Brillante Early Learning Center
at Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Start Date: August 1, 2023
Be a founding educator of Brillante Early Learning Center at Explora. The Brillante Lead Teacher will be responsible for creating a joyous, nurturing, exploration-based learning environment for 3- to 5-year-old children in a new classroom located inside Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum. The Lead Teacher will play a pivotal role in piloting Brillante’s first full-time, licensed classroom before the grand opening of Explora’s 12-classroom Brillante Early Learning Center.
The Brillante Lead Teacher is responsible for developing and implementing the classroom curriculum, including:
-Planning for and supporting developmentally appropriate learning in all areas: self, family, and community; approaches to learning; scientific conceptual understanding; aesthetic creativity; mathematics; literacy; and physical development, health, and well-being
-Supporting learning through Reggio Emilia-inspired and STEAM-rich practices
-Supporting the inclusion and full participation of each child
-Building relationships with children and families by engaging in respectful, supportive interactions
-Collaborating with Assistant Teachers, Directors, and Explora Educators
-Maintaining up-to-date classroom records (e.g., lesson plans, student records, assessment, documentation)
The Brillante Lead Teacher will be the primary point of contact for family relationships, and will:
-Ensure ongoing, supportive communication with families by sharing news and resources; keep families informed about their children’s progress, development, and needs; and support families to complete required paperwork
-Facilitate home visits and conferences
-Help plan and attend other family engagement opportunities
The Brillante Lead Teacher is responsible for maintaining the classroom space, including:
-Maintaining safe, clean, organized, and aesthetically welcoming classroom environment
-Creating a classroom environment that is accessible and supports all children, including children from diverse cultures and languages and children who need special developmental support
-Helping to maintain the outdoor spaces and playground
-Sharing current family information and resources within the classroom
-Displaying documentation that reflects and celebrates children’s learning and project work
The Brillante Lead Teacher will support program accreditation functions as we work toward 5-Star accreditation, including:
-Preparing lesson plans and maintaining student records that are aligned with accreditation standards
-Assessing and recording children’s development in alignment with accreditation standards
-Thinking creatively to integrate accreditation-aligned policies and procedures with our curriculum and program practices
The Brillante Lead Teacher is responsible for the following general functions:
-Ensuring that all NM ECECD and licensing regulations are met, including those pertaining to health and safety
-Following program guidance and confidentiality policies and procedures
-Working with their supervisor to develop and pursue a Professional Development Plan
-Always representing Brillante Early Learning Center and Explora in a professional manner at special events and programs connected with Brillante
-Complying with Explora, Brillante Early Learning Center, ECECD, and licensing standards
-Supporting the development of Brillante Early Learning Center as a larger phase of Explora’s Cradle through Career Strategic Initiative
-A Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood or very closely related degree, a teaching license in early childhood, or pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or licensure in early childhood according to NAEYC accreditation standards
-3 or more years classroom experience
-Knowledge of child development and developmentally-appropriate practices
-Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia Approach and emergent, play-based curriculum and an expressed interest in STEAM learning
-Sensitivity with children and families who represent a wide range of social and socio-economic risk factors and the ability to work well in culturally-diverse settings with knowledge of local populations served
-Experience with early childhood accreditation processes (e.g., NAEYC, NECPA)
-Strong verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating professionalism, patience, and tact when communicating with children, families, colleagues, and community partners
-Well-developed organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail, including ability to maintain current classroom records
-Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred
$46,000/year (salaried) with 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums and 9% employer contribution to additional benefits (value of additional 30%)
Email a cover letter and resume to Sarah McKinney at smckinney@explora.us.
Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum of Albuquerque is opening a 3- to 5-year-old licensed childcare and preschool classroom in August 2023. This classroom will be the pilot program for our bigger Brillante Early Learning Center, which is currently under development. We are looking for educators that will be the founding teaching team for that school. This team will be part of developing our program and curriculum with a lot of support and resources to build something beautiful together. We are looking for a lead teacher with vision and expertise in Reggio-inspired practice.
For more info contact Sarah McKinney at smckinney@explora.us.
Together, we are empowering exceptional education.