Reports to: Infant-Toddler Education Program Director
Beginning August 19th, 2024
Full Time/In Person – 1.0 FTE 

UCDS  Infant-Toddler Education Program Seeks to Add an Infant/Waddler Lead Teacher
The Infant/Waddler teaching team is composed of two lead teachers with additional support from the curricular support teaching team. The two lead teachers are responsible for the planning and facilitation of the classroom curriculum, care of children, parent/guardian communication, and creating individualized and group documentation. There are 7 students in the infant/waddler cohort.

UCDS Infant-Toddler Education Program Description
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 350+ students, Studio Program (Infants/Waddlers to Young Preschool), Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students.

The UCDS  Infant-Toddler Education Program, known as The Studio, is a Reggio-inspired early learning program serving students ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. The Studio allows our youngest students the opportunity to learn through play, investigation, and discovery. With an emphasis on communication and cooperation, learning also occurs through relationships with others, and we design experiences that support children to see themselves as active participants who make an impact in their communities.

The Studio program is organized into three classrooms with two locations. The infant/waddler classroom with children ranging in age from 2 months-13 months at the start of the year and the toddler classroom with children ranging in age from 14 months-23 months old at the start of the year is located in our Studio House building one block from the main UCDS campus. The preschool classroom with children between the ages of 2-3 years old at the start of the year is located on the main UCDS campus. 

UCDS Studio’s Curriculum Design
Inspired by The Reggio Approach, UCDS Studio is composed of highly collaborative teachers who are part of teaching teams that use observations about children to design innovative and responsive educational programs. Our classroom curriculum reflects students’ wonderings, development, and relationships with each other and the world around them and learning emerges from children’s theories and ideas as they experiment, investigate, question, and explore. The curriculum design creates extended blocks of time for discovery, play, and group projects that feed and inspire children’s curiosity.

UCDS Studio’s Image of the Teacher
Applicants should hold an Image of the Teacher that reflects the belief that teachers are co-researchers, coaches, and mentors who learn and grow alongside students in the classroom. Teachers at UCDS Studio lean into children’s inspirations and ideas, documenting the process of learning through notes and pictures, studying children’s behaviors and interests, and considering each unique individual both as their independent self and as part of the classroom community. Teachers at UCDS Studio are committed to cultivating inclusive classrooms and use the Social Justice Standards framework to build curriculum that reflects the diversity in our world.

An Infant/Waddler Teacher builds generative and collaborative curricula, supports the mission of UCDS, engages in mentorship models, and demonstrates flexibility. 

UCDS Studio’s Commitment to Collegial Relationships and Collaboration
Collegial relationships and a strong growth mindset are foundational to how our school functions. Every teacher at UCDS works as a member of a school-wide teaching team and as a member of their level’s team to design and implement curriculum, instruct students, individualize learning, and support school-wide events and programs. In the spirit of innovation, faculty share teaching methods, materials, and assessment techniques within and beyond our school community. The process of collaboratively building, implementing, evaluating, and revising programs is at the core of UCDS and is required of every faculty member. 

Qualifications 

• Inspired by children’s wonder and natural curiosity about the world around them. 
• Bachelor’s degree. Preference will be given to degrees related to Education but a degree in Education is not required.
• Ability to relate well to children and sensitivity to their individual needs.
• Ability to work with children and adults from a variety of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong speaking and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to work with other staff members in a team teaching situation.
• Ability to take direction and constructive feedback and use it productively.
• Flexibility in assignments i.e. shifting schedules, moving between classrooms, shifts in duties and routines.
• STARS 30 Hours Basic Training (can be completed within the first 3 months of employment)
• Familiarity with the Reggio-Emilia philosophy or constructivist curriculum is preferred.
• Current CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and negative TB certificates (Completed within 3 months of the date of hire and prior to working in an unsupervised capacity with students. Fees associated with these trainings will be reimbursed by the school.)
• Minimum age of 18 years

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time, be outside in all types of weather, and pick up heavy objects, including young children. 
• Routinely kneel, bend, crouch, stand, walk, and sit on child-sized chairs throughout the day.
• The work is typically performed in a school environment, with moderate to loud noise.
• Time spent outside every day with young children exploring our play spaces, surrounding neighborhood, and city. 
• May be expected to work occasional evenings or overtime to support special programs/events. 

Additional Requirements 

• Meet the school’s standard when completing all background screenings. 

Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: 60,000-62,000
This compensation reflects the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) and will be prorated based on the start date.  

The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees subject to the discretion of the Head of School, which includes:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with available employer matching
• Paid sick leave
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and their dependents
• Wellness benefit is to be used on items or services that promote wellness
• Professional Development opportunities
• Free Parking

We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment. Our goal is to hire the best employees of all backgrounds who will bring their unique talents and abilities to our school.

How To Apply
We are currently scheduling interviews for this position. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “apply now” button to submit a resume and a detailed cover letter addressing the following three questions:

• What interests you about working at UCDS Studio? 
• How do your experiences and qualifications directly relate to being a lead infant/waddler teacher at UCDS Studio? 
• What is a teacher’s role in young children’s learning? 

Non-Discrimination Policy
University Child Development School is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to promoting diversity in the workplace and to seeking a diverse and broad spectrum of qualified candidates. The School does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, or sexual orientation.