At Laurelwood, we are inspired by the world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach to early education, which focuses on inquiry and discovery while emphasizing learning through the natural sciences and expressive arts in a play-based environment. Our goal is to stimulate children’s learning, support critical thinking and make learning visible. We achieve this goal by engaging in project-based learning, collaboration between children, educators, family members and documentation of the students’ learning during the process.

We are looking for an experienced educator who is flexible to work with any of the following age groups: twos, threes/fours, fours/fives. However, the current opening is in our fours/fives classroom. This position is full-time, Monday - Friday, approximately 6:45 am to 3:00 pm. On Tuesdays, there is a staff meeting until 4:15 pm. Weekly art studio meeting 7:00 am to 7:45 am. We are a year-round school.

Highlights of Position

• Supports the social and emotional development of children through the use of conflict resolution, reflective listening and inquiry
• Utilizes the environment as the third teacher by creating a beautiful, intentional and stimulating indoor and outdoor classroom
• Communicates regularly with parents in order to make learning visible through daily and weekly documentation such as notes, portfolios, emails, documentation boards, etc.
• Seeks parents and family input as a way to extend projects, reflect on past work and build relationships in our Laurelwood community
• Collaborates with colleagues to analyze and interpret documentation and envision/create the next steps for small group exploration
• Comfortable working in an environment where the children’s interests serve as the catalyst for learning versus a predetermined curriculum
• Appreciation for and a desire to scaffold nature-based education
• Attends school events, activities outside of the classroom, weekly staff meeting
• Utilizes research, documentation, and assessments to guide teaching and curriculum. NC Foundations is heavily utilized.
• Holds parent-teacher conferences twice per year. Meets with parents at other times as deemed necessary.

Requirements

• 1 or 2 year degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or BA/BS degree in a closely related field with 12 semester credit hours in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
• 1 year full-time experience in a Reggio-inspired school or inquiry-based school
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and written
• Computer literacy and skills in Microsoft Office
• Kind, nurturing, playful, and patient demeanor
• Organizational skills
• Creative thinker

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Must be able to successfully pass criminal background check. Submission of physician-approved Medical Report and negative TB test.

EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits
Warm and supportive work environment includes competitive compensation, 5 hours weekly planning time, paid holidays (19 per year), two weeks’ vacation, sick/personal time, paid professional development, 25% child tuition discount, $200 monthly health care stipend, and matching 401(k) retirement program.

To Apply

If you would like to apply, please click here to access our employment application. Please save the application to your computer and complete it off-line.

Applications can be emailed with resume and cover letter by clicking here.

Only qualified candidates will be notified regarding their submissions. Thank you in advance for your interest in being part of the Laurelwood team!