedagogical documentation. This includes capturing children’s dialogue, photographs of their work, and video to make their learning processes visible to families and the community.
- The Atelier Experience: Curate an intentional classroom environment using natural, recycled, and open-ended materials (loose parts) to provoke wonder and complex thought.
- Collaborative Leadership: Partner with the Atelierista and Co-Teachers to reflect on classroom dynamics and evolve teaching strategies through daily "pensiero" (reflection).
- Family Partnership: Foster a warm, transparent relationship with parents, viewing them as essential partners in the educational journey through regular portfolios and parent-teacher dialogues.
Professional Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of lead teaching experience, specifically within a Reggio Emilia or inquiry-based setting.
- Philosophical Alignment: A profound understanding of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, including the image of the child as capable and the importance of social-constructivism.
- Artistic Sensibility: Ability to integrate various "languages" (drawing, clay, movement, drama) into the daily learning experience.
The ideal candidate will not only manage the day-to-day needs of the classroom but will also act as a pedagogical storyteller, weaving together the children’s discoveries into a visible narrative that reflects the school’s commitment to excellence and wonder.
Education:
- Bachelor's (Preferred)
Work Location: In person