If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Description

The Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill is looking for a Studio Visual Arts Supervising Teacher. Come join a team of passionate educators that are dedicated to supporting the growth and development of young children through use of the world renowned Reggio Emilia approach, centered around the philosophy that each child’s learning experience is unique and emphasizing the importance of the arts, curiosity, and inquiry-based exploration. Each child who comes through the CECE joins a community of children, families and teachers engaged in the joy, work and wonder of childhood.

Ideal candidates will have a background in both music education and early childhood education, as our Visual Arts Studio Supervising Teacher supervises the visual arts studio in the morning and steps into a classroom teaching role in the afternoon. Our Visual Arts Studio Supervising Teacher is a pedagogical and creative leader in our program, modeling Reggio-inspired curriculum development and documentation. By joining this team of dynamic educators, you will have the opportunity to share in the mission of providing exemplary early education and care for young children; to offer a laboratory for research and fieldwork for college students and faculty; and, to support the child care needs of families.

The Center’s warm and welcoming facility, completed in August 2005, is located on Lyman Road, about a half-mile from the center of Northampton, Massachusetts.

Job Summary

Plan, develop and evaluate a comprehensive early childhood program in the visual arts studio, coordinate the studio space, and develop and implement a studio curriculum that is integrated with the preschool classrooms. Supervise the afternoon program. Assume a leadership role in communicating and implementing the philosophy, vision, and core values of the school; supervise and organize school wide initiatives related to curriculum and environments, family events, community outreach, and partnerships with departments on campus. Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues at the College and in the community, CECE team members, families, and children. Develop and maintain the visual arts studio environment, assess children’s development, and create curriculum within the context of the Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy of the program. Build partnerships with families and colleagues to develop a model early childhood program based on best practice and current knowledge. Understand and implement CECE policies and principles; pursue ongoing professional development; and, support the work of students and faculty at the Center.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Supervising and Teaching Children (75%):

• Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the visual arts studio and the afternoon program that aligns with the Reggio Emilia- and RIE-inspired philosophy of the program, is based on current research and knowledge of child development and early education and care, and adheres to Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations. Responsible for supervising children, knowing individual children’s needs, ensuring the health and safety of children, and promoting the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of children.
• Maintain a positive, respectful environment for children and adults and support children’s investigations and explorations in a team-based environment. Maintain ongoing written observations and assessments of children and their development.
• Supervise, train, and support teachers, summer assistants, and student workers; facilitate student and faculty research projects and course-related experiences; may assume duties of director or assistant director in case of absence.

Recordkeeping, Collaboration, and Communication (20%):

• Provide leadership at all meetings to support a high quality education and care program for children infancy through preschool and develop collaborative relationships with families and colleagues in the CECE.
• Manage team meetings of afternoon teachers (i.e., assume role of chairperson, develop agenda, publish minutes, and ensure follow-up with the classroom teachers and studio teachers) that focus on individual children’s needs and development, curriculum planning and evaluation, family involvement, collaboration across levels and classrooms, resources, policies and procedures, etc. Interact with families on an informal and formal basis concerning their child’s development and daily school experience.
• Maintain written records of curriculum and children’s development; document children’s learning and experiences; publish regular written reports and portfolios on children’s development; publish weekly electronic communication in the form of documentation and blogs; manage the studio budget; and, participate and plan classroom and school-wide events and join school-wide committees, some of which may involve weekends and evenings; collaborate with supervising teachers to coordinate classroom and studio experiences; develop collaborative relationships with families and colleagues in the CECE and community; meet with visitors and prospective families to discuss the studio program; and, collaborate with assistant director and level coordinators to coordinate all-school and studio events and projects (e.g., WOYC, Welcome Picnic, PTO participation, big common monitor display, websites, bulletin board displays, documentation of schoolwide unifying idea, etc.).
• Maintenance of Classroom Environment and Common Building Spaces (5%):
• All staff members share responsibility for preparing and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, organization and aesthetics in the environment. This may include cleaning surfaces, inventory and stocking materials, preparing food, laundering, preparing napping or playground areas, creating displays, organizing materials, setting up activities or areas, etc. Primary responsibility for maintaining the visual arts studio classroom environment; collaborate with other teachers to maintain afternoon classroom environments. Create and maintain a classroom environment that reflects the philosophy of the school and provides members of the community with an engaging, supportive, and safe space.
• Back up other staff needs as necessary. Perform related duties as required.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses):

• Background Record check, including fingerprinting; bachelor’s degree; two years teaching experience preferred, or equivalent combination.
• Coursework and/or experience in early childhood program or related field and in visual arts studio discipline; experience with the Reggio Emilia approach and arts education with young children.
• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification or eligibility required; DEEC lead teacher certification preferred, or take required coursework to obtain lead teacher certification within two years of employment; obtain appropriate first aid and CPR within first two months of employment.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Massachusetts Preschool Teacher License preferred; not required.

Skills:

• Commitment to supporting an environment of trusting relationships, enjoyment and learning for children and staff in a laboratory early childhood education and care program; operate with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality; collaborate with team members to assess complex and sensitive child, family, staff and programmatic issues, identify and implement solutions.
• Commitment to upholding the Reggio Emilia-inspired vision and principles for the school, and serve as a leader with colleagues, classrooms, and families in communicating about and implementing a Reggio-inspired curriculum. Experience with and demonstrated knowledge of early childhood education principles and practice.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting family and staff diversity.
• Nurturing, patient, appreciative of children’s capacities, flexible and adaptive to changing situations, value observation, risk-taking and reflection; clerical and organizational skills, appreciative of the importance of environment in children’s programs, responsive to and appreciative of individual temperaments, knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Interact in collegial and professional manner with families, children, and staff. Maintain high levels of communication, literacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with electronic communication, e.g., Power Point, Word, Word Press, Gmail, Google Docs, etc.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 10lbs., frequently lift and carry up to 25 lbs., and occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs., communicate with children at eye-level, climb stairs, push a stroller with up to 6 toddlers and supervise children on walking trips.
• Ability to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of time in varied weather conditions.

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About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.