Beginning the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Exempt 1.0 FTE
Reports to: Director and Assistant Director of Infant-Toddler Education Program
All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.
Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.
Job Summary
The Curricular Support Teacher supports the Infant-Toddler Education Program (known as The Studio). They help with all elements of learning and care, including curriculum, assessment, evaluation, classroom management, and student well-being in the classroom.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Art of Teaching:
- Assist and provide classroom support for all Studio classroom teachers and teams.
- Implement the planned curriculum and build meaningful relationships with students.
- Practice thoughtful, respectful and successful classroom management techniques.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and inspire students to participate fully in the learning process.
- With the Curricular Support Teacher team, provide faculty/staff EDP during in-service days and monthly staff meetings as needed.
- With the Curricular Support Teacher team and in collaboration with classroom teachers, provide classroom coverage during parent/guardian conferences and classroom and individual planning times.
- Generate and facilitate curricular experiences for times when curricular support is covering the classrooms during team plannings.
- Carry out all policies according to The Studio educational philosophy, licensing regulations, The Studio Handbook, and The Studio Health and Safety Policies Handbook.
- Assist the lead teachers and other curricular support teachers in planning and implementing the daily schedule and routines for children in the classroom.
- Assist in providing all necessary care for young children such as changing diapers, preparing bottles, feeding, changing clothes, helping with naps, etc.
- Assist the lead teachers in planning and implementing daily activities that are developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, follow an anti-bias perspective, and meet children’s developmental needs.
- Assist the lead teacher and other curricular support teachers in preparing and gathering materials required to implement daily curriculum activities.
- Designs and Leads Exploring Relationships and Connections (ERC) Groups
- In collaboration with curricular support teaching teams, creates an effective classroom environment for both teachers and students.
- Contribute to children’s portfolios and other forms of documentation, and track children’s developmental progress with support from the lead teacher.
- Maintain Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) Statewide Training and Resource System (STARS) hours.
Community:
- Support teaching teams in carrying out the daily classroom routines, activities and tasks.
- Work with the lead teachers and other curricular support teachers to meet the health, safety and developmental needs of students.
- Provide and maintain a dynamic and safe environment.
- Communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) with others, including administrators, colleagues, staff, parents/guardians in order to maintain constructive and professional relationships.
- Attend school related events and meetings outside of the scheduled school day, i.e. parent/guardian informational meetings, curriculum nights, community events, etc.
- Take part in pre-service and in-service professional development when not providing classroom coverage.
- Collaborate and work effectively in teams with colleagues.
- Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with all students, Studio teachers, staff, and hourly workers.
- Employ strong interpersonal skills including being patient and positive.
- Communicate with parents/guardians and families during beginning and end of day transitions as needed.
- Complete other projects as assigned by the Studio Director or Studio Assistant Director.
- Attend and participate in planning meetings, in-service days, and monthly staff meetings when not providing classroom coverage.
- Proactively communicate with the lead teachers and with the director/assistant director when appropriate, keeping them informed of significant happenings in the classroom and in the program.
- Help keep the classroom organized, clean, and safe according to licensing regulations and health and safety procedures.
- Keep personal information regarding children and their families confidential.
- Provide classroom coverage in all classrooms for planned and unplanned absences.
Reflective Practice:
- Participate in annual goal setting and receive regular feedback, facilitated by the Studio Director and Studio Assistant Director.
- Participate in continuing education opportunities, professional development, and professional learning opportunities at UCDS, the UCDS Institute, and in the larger community.
- Actively complete other duties as assigned.
Education &/or Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
- At least one year of experience working with children in some capacity (coursework or a degree in early childhood education is preferred)
- Familiarity with the Reggio-Emilia philosophy is preferred
Qualifications
- Commitment to equity and inclusion practices
- Strong entrepreneurial and organizational skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Successful track record working with a wide range of people
- Detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively
- Collaborates and works effectively in teams with colleagues
- Employs strong interpersonal skills, including being patient and positive
- STARS 30 Hours Basic Training (can be completed within the first 3 months of employment)
- Current CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and negative TB certificates.
Additional Requirements
- Meet the school’s standards when completing all background screenings.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary starts at $$56,100, depending on degree/experience.
The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees subject to the discretion of the Head of School, which includes:
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with available employer matching
- Paid sick leave
- Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employer-paid Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program for employees and their dependents
- Wellness benefit is to be used on items or services that promote wellness
- Professional Development opportunities
- Free parking
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “apply now” button to submit a resume and cover letter.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
UCDS aspires to be a welcoming learning community with a deep commitment and appreciation for diversity in all forms. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central values at UCDS. From our youngest to our oldest students, we strive to help them develop a worldview that identifies, understands, and values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. We weave opportunities for these meaningful conversations, experiences, and learning throughout students’ days. Over the past few years, UCDS has continued to refine our approach and review our DEIB programming to continue to improve the ways we support students, parents, and employees by bringing an equity lens to academic and operational systems across the school.
We encourage members of marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as members of other underrepresented groups, to apply and potentially become a part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
UCDS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. We will provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Physical requirements and job duties listed in this posting are essential to the role. If you believe you need an accommodation to perform these functions, we encourage you to apply and discuss potential accommodations with our team. If you require accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact Dr. Lauryn Mascareñaz, Director of Organizational Development & Personnel, at laurynm@ucds.org.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
UCDS strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school’s policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. UCDS is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance, and other programs, without regard to an employee’s protected status.
All applicants for UCDS employment, both paid and volunteer positions, are subject to criminal background checks.