Bilingual PreK Teacher Assistant - U Prep Schools

          UNIVERSITY PREP

          Position: Founding PreK Teacher Assistant

           Our Mission: Building a foundation of skills, knowledge and character, University Prep educates every scholar for a four-year college

              degree and life of opportunity.

           The Unique Opportunity:

             Unversity Prep is opening its 3^rd campus in the Fall of 2024, launching with PreK 4-year-old programming and then growing

             one grade level per year until becoming a full, PreK – 5^th grade school. After a year of co-design efforts with parent leaders

             from within the community, we are thrilled to open our new school for families in core Commerce City. As a key part of our opening,

             we are searching for the most dedicated and effective early childhood educators from across the country to be “Founders.”

             As a Founder, you will be working with a small and mighty team to bring our new school to life, and for the first time, introduce

             pre-kindergarten to University Prep’s network. 

           Why you’ll love Us: We have been a part of the University Prep family from the beginning. Over the past school years,

              I've been so proud to see my child grow, learn, and get the support that I feel every child should receive.” – U Prep Parent

              In 2011, University Prep opened the doors to its first elementary campus. Fast froward 12 years later and our founding scholars 

              are now enrolled in their first year of post-secondary programming. With 81% of U Prep alumni on track for post-secondary degree

              and credential attainment, U Prep is living its mission. Our scholars represent a 2.5X improvement when compared with their peer

              group statewide. They are beating the odds and pursuing their dreams and ambitions as they enter young adulthood and make

              choices about their futures. We couldn’t be prouder of our now college-going alumni, but more importantly, they couldn’t be

              prouder of themselves. Watch this video to hear from them directly and learn more about who we are as an organization

              and why we exist. 

              While you may love us because of the depth of our commitment to our mission and the integrity we carry each day to bring it to life,

              we believe your initial love will come from the investment we make in our people. Everything starts with our care and commitment

              to the adults who lead our work. They are the game changes who make everything possible.

           Why we’ll love you:

             You love children. You are deeply committed to working with young people and are unwavering in your optimism about

              what they can achieve.

             You're mission and values-driven. You believe education can be a true equalizer and are devoted to all children, from all backgrounds,

             receiving an exemplary education. You’re fully aligned with the core values that drive our organization.

             You love working with people. While you adore little people, you love big people too. You proactively build meaningful and healthy

             relationships with your colleagues, and carry a ‘team beats individual’ attitude, recognizing that united teams produce amazing results.

             You want to be great. You’re invested in mastering your craft and take full ownership over your growth and development.

             You get a little better every day because you are committed to truly becoming great at what you do

            You’re entrepreneurial and never give up: You enjoy being part of something fresh, embracing the unknown variables that

             come with launching a new endeavor. You meet challenges head onand always find awayto getto thefinish line.

          What you’ll do (primary responsibilities):

             The day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

·         Embodying the mission and vision of University Prep along with the organization’s core values.

·         Supporting the lead classroom teacher in establishing and maintaining consistent routines and procedures that ensure a

         healthy, positive, warm and predictable learning environment for all children. 

·         Preparing for and implementing small group and 1:1 targeted supports aligned with core curriculum, ensuring instruction

        meets the needs of the range of learners in the classroom. 

o   Includes organizing all instructional materials, visuals and manipulatives needed for learning support.

·         Working alongside of lead teachers to regularly assess scholar development against end-of-year goals in core academic

         skills alongside of social-emotional milestones.

·         Spending significant time engaging with children in 1:1 and small group settings, asking questions, listening attentively,

        following up, and encouraging further exploration (especially during choice windows).

o   Intentionally pushing for high levels of verbal language and using robust vocabulary during thoughtful,

     play-based learning opportunities throughout the day.

·         Cultivating positive and meaningful relationships with families, helping ensure they are well informed of both the assets

        and challenges their children may possess, the key learning that’s taking place in the classroom, and the ways they can be

        involved in the healthy development of their child’s academic, social and emotional skills & knowledge. 

·         Building healthy and supportive relationships with all children being served by the program, demonstrating deep

        commitment and care that translates to young people demonstrating trust and enthusiasm in our classrooms. 

·         Ensuring all learning environments are kept in an organized and clean fashion, demonstrating intentionality and care for

         the physical space in which our children explore and learn.

·         Working collaboratively and respectfully with the Director of the ECE Center, the School Principal, Lead Teachers and

         colleagues to ensure a healthy, connected and caring team experience and adult culture.

·         Attending all required staff meetings, trainings, coaching sessions and/or school functions.

·         Assisting and monitoring with food distribution and clean up associated with lunch and snack windows.

·         Monitoring outdoor play and supporting the well-being of all children when engaging in physical activity both on the

         playscape and within the building.

·         Providing classroom coverage and substitute support.

·         Helping students with toileting needs and potty training in cases where that is needed.

·         Maintaining all necessary credentials as required by state law and the CO Department of Early Childhood Education.

·         Keeping up with all necessary administrative tasks including required documenting & reporting .

          Compensation & Benefits:

             Our package for Teaching Assistants, which is a full-time role, includes, but is not limited to the following Starting salary

              ranging from $ 22 to $ 26 per hour

o    Initial, starting salary dependent on education and credential attainment, years of experience, types of experiences, and demonstrated ability to drive outcomes for children.

·         Payment of 100% of the employee’s personal medical benefit and options to elect dental, vision, critical illness and accident benefits.

·         Up to $600 contributed annually to a personal wellness account

·         7 days of PTO with the opportunity to increase by 1 day per year (up to 10 days total PTO) and access to annual PTO payout at a rate of $ 300/day for any unused days

·         Extensive access to professional development, coaching and support

·         Potential opportunities for signing bonuses and moving stipends

·         Bilingual stipend available in recognition of the additional asset ($ 1,000)

           Position Requirements (and Preferences) : 

·         Full commitment to, belief in, and alignment with mission and vision of U Prep’s schools.

·         Full commitment to organization’s core values, core identity, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (DEIA) definitions.

·         Provide evidence of completing high school or a GED at minimum.

·         Must be at least 18 years of age.

·         Pass a TRAILS background check aligned with the CO Department of Early Childhood expectations.

·         1+ years Early Childhood Education experience preferred.

·         CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain.

·         Ability to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear well enough to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity (indoors and outdoors).

·         Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations.

·         Openness to feedback, desire to continue development as professional, and willingness to take responsibility for outcomes and achievement.

·         Demonstrate eligibility to work within the United States.

·         Ability to work full-time, in person, in the childcare facility. *This is not a remote/telecommuting role.

·         Bilingual strongly preferred (English/Spanish).

              As an equal opportunity employer, University Prep hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender,

              sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.