Early Childhood Float Teacher

The Childrens Home Society of Missouri•Saint Louis, MO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Therapeutic Preschool at FamilyForward provides a highly structured environment utilizing trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive interventions for children ages three to six years experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties resulting from histories of developmental trauma. The Therapeutic Preschool Float Teacher is a full-time member of the educational team who provides consistent support across multiple classrooms. This position partners with teachers, educational therapists, and clinicians to ensure continuity of care, maintain therapeutic programming, and provide classroom coverage as needed. The Float Teacher builds positive relationships with children throughout the program and quickly adapts to the unique routines, needs, and therapeutic goals of each classroom. This role is highly collaborative, partnering with other teachers and supported by a team of therapists to create a custom therapeutic plan for each child. An ideal candidate will be ready to nurture, play, build relationships, teach, and co-regulate with the children in the program. This role is ideal for an educator who enjoys variety, flexibility, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Classroom sizes are small to enable staff to provide the individualized support needed to help children thrive. FamilyForward is committed to upholding the Organizational Health Anchors that we have set for the agency, including: safety; mindfulness and self-regulation; relational health; cultural diversity, inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism; clinical lens; vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development required.
At least three years' experience.
Experience in serving high needs populations; preferably working with children with challenging behaviors.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Commitment to trauma-informed interventions with children.
Strong self-care and stress management skills.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including sitting on the floor, transitioning to and from the floor, assisting children, and lifting up to 45 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, highly collaborative, and mutually respectful environment.
Personal characteristics and temperament suitable for working with children with challenging behaviors and unique needs.
Ability to adapt to changing assignments and priorities throughout the day.
Ability to quickly establish rapport with children in multiple classrooms.
Ability to successfully complete required criminal background screenings, Department of Education and Department of Social Services required background checking, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and pre-employment drug testing in accordance with agency policy.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in related field (social work, counseling) and credit hours in early childhood education considered.
Experience in early childhood education preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide classroom coverage across all therapeutic preschool classrooms based on daily staffing and program needs.
Quickly adapt to different classroom routines, schedules, lesson plans, and therapeutic interventions while maintaining continuity of care.
Build relationships with young children and classroom teams to develop rapport and trust.
Create an environment that supports play, felt safety, and co-regulation.
Actively engage students throughout the school day in developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed therapeutic activities.
Utilize individualized therapeutic interventions to support children through challenging behaviors and big emotions.
Implement all classroom practices including lesson plans, room arrangement, daily schedules, routines, and transitions.
Prepare and maintain the classroom environment for daily activities, ensuring cleanliness and safety.
Support the Educational Therapist and Occupational Therapist during group therapy.
Communicate directly and effectively with clients, staff, supervisors, teammates, and other professionals, demonstrating an embracement and responsiveness to cultural, familial, socioeconomic, and other diverse experiences.
Support implementation of established classroom lesson plans, room arrangement, routines, practices, and programming.
Assist with curriculum development and planning when providing extended classroom coverage.
Practice regular self-reflective practice and maintain continual curiosity to continue evolving skills and meeting the unique needs of children.
Help track each child’s progress and regularly communicate updates to caregivers and each child’s treatment team.
Ensure the safety of students at all times, including utilizing the safe room and/or appropriate restraints when necessary.
Actively participate in classroom meetings, all-staff meetings, staff development activities, and regular case staffing.
Participate in caregiver-teacher conferences twice yearly.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
Participate in the planned discharge process for all children, including the IEP process if applicable.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
Optional short-term disability
Virtual medical and mental health care coverage
Employee Assistance Program counseling services
Pre-tax medical Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Reimbursement Account for deductible expenses over $1000 individual; $2000 for families
3% dollar for dollar company-matched 403(b) retirement savings account
Company-paid long-term disability and life insurance
10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays for religious/cultural celebrations
Wellness Week paid time off December 25th – 31st annually
Paid vacation time and health and wellness leave
Education assistance program
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Eligible Site