Preschool Instructor (PK3) at The Mount Vernon School – Atlanta, Georgia

At The Mount Vernon School, students are empowered to discover, explore, learn, design, create, and effect change. With a commitment to Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA), we welcome the opportunity to engage in honest, vulnerable, and courageous conversations that challenge our biases and assumptions. Our goal is to design a better world, so we choose to equip students with the knowledge, skills, attributes, and relationships they need to be impact-ready.

Committed to low student-teacher ratios, our school adheres to the highest standards and is NAEYC Accredited. We believe children learn best in a play-based environment, where teachers shape the experience to serve each child's individual needs through inquiry-based practices. We also invest in teacher learning and growth and provide robust opportunities for training and conferences during the school year.

The Mount Vernon School is seeking a full-time PK3 teacher to join our Preschool. This 10-month position follows The Mount Vernon School’s school calendar and schedule. Preschool teachers at Mount Vernon collaborate to develop inquiry-based experiences for students that include the Project Approach and provocations for small-group learning. We believe that students are agents of change and can impact our world as changemakers at even the youngest of ages. Our School believes in fostering the development of the whole child through hands-on, play-based activities, encouraging children to explore and learn through real-world experiences. Our teachers nurture children’s curiosities and build foundational academic knowledge while honing in on the social-emotional development of each individual student.

• Embodying the School's mission and advancing the School's vision
• Planning and facilitating learning experiences
• Co-designing curriculum and assessment with Learning Coaches, teaching partners, Connections teachers, Experts in Residents, and External Experts
• Curating comprehensive records of performance, progress, and goals through standards-based grading, ePortfolios, and conferencing
• Communicating and collaborating with families, learning coaches, and outside providers
• Engaging in learning experiences alongside the students
• Maintaining and organizing an innovative and collaborative learning environment
• Initiating professional growth opportunities
• Participating in a Research & Design Team as part of professional learning
• Adhering to responsibilities such as carpool duty, lunch and recess supervision, and faculty meetings
• Contributing to School life beyond the classroom including Family Nights, arts and athletic events, and service opportunities

• Ability to cultivate respectful and affirming environments
• Culturally proficient & equity literate
• Creating predictable, consistent, and harmonious classrooms
• Design enriched learning environments
• Facilitate learning through inquiry

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent; an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience working with young children in a classroom, childcare, or similar setting.
• Familiarity with NAEYC standards and criteria is a plus.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Work Environment

• Indoor/outdoor classroom environment
• Outdoor natural learning spaces

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. and engage in activities at the child’s level.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office and classroom equipment.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist children.
• Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.

This job description is intended to describe the basic elements of the job and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. This job description does not constitute a contract. It may be modified or amended at any time as determined in the School’s discretion.

The faculty and staff of The Mount Vernon School believe the fair and equitable treatment of employees is critical to fulfilling its mission and purpose. It is the policy of The Mount Vernon School to conduct business and provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.