Associate Infant/Toddler Educator - Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

SEEC offers a rich learning environment for children, families, and teachers in our community and at the same time extends its innovative practices to professionals in schools and museums through its Office of Engagement. Since 1988, classroom and museum educators at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center have engaged students in meaningful learning experiences based upon educational strategies and techniques that work effectively for children in their formative years. SEEC strives to create a community built on mutual respect and equity, where every child sees themselves and embraces and celebrates the diversity within our school community and beyond. It is our ultimate goal for every member of our community to feel safe, welcomed, and valued.

As an organization, SEEC continues to grow as a leader in the field of museum-based early education and influences practice within museums and schools. SEEC offers a highly professional staff, a supportive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. Please learn more about SEEC on our websites: www.si.edu/SEEC and www.seecstories.com. Come and be part of an exciting museum-based school and experience more than the typical early childhood classroom with SEEC - our ordinary is extraordinary!

Position Description

The Associate Classroom Educator works within a classroom team to aid in the development of a thoughtful and responsive curriculum that not only meets the daily needs of the children in a specific classroom but provides them with meaningful daily learning experiences, both in and out of the classroom.

The purpose of the Associate Classroom Educator position is to provide support to the Lead Classroom Educator and to assist in meeting the daily needs of the children in a classroom, as well as help plan and implement the daily activities. Associate Classroom Educators will also be prepared to step into the role of Lead Classroom Educator, if necessary, during the school day.

HERE’S MORE OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Plan, create, and share lessons and experiences for your classroom using SEEC’s emergent, anti-bias, and object-based approach
• Foster and promote a positive sense of self, growing independence, and exploration of identity
• Working within your team to track and document children’s growth and development, including providing perspective and feedback to families and administrators

YOU WILL COLLABORATE WITH YOUR TEAM BY:

• Modeling and implementing developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and equitable teaching practices and classroom management techniques
• Work to support and add to your team’s overall growth, including being an advocate for new ideas and problem solving
• Contribute to lesson planning and execution

YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AND UPHOLD SEEC’s HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS BY:

• Engage in a positive working partnership with families and caregivers within the school community, including maintaining open lines of communication and welcoming participation in classroom activities
• Working alongside other educators in our program to advance and expand knowledge of child development through sharing ideas, observations, and suggestions with other faculty
• Committing to ongoing learning and reflecting on how bias, racism, and inequity appear in the early childhood education field, including how it affects teaching practices, relationships with colleagues, and relationship to our organization

Ideal candidates have experience working and teaching in a classroom or childcare setting. They are flexible, take initiative, and eager to learn how SEEC approaches early education!

You will be most prepared for this role if you have a combination of the following -

KNOWLEDGE:

• Familiarity of educational theory and practices in schools and museums. Must be familiar with current information on how young children learn and develop, what they are capable of learning at different ages, and best practices for encouraging this learning.
• Familiarity with teaching methods that promote object-based, experiential learning, child development, and effective classroom management techniques. Must also show a commitment to learning about cultural and equity issues related to education.

SKILLS:

• Skill in coordinating multiple tasks associated with high quality early education programs.
• Skill in using computer software for word processing and internet applications
• Must demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in teams with other Early Childhood professionals and administrators

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

SEEC participates in OSSE's Pay Equity Fund (https://osse.dc.gov/fy24ecepayequity). Through this program, SEEC is able to offer competitive salaries for our educators. To qualify for this, you must hold one of the credentials below:

• A current CDA credential in Infant and Toddler development or
• A completed associate degree (or higher) in any subject field

In Addition To:

• Ability to pass a criminal background and credit check required by OSSE and Smithsonian Institution
• MUST be able to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening as required by DC licensing guidelines
• Must be COVID Vaccinated and Boosted as required by DC licensing guidelines
• Ability to meet Physical Demands: to properly interact with the children in classroom settings, museum settings, and outdoors, educators are required to walk, stoop, sit, stand, and kneel for extended periods over the course of the day. They also must be able to lift 20-40 lbs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,736.00 - $51,576.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Washington, DC (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $48,736 - $51,576