POSITION SUMMARY

The Discovery School is a Reggio-inspired preschool housed at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM). Our program is the only museum-based preschool in California, and we draw upon the BADM’s 25 years of child-directed, open-ended, inquiry-driven learning, as well as best practices in creativity development from BADM’s research division, the Center for Childhood Creativity. We are fortunate to offer a low student to teacher ratio and an incredibly engaged parent community. BADM also provides an unmatched location, on 7.5 acres of National Park land at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge and with immediate access to the beach, coastal habitats, historic batteries and hiking trails.

We are currently seeking experienced educators to serve as Preschool Teachers. Ideal candidates will have deep commitment to and passion for research-backed teaching practice, expertise in child development, love and respect for young children and their enormous capabilities, and interest in serving in an entrepreneurial and evolving school community.

Preschool Teachers will provide daily care and supervision of children enrolled in the Discovery School program, work directly with families, and collaborate with the school leadership. The teaching calendar runs from mid-August to early June, with school starting after Labor Day and ending around Memorial Day. Separate employment opportunities exist assisting BADM camp programming when Discovery School is not in session (during Winter, February, Spring, and Summer breaks).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with children in the classroom daily, including in planning and preparing activities, curriculum development aligned to clear outcomes, documentation of emergent learning, transitions and circle time.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in the program at all times.
• In collaboration with other teachers, refine school programs and curriculum in line with Department of Education goals and outcomes.
• Work with the Center for Childhood Creativity (CCC) to serve as the ECE lab school for the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Provide assistance to the research teams that work with The Discovery School students; use the CCC research to inform planning and preparation of the curriculum.
• Actively build relationships with individual parents to support their child’s development and learning and to meaningfully engage all families in the school and museum communities.
• Write weekly reflections of school experiences to serve as email communication with families. This involves utilizing a composition program such as Pages or Publisher.
• Work collaboratively to collect, display and disseminate documentation of children’s work. This includes regularly taking careful observational notes and intentional photos; conference with families verbally and in written form on the development of their child, which includes goal setting for children’s individual development.
• Compile and present a slide slow showcasing classroom highlights and endeavors.
• Ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of classroom and supplies daily.
• Prepare and organize supplies, including snack.
• Assist and support other BADM programming as needed, including during fundraisers, festivals, Goblin Jamboree, and other programs as needed.
• Lead communication and work collaboratively with all other museum departments as needed.