Preschool Creative Movement Instructor

Merritt Academy•Fairfax, VA

About The Position

Merritt Academy is seeking a Preschool Creative Movement Instructor who is enthusiastic, caring, and passionate about teaching and working with children. The instructor creates developmentally appropriate creative movement curricula in a loving and safe environment and prepares and teaches classes for toddlers through 3-year-old students. The role is responsible for managing the classroom and performing professional tasks in a manner that exemplifies the school’s standards of courtesy and values. Candidates should be flexible about assigned tasks and working with various age groups, and demonstrate professionalism, initiative, a strong work ethic, pride in their work, and a commitment to partnering with parents in education. The schedule is part-time, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM, four days a week. Additional hours may be available as an Assistant Teacher in a classroom. Merritt Academy serves children from infancy through 8th grade and describes its learning environment as one that fosters curiosity and enthusiasm through imaginative play, creative projects, and academic activities.

Requirements

A love for children and a strong desire to make a difference every day.
High school diploma.
Experience teaching or working with preschool-age children; classroom, dance, music, recreation, or movement program experience is preferred.
Training or demonstrated skills in creative movement, dance, physical education, or a related field.
Understanding of early childhood development and age-appropriate expectations for attention, coordination, and participation.
Ability to plan engaging lessons using music, rhythm, storytelling, imaginative play, and movement to develop balance, coordination, body awareness, and creativity.
Positive classroom management skills, including the ability to give simple directions, guide transitions, and encourage participation without pressure.
Ability to lift and carry at least 45 pounds, engage in physical activity with children, and work indoors or outdoors.
Ability to move constantly and interact with children to provide stimulation and develop relationships.
Ability to alternate often between sitting and standing.
Ability to maintain sight and sound of the children at all times.
CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain it.
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
Pass required pre-employment screenings and trainings.
Flexibility and willingness to take assigned tasks and work with various age groups.
Professionalism, pride in work, initiative, a strong work ethic, and support for parents as partners in education.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s coursework or degree in early childhood education, dance, physical education, music, or a related field.
Experience teaching or working with preschool-age children in a classroom, dance, music, recreation, or movement program.

Responsibilities

Create developmentally appropriate creative movement curricula in a loving and safe environment.
Prepare and instruct classes for toddlers through 3-year-old students.
Manage the classroom.
Perform professional tasks in a manner that exemplifies school standards of courtesy and values.
Use engaging lessons with music, rhythm, storytelling, imaginative play, and movement to develop balance, coordination, body awareness, and creativity.
Give simple directions, guide transitions, and encourage participation without pressure.
Maintain sight and sound of children at all times.
Be flexible about assigned tasks and working with various age groups.
Support parents as partners in education.