Summary

Mentor teachers provide high quality, mission-aligned early childhood education for children in their assigned classroom, and anchor the classroom teaching team in best practices and inquiry. Mentor teachers are responsible for preparing and maintaining the learning environment according to Apple Playschools’ philosophy, to modeling, coaching, and supporting the professional development of Apprentice and Flex Teachers in their classrooms, and for ensuring timely and appropriate communication between school and students’ families. Mentor teachers hold the main responsibility for collaborative curriculum planning, providing students with individualized support, and coordinating teaching staff to deliver high-quality learning experiences and complete daily classroom and community care tasks. Mentor teachers must work at least 35 hours a week, and at least 6 hours a day in the classroom.

Pay & Benefits information can be found by clicking here.

Management

Reports to: The Mentor Teacher reports to the Program Director.

Supervises: The Mentor Teacher mentors and coaches Apprentice and Flex teachers in their assigned classroom, but is not responsible for performance-related coaching or hire/fire decision making.

Description of Responsibilities:

Is deeply aligned with and embodies the mission and vision of the organization

• Supports all children in their classroom including those in need of specialized attention/care plans/IEPs, etc.

• Keeps families informed by maintaining records of child development; reporting on all elements of child development at family conferences, both regularly scheduled and as-needed

• Maintain safe, secure, and healthy educational environment by complying with all licensing regulations. Conduct work in accordance with all Apple Playschools policies, procedures, and best practices as well as ensure that co-teaching staff does the same

• Reports Abuse or Neglect as a mandated reporter

Consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of practice and pedagogy

• Follows the Apple Playschools Best Practices in addition to program specific curriculum

• Oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the learning environment and child assessment

• Prepares learning environment daily with developmentally appropriate equipment and activities

• Designs learning environment and lesson plans according to curriculum guidelines

Guides others in skill acquisition through feedback and modeling

• Effectively delegates to and communicates collaboratively with Apprentice and Flex Teachers to provide high-quality care for the children

• Intentionally coaches, models, and supports the professional development of Apprentice and Flex Teachers

Is an active member of the school leadership team

• Has a sense of ownership of the program, and actively works to improve our community

• Facilitates workshop at at least one in-service

• Attends and participates in monthly staff meeting

• Attends trainings and shares information with other staff about information obtained

  • Required events:

    • Fall & Winter In-service

    • Monthly staff meetings

    • Two site events

    • One signature event

    • One external event

    Professional Development

• Updates job knowledge by attending meetings; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; and participating in professional organizations.

• Complete at least 30 hours of professional development per school year

Essential Requirements & Qualifications

• Be age 19 or older

• Be able to pass all required background checks and criminal history review

• Meet LARA licensing education requirements appropriate to assigned role

• Be committed to effective conflict resolution and collaborative communication with staff, families, children, and community partners

• Has sound judgment and ability to assess risk appropriately, including the capacity to act quickly and appropriately in case of an emergency

• Be “on your feet” for most of the day, able to comfortably bend, move around with young children, ascend or descend a flight of stairs, walk on uneven terrain, work outside in all weather conditions, quickly respond and move from one point to another in the learning environment, be exposed to environmental allergens (dust, animals, etc), and hold, carry, or lift up to 25 pounds