Teacher Mentor

This position is for the 2025-2026 School Year. Position open until filled.

This position is located at various locations throughout Thurston County and Grays Harbor County. The work schedule is 8 hours/day and 204 days/year. Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision, Life/AD&D insurance, FSA/DCAP, LTD insurance, Retirement/DCP, EAP, Sick Leave, Personal Leave and Holiday Pay.

Please see the job description below for a list of Essential Functions.

ELP- Teacher Mentor Job Description

Purpose Statement

The job of ELP- Teacher Mentor is done for the purpose/s of serving as a mentor to direct service staff in the area of Child Development/Education, Family/Community partnerships and Health services. This position assists in the planning and delivery of training in all aspects of the Head Start program.

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: This is a union represented position (Federation of Head Start Employees) and is further distinguished from similar jobs per the essential functions and educational requirements listed below.

This job reports to ELP- Director of Early Learning.

Essential Functions

Advises and models for teams (e.g. child's needs, observations, lesson planning, individualizing and classroom environments, etc.) for the purpose of developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing individual classroom goals.

Assists in the development and implementation of Head Start policies and procedures, training plans for the purpose of working with direct staff to improve program quality for students and families.

Assists direct service staff in how to promote parent involvement for the purpose of implementing family service plans.

Attends various educational workshops, seminars, in-services, on-going evaluation process, reviewing the position plan, etc. for the purpose of maintaining their professional knowledge.

Contributes to the team for the purpose of defining and clarifying roles and expectations with coworkers and cooperating with other program staff to maintain program quality.

Demonstrates methods required to perform activities for the purpose of providing an effective program and addressing the needs of individual students.

Guides direct services staff in implementing lesson plans for the purpose of helping to enrich and maintain a safe environment both physically as well as emotionally.

Maintains documentation of program activities and confidential records of interactions with staff for the purpose of support program and staff confidentiality and accurate reports requests.

Mentors direct services staff by modeling and teaching effective classroom learning environments and schedules; teaches staff to integrate health, nutrition, and safety components into daily activities for the purpose of improving child outcomes.

Monitors children's activities (e.g. classroom, snacks/lunch, playground, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing for the safety and welfare of children.

Participates in various on site and off-site work related program activities (e.g. family staffing, staff training, planning, communication and evaluation activities, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information related to program plan.

Trains and mentors staff for the purpose of training volunteers, substitutes, and parents on strategies that promote positive interaction with children in the classroom and at home through modeling and effective management techniques and utilization of positive behavior support tools.

Works with direct services staff with making referrals for children or families with special needs for the purpose of following appropriate referral procedures.

Marginal Functions

Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Not Rated Functions

Plans classroom activities for the purpose of creating developmentally appropriate lesson plans to meet individual and group needs.

Prepares teaching materials and related reports (e.g. classroom activities, individual child observations, program records, individual infant daily information reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting family and child activities as described in the work plan.

Responds to the personal needs of children, birth to 6 years (e.g. daily routines, diaper changing, feeding, changing soiled/wet clothes, etc.) for the purpose of addressing the needs of individual students.

Travels off site for the purpose of performing tasks necessary to support center and/or program operations.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Skills: Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; planning and managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records. Two years experience as a teacher or teacher assistant in working with children in an infant/toddler or preschool setting required.

Knowledge: Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development; age appropriate activities; health standards and hazards; and safety practices and procedures. Basic knowledge of comprehensive early childhood development programs (Head Start or ECEAP) desired.

Ability: Ability is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with others; work with similar types of data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with a variety of groups; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; work related travel in personal vehicle; and working with constant interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to affect the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 15% sitting, 35% walking, and 50% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience

Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Education (Minimum)

Community college and/or vocational school degree with study in job-related area.

Equivalency

None specified.

Employment Information

FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Approval Date: 8/7/2024
Salary Grade: 31

Required Testing, Certificates and Licenses

Physical exam within 6 weeks of hire and periodic exams every 4 years
Obtain CPR/First Aid Certificate within 60 days of hire
Obtain Food Handlers Permit within 30 days of hire
Valid driver's license & insurance coverage as required by law

Continuing Education / Training

Minimum of an AA or ATA in ECE or AA in related field with 30 quarter credits of ECE (required within 3 years of hire date), or for a Birth-Toddler classroom a CDA with an infant/toddler endorsement.
Completion of Child Care Basic training approved by STARS, required within 6 months of hire date (or be exempt).
15 hours of high quality, intensive, classroom focused professional development annually

Clearances

Criminal Justice and DEL Fingerprint/Background Clearance
MMR Clearance
WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Capital Region ESD 113 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Early Learning-Teacher Mentor