Job Type Part-timeDescriptionABOUT THINKERY Thinkery is where Austin's children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children- alongside their caregivers-to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects.Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers.ABOUT THE ROLE The Little Thinker's Preschool Sub assists with implementing Thinkery's Preschool program, a childcare facility owned and operated by Thinkery. The program offers Thinkery developed curriculum to children (ages 3 and 4) from September through May and summer programming from June through August.The ideal candidate will be a passionate, committed and adaptable teammate who is comfortable working in an educational and/or caregiving capacity with children ages 3 - 5 years old. This role provides support to the preschool team by implementing a meaningful STEAM based learning experience, following lesson plans provided by the class teachers to create a cohesive learning experience for students, manage the classroom effectively to encourage student participation, and maintain a positive, organized learning environment. The LTP substitute may be assisting with drop off, pick up, sanitation processes and restroom breaks. The position is a part-time hourly position working a maximum of 21 hours per week and reports to the Preschool Assistant Site Director, collaborating with other preschool staff working to create a safe, clean, and engaging experience for families, and students.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Work in collaboration with another educator to 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 all Thinkery staff.
- Work in collaboration with another educator to 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).
- Assist with routines related to the care of the Preschool students and co-facilitate STEAM based activities and lessons using the provided lesson plan made available by the Lead Teacher's learning framework content.
- Work in collaboration with another educator to prepare activities and materials for the day.
- Help to support students needing extra guidance in collaboration with the other educator in the classroom.
- Become familiar with classroom expectations and help to guide and support student behavior based on those class expectations.
- Help to ensure staff and students' health and safety are always maintained by providing supervision during all activities.
- Work in collaboration with another educator to clean and sanitize preschool classroom and learning resources.
- Work with the Site Director during drop off if opening a classroom or the Assistant Site Director during pick up if closing a classroom.
- Report, document and provide immediate and effective communication to classroom team and Assistant 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.
- Other duties specific to assigned classroom
COMPETENCIES Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutionsEnsures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitmentsCollaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectivesValues Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organizationNimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodderInstills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticityRequirementsKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
- Creative problem solving, while calm and positive during challenging situations.
- Behavior management skills with an early childhood approach.
- Commitment and passion for the Museum's approach to learning and inspiring others
- Flexible and patient.
- Collaborative and proactive team member.
- Productive in a varied and busy work environment
- Experience and desire to work with diverse populations.
- CPR/First Aid certification required.
- A minimum of 24 clock hours of Early Childhood Pre-service training within the last 12 months is strongly preferred (minimum of 8 hours required upon hire, with remaining 16 hours to be completed within first 90-days), or 2 years of recent classroom experience.
- Spanish fluency a plus.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- The position's schedule is flexible and highly variable during Monday through Friday. Day, time and hours to be communicated on as a needed basis. Advanced notice will be given when possible, and there will also be day-of-requests to cover staff call-outs.
- Ability to meet all state mandated health and background screening including fingerprinting.
- Represent Thinkery's key values of inclusion, excellence, respect, innovation, playfulness, cooperation, and creativity.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION :
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least one year of experience in a licensed childcare center.
- Complies with all state education and licensing standards and maintains validation of credentials for the position (i.e. professional development).
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 the needs of students, staff, volunteers and community partners.
- 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.
This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities and quali?cations 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.The 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 o?ered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference cSalary Description $23 an hour