Learning development center mentor teacher

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

Special Information

• This position is subject to compliance with Arizona Department of Public Safety regulations. The successful candidate will be required to obtain a DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card. The final offer of employment is contingent on the ability to obtain a DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card, if the employee has not already obtained one.
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Job Description

NAU's Early Learning & Development Center is searching for an energetic Mentor Teacher to join their dynamic team. The Mentor Teacher is responsible for implementing and cultivating a rich learning experience for young children in NAU’s Early Learning and Development Center. The ideal teacher will implement a child-centered curriculum through inquiry-based learning and are expected to model exemplary early childhood education practices. Mentor Teachers will be responsible for classroom operations, while engaging in their own professional growth and the mentoring of other students and educators in the field. The Early Learning and Development Center (ELDC) exemplifies an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, improving inclusive early childhood pedagogy through education, research, and community engagement. The Early Learning and Development Center will provide high-quality education to young children while serving the needs of student-parents, faculty, staff, and the broader community. The NAU ELDC will be in the heart of historic Flagstaff near the NAU mountain campus. The NAU ELDC will follow NAEYC best practices that include small group size, high-adult to low-child ratios, a safe well-planned environment, educated and experienced teachers, curriculum that supports cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, family involvement, strong leadership, and a work environment that supports continuing education.

Classroom Instruction and Support - 50%

• Guides students to meet standards in social emotional, physical, language, social studies, and the arts domains.
• Manages the day-to-day operations of the classroom including the monitoring and responsibility of 20-25 students.
• Implements NAEYC developmentally appropriate practices in the the classroom, making sure Co-Teachers and students abide by lesson plans.
• Creates an environment and structure for maintaining classroom order and behavior management.
• Lead children in the classroom using the Project Approach as a framework for learning experiences such as allowing students to guide their own learning based on individual needs.
• Assists children in personal hygiene needs such as diapering, toilet training support and other basic personal hygiene activities.

Instructional Planning - 15%

• Develops lesson plans utilizing the Project Approach curriculum to promote literacy, language, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, arts, and social emotional development.
• Collaborates with co-teacher to plan and implement classroom learning experiences.
• Creates lesson plans for students based on NAEYC accreditation practices and the Project Approach in the daily life of the classroom.

Assessment - 15%

• Uses authentic assessment strategies including photography, anecdotal records, children’s words, and artifacts as a means to measure student learning.
• Creates and displays children’s learning through documentation panels.
• Creates and manage a portfolio for every child in the classroom as a form of authentic assessment to demonstrate children’s learning.
• Manages data entered into the Child Assessment App –Kaymbu along with the Co-Teacher for accurate tracking of children’s growth and learning milestones.
• Share updates and progress reports with families or parental units as needed.
• Collaborate with families on the growth and assessment outcomes of their children.

Professional Development and Mentorship - 15%

• Engages in teacher inquiry to inform learning that is shared within the professional learning community, conferences, and publication.
• Remain updated on current research-based practices and translate them into practice.
• Mentor and coach pre-service teachers based on research-based practices.
• Build authentic relationships with families through a variety of communication strategies.
• May provide additional guidance or support to student employees of the center.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or closely related field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience working with young children.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or a closely related field.
• Three or more years of experience working with young children.
• Experience in lesson planning, authentic child assessment, and the use of appropriate technology.
• Holds a DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card .

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of best practices and current research in early childhood education.
• Knowledge of the NAEYC standards for professionals.
• Knowledge of diverse cultures and abilities, specifically in early childhood education settings.
• Knowledge of the early childhood education and early childhood special education field.
• Knowledge of diverse cultures, families, and children, including children with special educational needs.
• Knowledge of mentoring and coaching students and educators in the early childhood education field.
• Knowledge of lesson planning, authentic child assessment, and the use of appropriate technology.

Skills

• Use of appropriate technology for lesson planning and authentic child assessment
• Strong communication skills with diverse cultures, families, and children with a variety of needs.
• Develop a culture of caring through the implementation of positive guidance techniques in the classroom.

Abilities

• Ability to run, squat, and participate side by side with young children.
• Must be able to anticipate needs as situations arise, assess and respond to any situation as it emerges.
• Collaboration with classroom colleagues and other staff on supporting classroom practices.
• Ability to mentor practicum students and student teachers in the early childhood education field.
• Ability to engage in self-reflection and inquiry within one’s own teaching practice through coaching and professional development planning.
• Ensures the health and safety of the children enrolled, while carrying out a supportive daily routine conducive to children’s learning.
• Ability to develop professional development or publications that are shared at conferences or other professional learning communities.

Background Information

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Salary range begins at $47,634. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

April 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at , , or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.