FTCNS is Hiring a Lead Co-Teacher!

Families Together Cooperative Nursery School (FTCNS, www.ftcns.org) is a DCFS-licensed cooperative preschool in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, which provides a play-based educational environment where parents and caregivers are integral to the life of the school. At our core is a commitment to equity and anti-oppression practices, genuine collaboration between educators, families and children, and a creative and flexible approach to supporting each child’s cognitive, social and emotional growth. We offer part-day preschool classes that are 2 ½ – 3 hours in the morning and afternoon along with lunch and after school programs.

 

FTCNS is seeking a dynamic early childhood educator to work as a co-teacher in our play-based classrooms with preschool children ages 2.5 to 5, beginning in mid-August, 2020. This position is an excellent opportunity for an early childhood educator who loves working with preschoolers, thrives when collaborating with other educators, embraces their role as a developer of emergent, anti-bias focused curriculum, and deeply values the role of play and family involvement in the healthy development of preschool aged children.

 

A full-time position is available and will begin with orientation in early August, 2020. The FTCNS school year lasts from late-August to the beginning of June (with the possibility of an extension through the end of June to make up any days of required closure), with an opportunity to do extra paid work in our summer camp. The teacher’s contracted schedule will be Monday through Thursday, 7:45am-4:15pm and Friday, 8:15am-2:45pm. A teacher in this position will teach three different classes.

 

Outside of teaching hours, FTCNS part and full-time teachers should expect to spend regular time engaging in collaborative curriculum planning, communicating with families, documenting student learning, participating in professional development and staff meetings, and attending occasional school events (such as fundraisers, admissions events, and community celebrations).

 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following key competencies:
  • An experienced perspective, confidence, and joy in facilitating developmentally appropriate play, leading children through a balance of group and individual activities and multiple transitions, and supervising and ensuring the safety and well-being of a group of up to 20 young children.
  • A strong belief in the importance of honoring children’s ideas and responding to their developmental needs through curriculum development, guidance, and daily interactions.
  • A nurturing and patient approach to interpersonal exchange.
  • A commitment to self-reflection and strong problem solving skills.
  • An organized and efficient approach to managing responsibilities.
  • An enjoyment of working collaboratively with other educators.
  • An eagerness to apply innovative solutions to meet the needs of a diverse group of young children.
  • A welcoming and flexible approach to working with rotating parent-volunteers on a daily basis.
  • An understanding of how to apply equity-centered educational practices in a preschool setting.
  • A devotion to continuously increasing her/his/their own cultural competence.
  • A capacity for implementing anti-bias curriculum.
  • A commitment to full inclusion of children and families with disabilities and an understanding and appreciation for human neurodiversity.
  • The ability to clearly communicate with specificity and sensitivity, both verbally and in writing.
  • An enthusiastic embrace of technology as a tool for communication about and documentation of the day-to-day learning in a low/no-tech play-based classroom.

 

FTCNS is an employer that is actively engaged in work to nurture and increase our diversity, promote equity, and combat oppression. People of color and LGBTQIA candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. FTCNS provides equal opportunity employment to all employees and job applicants regardless of race, culture, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, military discharge status, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws.

 

CO-TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

 

This position offers a highly competitive salary, paid time off, health and other benefits, and professional development opportunities.

 

Minimum requirements for the position include:
  • Demonstrated experience teaching in an early childhood education program.
  • An associate’s or bachelor’s degree and at least 21 higher education credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education.
  • Proficiency (or willingness to develop proficiency) in using Google applications (including Gmail, Drive and Docs, Photos, Calendar, and Sheets) and taking photos with a smartphone/iPod.
  • Comfort with singing, dancing/moving, and leading children in song and movement.
  • The ability to see clearly at close and far distance, stand and walk for long periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and crouch, kneel, stoop or crawl with ease. (Modifications may be made to enable qualified individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.)
  • Willingness to: furnish written information regarding any criminal convictions; submit to fingerprinting and an Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) background check; provide a recent state health examination form completed by a healthcare professional, including proof of required immunizations.

 

Preferred qualifications for the position include:
  • A bachelors or Masters degree in early childhood education, early childhood special education, elementary education, or child development OR
  • A bachelors or Masters degree in any field with at least 36 higher education credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, and/or early childhood special education OR
  • State certification to teach preschool aged children in a public school.

 

To be considered for this position, please send a current resume and a letter explaining why your experience, skills, schedule, and approach to early childhood education would make you a great fit for this position and our school.

 

Please send resume and cover letter to hiring@ftcns.org by July 1, 2020. Questions/inquiries may also be emailed to hiring@ftcns.org.