Toddler Co-Lead Teacher

About Aspen Center Organization

The Aspen Center is a non-profit early care and education setting in Longmont, Colorado working with a diverse population of children and families. Inspired by the Reggio Emila Approach, we focus on developmentally appropriate, creative experiences with children. We're located in the heart of downtown Longmont, which offers many wonderful opportunities for teachers and children.

As a Full-time Employee, You’ll Enjoy

• Potential tuition assistance for your child at the Center.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Paid Holidays.
• Sick Leave & PTO.
• 403(b) with company match.
• Company-paid Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability.
• Access to OUR Center services.
• Our policies and practices follow a family-friendly approach.
  
  

Position Description

The Toddler Co-Lead Teacher collaborates with co-lead teacher and school Director to provide a high-quality early care and education experience for a classroom of children, age 12-36 months, enrolled at the Aspen Center. This position assumes the role of partner, nurturer and guide in leading children’s learning, using documentation and Teaching Strategies Gold to assess their growth and development, and individualizing care of toddlers based on needs. Teachers at the Aspen Center follow State Licensing Rules and Regulations, Boulder County Health Department mandates, and all other regulations pertaining to the health and safety of children and staff.

Essential Duties

• Provides a warm, welcoming, nurturing, and responsive environment for toddlers and their families.
• Collaborates with their co-teacher in planning, curriculum development, and implementation of school pedagogy.
• Supports a team of toddler caregivers, providing guidance, mentorship, and training as needed, in collaboration with their co-teacher.
• Collaborates with families to ensure open communication and involvement in their child’s development and care.
• Documents children’s learning and makes it visible in the classroom.
• Collects objective observations to use with the Teaching Strategies Gold software for authentic assessment of children’s learning.
• Facilitates parent - teacher dialogues twice a year.
• Maintains appropriate records related to children.
• Adheres to the health policies implemented by Aspen Center and recommended by the CDC, CDPHE, and Boulder County Public Health.
• Follows OUR Center/Aspen Center policies and procedures with integrity.
  
  

Other Duties

• Attends program-specific meetings, making presentations when necessary or beneficial, and represents OUR Center/Aspen Center in the community with the highest of standards.
• Exercises confidentiality, sensitivity, and professionalism, upholding Organization’s values and goals.
• Models best practices in early childhood education to peers.
• Stays current on best practices in early childhood education and toddler development, incorporating new research and methodologies into program planning.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Training:

• Meets Colorado licensing requirements for Toddler Classroom Teacher.
• CDA, Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care, or Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Human Development, or related field preferred; OR
• PDIS Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher in Version 3.0.
• Group Leader/ECT qualified.
• Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care (EQIT) preferred.
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred.
• Classroom teaching experience in a constructivist or Reggio Emilia-Inspired learning environment.
  
  

Experience

• Experience working with infants and/or toddlers.
• Classroom teaching experience in a constructivist or Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• General knowledge of the State of Colorado Childcare Licensing rules and regulations and county health department guidelines.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with staff, families and administration.
• Ability to maintain a positive and nurturing environment while managing multiple priorities and tasks.
• Strong written and oral communication skills. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.’
• Advanced computer skills, including internet and Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Must obtain within 30 days, and maintain, certifications required by program contracts.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Required lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds occasionally and 30 pounds regularly.
• Ability to sit and more around on the floor.
• Ability to clean and sanitize surfaces, toys, counter, equipment, and daily laundry.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, family forward environment.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.
  
  

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.

OUR Center is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. OUR Center makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. For more information, read through our EEO Policy which can be found here: OUR Center Staff.

About OUR Center

Outreach United Resource Center, Inc. (dba OUR Center) has provided critical services such as food, clothing, housing, and utilities to help families achieve self-reliance since 1986. We offer "a hand up, not a hand out" to residents of the St. Vrain Valley School District of Colorado. Aspen Center for Child Development, a program of OUR Center, provides care that enhances the social, intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being of children and their families from all income levels in and around the Longmont community and supports those in need, toward self-sufficiency.