Early Childhood Educator at Winamac Early Learning Academy

Description

Winamac Early Learning Academy is a non-profit and play based preschool for ages 3-5. This internship will introduce interested students to the fundamentals of early childhood education, including child development, curriculum planning, and classroom management. Through hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities, students will gain valuable insights into the field and develop the skills necessary for success. Through this internship, we will provide students with a comprehensive and immersive experience that will not only prepare them for future careers but also instill a passion for lifelong learning and service to others. Interns will be mentored by a current lead teacher.

Learning Targets:

Understanding Child Development: Gain knowledge about the stages of child development, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional milestones for preschool-aged children.
Observational Skills: Develop the ability to observe children's behaviors, interests, and interactions in order to better understand their individual needs and learning styles.
Classroom Management Techniques: Learn effective strategies for managing a preschool classroom, including setting routines, redirecting behavior, and fostering a positive learning environment.
Curriculum Planning: Assist in developing and implementing age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that promote learning and development in areas such as language and literacy, math, science, art, and social skills.
Child-Centered Approach: Understand the importance of child-centered learning and how to adapt teaching strategies to meet the unique needs and interests of each child.
Communication Skills: Develop strong communication skills for effectively interacting with children, parents, and colleagues, including active listening, clear verbal communication, and positive reinforcement.
Safety and Health Practices: Learn and adhere to safety and health protocols to ensure the well-being of children in the preschool environment, including emergency procedures, hygiene practices, and nutrition guidelines.
Inclusive Practices: Gain awareness and understanding of inclusive practices to support children with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.
Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct in all interactions and responsibilities within the preschool setting, including maintaining confidentiality and respecting the rights of children and families.
Reflective Practice: Engage in reflective practice by regularly evaluating one's own teaching practices, seeking feedback from colleagues and supervisors, and identifying areas for growth and improvement.

These learning targets provide a comprehensive framework for an intern to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in a preschool setting.

Responsibilities

Assisting with Lesson Planning: The intern may assist the lead teacher in brainstorming, creating, and implementing age-appropriate lesson plans and activities across various domains such as literacy, numeracy, science, and arts and crafts.
Classroom Setup and Organization: The intern can help set up and organize the classroom environment, including arranging furniture, creating learning centers, and ensuring materials and resources are accessible to children.
Direct Interaction with Children: The intern will have opportunities to engage directly with children through structured activities, free play, and guided learning experiences, fostering positive relationships and providing individualized support as needed.
Observation and Assessment: The intern may observe children during various activities to assess their development, interests, and learning styles, documenting observations and providing feedback to the lead teacher for further planning.
Assistance with Daily Routines: This includes helping children with transitions between activities, guiding them through meal times and toileting routines, and promoting positive behavior management techniques.
Parent Communication and Involvement: The intern may assist in communicating with parents through daily updates, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences, as well as involving parents in classroom activities and volunteering opportunities.
Special Projects and Events: The intern could participate in organizing special events and projects such as holiday celebrations, field trips, and community outreach activities, contributing ideas and assistance as needed.
Professional Development: The intern may engage in professional development opportunities such as workshops, trainings, and seminars related to early childhood education, and reflect on how to apply new knowledge and skills in the classroom.
Documentation and Portfolio Development: This involves maintaining documentation of children's progress and learning experiences, as well as compiling a portfolio of their own work and reflections throughout the internship.
Collaboration with Colleagues: The intern will have opportunities to collaborate with other teachers and staff members, participating in team meetings, sharing ideas and resources, and supporting each other in meeting the needs of all children in the program.

These tasks and projects provide a diverse range of experiences that allow the intern to contribute to the preschool environment while also learning and growing as an early childhood educator.

Qualifications

Passion for Working with Young Children: A genuine love for working with young children and a desire to make a positive impact on their development and learning is essential for success in this role.

Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, are important for interacting with children, parents, and colleagues in a preschool setting.

Patience and Flexibility: Working with young children requires patience, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm and composed in challenging situations.

Creativity and Resourcefulness: The ability to come up with creative and engaging activities that promote learning and development, as well as the resourcefulness to adapt activities based on children's interests and needs, are valuable qualities for a preschool teacher intern.

Commitment to Professionalism: A professional attitude, including reliability, punctuality, and respect for confidentiality, is crucial when working in a preschool environment.

Willingness to Learn and Grow: An intern should be open to receiving feedback, learning new teaching strategies, and continually improving their skills and knowledge as they gain hands-on experience in the field.

Fingerprint Background Check & CPR/First Aid Certification: Ability to pass a background check and obtain CPR/First Aid certificaitons.