P-3 Certified Preschool Teacher at MERCER STREET FRIENDS CENTER – TRENTON, New Jersey

Nourish.Empower. Thrive.

Wherethere is a need, Mercer Street Friends finds a way.

MercerStreet Friends isdedicated to:

MercerStreet Friends has been serving Mercer County for over 65 years, addressingfood insecurity, supporting families, and providing educational opportunitiesfor children and adults. Through our Food Bank and agency partnerships, weprovide more than 6 million meals annually while connecting families with theresources they need to thrive.

Joinour team and be part of this vital work — where your leadership directlyimpacts families in need and strengthens our community.

Overview:

We areseeking a passionate and dedicated Teacher to join our team. The teacher isresponsible for the supervision and management of a self-contained andchild-centered classroom in keeping with the goals and expectations of theMercer Street Friends Preschool.

EssentialFunctions/Responsibilities:

• Developand implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans based on an approvedcurriculum, best practices, and standards of quality
  
• Addressthe needs of each child and plan accordingly
• Carry outdaily activities in meaningful manner
• Conductongoing assessments and evaluations of the effectiveness
• Theteacher will supervise and ensure each child's safety and physical well-being,maintain regular and consistent positive communication with each parent, andcontribute to the operation of the overall early childhood program
• Plan andoperate a meaningful and effective child development program that addresseseach child's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs based on thegoals and expectations of the program and each child
• Ensurethat the daily routine in each classroom is carried out, including maintaininga safe and sanitary environment, regular hand washing, family-style mealservice, use of universal precautions, assisting children with toileting,including accidents, comforting children at rest time, cleaning and tidyingoccupied areas, and providing smooth transitions between activities
• Alwaysensure the safety of each child through direct supervision, effectivearrangement of space, and proper maintenance of supplies and equipment
• Plan andimplement daily, weekly, and monthly indoor/outdoor activities:
• Usedevelopmentally appropriate assessment tools, including maintenance of accurateand ongoing record keeping of anecdotal and formal, individual and groupassessments of children; careful and non-judgmental observation of andlistening to children
• Create apleasant, inviting atmosphere in which children feel comfortable, happy andsecure
• Focus onprocesses in learning as well as outcomes
• Provideexperiences involving that promote individual self-expression in conversation,imaginative play and creativity
• Provide avariety of stimulating language activities
• Provideexperiences involving higher order thinking skills such as classifying,sorting, generalizing, special relations, music, movement, time problemsolving, letter recognition and number skills
• Provide avariety of opportunities to help children develop and understand interpersonalrelationship building, such as sharing and taking turns
• Maintainpositive relationships with parents. Communicate through a variety of means:verbal, written, phone, and conferences with parents. Provide at minimum weeklyprogress updates to parents. Hold a minimum of two parent conferences per year.Disseminate information monthly or weekly to parents about the plannedclassroom activities
• Participatein all scheduled staff meetings
• Attendprofessional trainings, conferences and workshops. Obtain a minimum of twelvetraining hours per year. Provide a periodic in-service training to colleaguesregarding relevant information learned at workshops, trainings, and conferences
• Completeall undergraduate and or graduate courses to fulfill certificationrequirements, if applicable
• Uponrequest, serve as a supervisor for student teachers
• Work as ateam member to ensure high standard of quality for the entire program
• Assumeadditional duties as requested by the Director of the Preschool or ChiefExecutive Officer

PositionRequirements:

• Bachelor'sdegree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education
  
• Completionof two years teaching experience at the early childhood level (excludingstudent teaching)
  
• NJTeaching Certification and or eligibility for certification in early childhoodeducation (P-3)
• Eligibilityrequirements subject to change based on any legal rulings in the Abbott v.Burke case
• Submissionof completed and unfounded Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) and ChildAbuse Record Information (CARI) background checks
• Certifiedin Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid
• Must bephysically able to perform the essential functions of the job: must be reliableand flexible
• Commitmentto working in a style consistent with the Quaker values of equality, integrity,simplicity, and non-violent conflict resolutions
• Bilingualis a plus
• Commitment/experiencein working with culturally diverse communities/families and the ability to beculturally sensitive and appropriate.

Other:

Benefits: Mercer Street Friends Center offersa comprehensive benefits package including:

Location:

Trenton,NJ

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time

SalaryRange:

55,000-58,000

Category:

EarlyChildhood Education

Numberof Openings:

2

We are anEqual Opportunity Employer. We will consider applicants for this positionwithout regard to any category protected by applicable federal, state or locallaw, including but not limited to:
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mentaldisability, genetic information, veteran status or uniformed service memberstatus.

If hired,I understand my employment is at-will as permitted under applicable statelaw. I understand this means that either the company or I may terminatethe employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause.