Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or closely related field.
• Hold a valid Minnesota State Early Childhood Teacher Licensure.
• At least two years experience working in a toddler or preschool classroom.
• A demonstrated commitment or interest in culturally diverse urban settings; in particular, as it pertains to infants and young children.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children with special needs.
• Experience supervising student teachers.
• trong interpersonal skills enabling one to work both independently and collaboratively and to build consensus with diverse groups of people.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for a classroom in the full day program. The classroom consists of children from all backgrounds and identities in accordance with the policies and philosophy of CDLS and the University. This includes establishing a learning environment that is inclusive and developmentally age appropriate, developing emergent curriculum (see “CDLS Learning Philosophy” for CDLS’s definition), supervising, and monitoring child development, providing high quality care, maintaining classroom materials, first aid and daily health checks. The Teacher also supports and advances the center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Teacher works in collaboration with the Assistant Teacher to plan and implement a high-quality, responsive, enriching, and supportive learning environment that is respectful of each child’s background, development, and needs. The weekly curriculum and learning experiences are rich with relational experiences designed to support the development of a range of social, emotional, self-help, language, literacy, cognitive, and motor skills and should align with the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) and MN Early Childhood Indicators of Progress-ECIPS (Infant, Toddler, and Preschool). Applicants for position must have a MA or MEd in Early Childhood Education, an Early Childhood teaching licensure from the State of Minnesota and at least two years of experience in a toddler or preschool classroom. We are looking to fill positions immediately, but ideally before August 2023. This is a 12-month, full-time position.

CDLS Learning Philosophy
The philosophical orientation of the CDLS is based on socio-cultural (children learn from others in their social world) and constructivist theories (children create their own meaning from their experiences). Learning and development are best supported by uninterrupted play that is based on exploration, project-based, and emergent. Emergent curriculum encourages learning through a balance of children’s interests or identified areas to nurture from observations and assessments. We believe learning should be engaging, interesting, self-motivating, and/or group motivated. It should have a balance of child- and teacher-initiated interest and the teachers’ knowledge of development and content. At the CDLS, communication with children is warm and respectful to provide a sense of well-being, trust, security, and positive relationships.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership (30%)

• Establish and maintain an inclusive, professional and safe learning space for children of all backgrounds, identities, abilities and developmental stages in compliance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards, as well as relevant federal laws (e.g. USDA, ADA/IDEA, EOAA).
• In conjunction with the Assistant Teacher , plan and execute a consistent daily visible schedule of routines and activities.
• Conduct daily checks of the environment; assign, monitor, and follow up on the health and safety of the children and ensure the supervision of children are within sight and sound as per NAEYC and MN DHS Licensing (indoors and outdoors).
• Maintain and secure the confidentiality of information and records regarding staff, children, and families as mandated by the U of MN (e.g. FERPA, MN DHS-Licensing, MN Dept. of Ed., NAEYC accreditation and USDA, HIPAA and ADA).
• Participate in on-going reflection (monthly and yearly) on evaluation of the program and personal professional development aligning with performance and job responsibilities.

Curriculum (30%)

• Participate in planning and implementing emergent curriculum for children in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.
• Uses small groups, reflective practice, and observations for planning and implementing learning experiences.
• Plan and implement curriculum, centering the educational work with children on their emerging interests and on their learning in relationship with others in accordance with the CDLS Learning Philosophy.
• Develop the child’s role as an integral member of their learning community through developing the child’s self-image and competence.
• Prepare materials required for daily instruction for the children, ensuring they meet MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.

Documentation and Assessments (20%)

• Through authentic observation, assess individual children’s learning and development using the assigned assessment tool, Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), in accordance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Complete and maintain accurate documentation for “Desired Results,” compliance with the NAEYC standards, and anecdotal records on children. Provide required information to the Area Coordinator when meeting established deadlines.
• Review assessments and documentation of children’s learning to revisit, reflect, and extend emergent curriculum, investigations, and small group explorations.
• Update and extend documentation to reflect children’s work, processes, questions, and dialogues between teacher to child, child-to-child, with encounters, investigations and projects.

Communication (20%)

• Establish effective partnerships with parents and reciprocal processes of communication on a regular basis. Maintain open verbal and written communication with parents regarding child development, behavior issues, parent education, and other child related issues.
• Provide parents with ongoing informal and twice a year a formal overview of the child’s learning experience and progress within the classroom community.
• Regularly communicate parent, child, and/or staff issues with supervisor (i.e., concerned parents, a child’s behavior problems, or an employee’s performance issues).
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers (e.g. assistants, as child(ren) transition to different classrooms).

Department Overview

The Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) is housed in the Institute of Child Development in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota and is responsible for the development and implementation of a high quality preschool program that promotes best practices in Early Childhood Education.

The Institute of Child Development (ICD) at the University of Minnesota has long been a premier center for scholarship, teaching, and outreach devoted to the understanding and fostering of child development. Founded in 1925, the Institute is one of the oldest departments studying children’s development in the United States. From its inception, a key tenet of the department has been to “give away” child psychology. This philosophy has created an environment rich with collaborations, new ideas, and exciting interdisciplinary work. The ICD is housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and has an undergraduate program within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

College Overview
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That’s why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.