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Co-Teacher

Thinkery
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ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION 

Thinkery is where children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. As a trusted children’s museum, community and learning hub, and educational leader, we believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for all children, regardless of means, to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. 

At the Thinkery Meredith Learning Lab located in Mueller, we proudly offer innovative, interactive museum exhibits and activities and early childhood education through our Little Thinkers Preschool, and led by our STEAM Learning Institute, we provide research-backed, community-based professional development programs and trainings for educators- all cultivating a love of learning and encouraging exploration and understanding of the many facets of STEAM and its ability to inspire confident, creative thinkers.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

A co-teacher is co-responsible for the education of students in their class. They will plan, facilitate activities, assess growth and development, and collaborate with their teaching team, doing so in a way that meets the needs of each individual student.  Co-Teachers will build relationships with families and caregivers, providing feedback and communication. throughout the school day. On the job training will be provided including school’s curriculum, teaching methods, school’s resources, and STEAM integration into early education classroom.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Work in a collaborative teaching team and ensure the individual (physical, social-emotional, and cognitive developmental) needs of each child are met
  • Maintain a positive, responsible, respectful, flexible, and professional attitude towards children, families and colleagues
  • Co-create and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment for all children in the preschool classroom that complies with the minimum standards set forth by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS)
  • Collaborate with Lead Teacher and ensure learning activities are age appropriate and follow the Little Thinkers Preschool Pre-K Scope & Sequence in alignment with Texas Pre-K guidelines which supports and promotes school readiness
  • Plan/co-plan STEAM based curricula based on Lead Teacher’s learning framework content
  • Facilitate/co-facilitate STEAM based activities and lessons daily using Lead Teacher’s learning framework content
  • Prepare activities and materials daily
  • Co-assess and evaluate students daily for growth and development
  • Plan/co-plan STEAM based curricula based on Lead Teacher’s learning framework content
  • Help to support students needing extra guidance in collaboration with Lead Teacher
  • Provide consistent and effective feedback and communicate with caregivers showing student involvement and progress through daily activities and explorations in collaboration with Lead Teacher
  • Support Lead Teacher in communicating student progress with caregivers by attending a minimum of two parent/teacher conferences each school year
  • Guide behavior and support classroom expectations
  • Ensure Thinkery’s Health and Safety protocols are followed at all times by providing supervision during all activities.
  • Report, document and provide immediate and effective communication to classroom team and Site Director of any accidents or unusual behaviors AND if witnessing teacher, complete an Incident Report by no later than end of school day in which the occurrence happens.
  • Assist with camps, with a primary focus on Pre-K camps which include LTP students/families, during the summer when LTP is not in session.

 

 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Serve as an ambassador for Thinkery in communicating and furthering the mission and goals of the institution.
  • Flexible and willing to fill cross-functional roles to support museum operations.
  • Represent Thinkery’s key values of Belonging, Innovation, Playfulness, and Collaboration.
  • Support a culture of cross-organization communication, collaboration, and information sharing.
  • Schedule and availability reflects that the organization is a 7-day-a-week operation with Little Thinkers Preschool being a 5-day-a-week operation. Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday, with flexibility for personal needs and preferences.  Periodic duties outside of/in excess of regular work week schedule during seasonal high-volume times.
  • Ability to meet all state mandated health and background screening including fingerprinting.

 

COMPETENCIES  

  • Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.  
  • Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutions.          
  • Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.   
  • Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.  
  • Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.  
  • Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.  
  • Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.  
  • Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.   
  • Values Differences:  Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES   

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

  • Proficient computer abilities with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written
  • Detail oriented, able to prioritize, multitask, handle multiple individual requests
  • Attend continuing education trainings
  • Complete the required CPE hours and maintain active CPR/First Aid and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect certifications

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

  • Reports to LTP Site Director

 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

  • High School Diploma or GED required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education Special Education, or Elementary Special Education is preferred.
  • Experience working with children and parents in an early childhood education teacher, preferably at a NAEYC or TRS-accredited program.
  • Complies with all state education and licensing standards and maintains validation of credentials for the position (i.e. professional development).

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is active.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

  • Observe and react to the needs of students, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Move throughout the museum.
  • Manipulate and move components weighing up to 45 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level.
  • Communicate and exchange accurate information with students and their parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and community partners in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone. 
  • Detect and respond to safety hazards.
  • Regularly work in outdoor environments.
  • Position Specific: Conduct trainings and deliver content to groups of staff, guests and community partners.

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BENEFITS  

  • Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes:  
  • Medical insurance options including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans.   
  • Affordable dental and vision  
  • 100% employer sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance  
  • 2 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year  
  • Paid Family Leave  
  • Pet and child-friendly offices  
  • Membership to the museum and discounted rates to Little Thinker’s Preschool and Camps   

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This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for this job.  Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required.  This job description may be updated as needed.  

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above-listed items.  All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to background and reference checks.