Lead Teacher

Location: Richmond, VA

Required Language(s): English

Closing Date:   Open until filled (multiple positions)

DESCRIPTION:

About Dogwood Preschool

Dogwood Preschool offers a dynamic preschool curriculum for children ages 16 months through pre-kindergarten. Our program is defined by:

  • Play-based, age-appropriate choices in each classroom, tailored to the interest and abilities of each child, emphasizing process over product.

  • Intentional language to build empathy and self-confidence in each child

  • An engaged community of parents and teachers modeling kindness and good citizenship

  • Efficient communication, clear policies, effective use of technology to improve the parent experience

Program Overview:

Each classroom offers age-appropriate choices designed to draw in each individual child. Choices include cognitive, fine motor, gross motor, practical life, art, music, reading, and more. Older children will be invited to move between rooms and spaces to explore a wider variety of choices with students within their age group. Dogwood Preschool is a non-profit corporation governed by the Board of Directors. We are a non-denominational school with a Christian foundation, open to people of all religious backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, gender or on the basis of physical and/or mental disability.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Plan, sequence and execute process-based activities for the classroom consistent with the Dogwood Preschool philosophy.

  • Be flexible with lesson plans to allow for depth of engagement based upon the interest of the students.

  • Speak to children using intentional language, designed to encourage empathy and self-confidence.

  • Keep observational records of students.

  • Conduct parent conferences once/semester.

  • Communicate with parents before school and on a weekly basis to describe the most recent week as well as information about upcoming events. 

  • Attend monthly staff meetings and maintain annual continuing education requirements as determined by the director.

  • Collaborate where appropriate with other teachers in planning lessons and sharing materials.

 SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.

  • Familiarity with early childhood educational philosophies (such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Piaget) preferred.

  • Experience teaching preschool-aged children.

  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and spoken).

  • Demonstrated experience planning and sequencing process-focused activities for preschool-aged children covering a variety of developmental objectives including cognitive development, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and social and emotional development.

  • Energy, enthusiasm, and a love for preschool-aged children.

  • Willingness to work as part of a team.

  • Ability to exercise patience and model kindness and good citizenship for children.

  • Desire to go above and beyond to deliver an engaging experience for children.

  • Personal passion for learning and discovery.

  • Empathy, respect for, and desire to support parents.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references with contact information to the Program Director at programdirector@dogwoodpreschool.org.  Position will remain open until filled. For questions, call 804.665.4902.