Teaching Fellow, Pre-Kindergarten (Harlem Gems)

As a Teaching Fellow at Harlem Gems, your primary responsibilities include designing and implementing engaging lesson plans that align with educational standards, assessing student progress through various methods, and maintaining high academic and behavioral standards. You will also collaborate closely with colleagues and teaching assistants to cater to individual student needs, all while fostering strong relationships with families to create a supportive learning environment.

To qualify for the Teaching Fellow position at Harlem Gems, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree and be actively pursuing a Master’s degree along with New York State teaching certification. A passion for early childhood education, respect for the cultural diversity of Harlem residents, and motivation to enhance the learning experience of children are also essential.

Harlem Gems is committed to the professional growth of its Teaching Fellows. You will benefit from tailored professional development opportunities provided by academic coaches, as well as biweekly training sessions that focus on enhancing your teaching skills and pedagogical approaches. This support is aimed at ensuring your continued success and the achievement of our young scholars.

The Teaching Fellow position at Harlem Gems typically follows a Monday to Friday schedule, with working hours either from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This structure allows for a supportive work-life balance, while also ensuring you have the time needed for lesson planning and professional development.

Harlem Gems offers an attractive benefits package for its Teaching Fellows, including generous paid time off, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and opportunities for student loan forgiveness of up to $30,000. Additionally, you’ll receive a personal laptop, access to cutting-edge technology like Smartboards, and an engaging work environment dedicated to educator support.

When lesson planning as a Teaching Fellow at Harlem Gems, I would focus on creating standards-aligned, engaging, and varied lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles. I would incorporate hands-on activities and real-world applications to make learning relevant and stimulating for young children.

Assessing student progress in a Pre-K classroom involves using a variety of methods such as observations, projects, and informal assessments. I would continuously monitor each child’s development and adapt my instruction to meet individual needs, ensuring all students are making consistent progress.

I believe that family involvement is crucial to a child’s success. I would encourage parents and caregivers to actively participate in classroom activities by organizing events, sharing student achievements, and providing regular communication about their child’s progress and how they can support learning at home.

In a previous role, I implemented a group activity centered around storytelling where students worked together to create their own storybook. This not only encouraged collaboration and communication but also fostered creativity and a love for literature among the children.

Maintaining high behavioral standards involves setting clear expectations from the start, using positive reinforcement, and establishing a nurturing environment where children feel safe and respected. I would implement consistent routines and actively promote a culture of respect and kindness.

Integrating health education into my teaching is essential for holistic child development. I would use engaging activities to teach about nutrition and healthy habits, such as categorizing foods into ‘go’, ‘slow’, and ‘whoa’ categories, to help children make informed choices about their eating habits.

My philosophy on early literacy education is that it should be immersive and joyful. Children learn best in environments that are rich in language and literacy opportunities, incorporating storytelling, interactive reading sessions, and exposure to multiple languages to ignite their passion for learning.

Fostering a culture of academic excellence at Harlem Gems starts with setting high expectations and creating an engaging learning environment. I plan to regularly communicate the importance of education to students and families, while creating engaging curricula that inspires enthusiasm for learning.

When handling conflicts between students, I would first facilitate a calm discussion where each child can express their feelings. I would guide them towards understanding each other’s perspectives and work collaboratively on a resolution. Teaching conflict resolution and effective communication skills is crucial to their social development.

Collaborative relationships are fundamental to my teaching approach. I believe that by working collaboratively with colleagues, families, and the community, we create a more enriching learning environment for our students. It fosters support and enhances the overall educational experience for everyone involved.