Preschool Teacher with full-time experience - Infant Room / One-Year-Olds

To become a Preschool Teacher at Christ United Methodist Preschool, you must fulfill certain educational requirements, including a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. In addition, you need to be bilingual in English and Spanish, adhere to current Department of Children and Families training requirements, and complete at least 24 CEU credits annually. Significant experience in an infant classroom is also essential, with a minimum of three years required.

Conscious Discipline is a core aspect of a Preschool Teacher's responsibilities at Christ United Methodist Preschool, helping educators create an emotional safety net for the children. It provides tools for managing classroom behavior while promoting emotional intelligence, which is critical for social and emotional development. Teachers need to incorporate its principles into daily activities, ensuring a nurturing learning environment that supports every child’s needs.

The Brightwheel tool is essential for effective communication between Preschool Teachers and parents at Christ United Methodist Preschool. It enables teachers to share daily updates, track children's milestones, and provide real-time feedback on activities. This ensures caregivers stay informed about their child's progress and encourages a collaborative approach to early childhood development.

At Christ United Methodist Preschool, a Preschool Teacher in the Infant Room will plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum. This curriculum is designed to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive growth through engaging activities tailored to the needs of one-year-olds. It emphasizes interactive, hands-on learning experiences that foster exploration and discovery.

The classroom environment for a Preschool Teacher at Christ United Methodist Preschool is designed to be clean, safe, and stimulating for infants. Strong emphasis is placed on maintaining health and safety standards, while also creating visually engaging spaces through thoughtful design. The goal is to cultivate a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages learning and exploration.

When managing a classroom for infants, it's essential to establish routines and create a safe environment. Implementing strategies from Conscious Discipline can be very helpful. It’s also important to be attentive, responsive, and flexible to the children’s needs, while using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors.

To effectively engage one-year-olds, I use interactive, hands-on learning activities that incorporate sensory experiences. Using music, movement, and simple storytelling can capture their interest. I also design visually appealing materials that stimulate their curiosity, helping them explore through play.

I have used Brightwheel to streamline parent communication and share daily updates on children’s activities and progress. The tool enhances collaboration, allowing parents to stay informed and engaged in their child’s learning journey. I appreciate how it helps maintain a structured communication flow while fostering relationships with families.

Assessments are crucial in understanding each child's unique developmental progress. I conduct regular assessments to track milestones while ensuring that lessons are individualized to meet each child's learning needs. This data-driven approach helps me adapt my curriculum effectively.

I integrate Conscious Discipline by focusing on building relationships, emotional awareness, and conflict resolution skills within the classroom. By modeling and teaching emotional regulation, I aim to create a safe space where infants can learn to express themselves and develop positive social interactions.

Maintaining health and safety is paramount in an infant classroom. I ensure that all classroom materials are age-appropriate and sanitized regularly. Additionally, I follow stringent guidelines for diapering, feeding, and supervising infants to prevent any mishaps, thereby creating a secure environment.

I recognize that each infant has different developmental levels and learning styles. I adapt lesson plans by offering a variety of activities that cater to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, ensuring that each child can engage with the material at their own pace.

Collaboration with fellow educators is crucial for my professional growth. By sharing resources and strategies, discussing challenges, and participating in team planning sessions, I gain new insights and practices that enhance my teaching skills and ultimately benefit the children's learning experience.

I prioritize open communication with parents through regular updates using Brightwheel and face-to-face meetings. I share observations regarding their child's development and encourage feedback. This approach helps parents feel involved and provides a holistic view of their child's educational journey.

Effective classroom design for toddlers involves creating a space that is safe, welcoming, and stimulating. I ensure that materials are accessible, use bright colors, and integrate areas for different types of play, such as quiet zones and active play areas. Thoughtful arrangement promotes exploration and engagement.