Kindergarten Teacher

Organizational Summary: The Center for Young Children (CYC) is the laboratory school within the department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology in the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. We serve children in preschool and kindergarten. The CYC has a mission of providing an early childhood program aligned with research on how children learn, mentoring undergraduate student interns, and supporting research on how children learn and develop.

CYC Teachers have both supervisory and classroom teaching responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities include the following:
Assist with the responsibility for the overall operation of the Center for Young Children in the rare absence of administrators in order to remain in compliance with the State of Maryland Licensing Guidelines.
Mentor student interns and other University students in an effort to guide them in their professional development. Teachers guide, support, and describe appropriate behaviors and effective practice to students as they connect theory with practice.
Supervise and mentor student aides working in the classroom, modeling for them direct, positive interactions with the children and demonstrating how they can best support you in the daily schedule.
Follow all CYC policies about conducting research in order to assist faculty/graduate students with data collection.
Supervise all indoor activities to ensure the safety and security of the children in your care.
Supervise outdoor/playground activities and direct student aides to assist with playground supervision to ensure children's safety and security.

Classroom Teaching Responsibilities include the following:
Teachers at the CYC work in a co-teaching model (2 equal teachers plus student aides for classroom support). Professional collaboration plays a key role in the operation of a smooth classroom environment.
Curriculum: Project-based learning and content-area integrated learning centers are at the core of the CYC curriculum. Teachers will collaborate, intentionally plan and implement developmentally appropriate, first-hand activities, experiences, and investigations that embed the MSDE Early Learning Standards. Familiarity with The Project Approach is desired but not required.
Assessment: Teachers collect information about each child thorugh the collection of work samples, anecdotal note taking, checklists, photographs and videos. They prepare and keep organized files of this information. Twice a year, teachers write a Narrative Summary Report to be shared with families during formal conferences.
The CYC is an inclusive program that enrolls students from a wide variety of backgrounds, family structures, who speak different languages and who might have a special need or diagnosed disability. Teachers are expected to fully include children into their classroom who have a variety of developmental needs. All children should feel safe, respected, and cared for when establishing the classroom community.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or related field from an accredited college or university.
Ability to be qualified as a teacher under Maryland Office of Child Care guidelines

Physical Demands:

Must be able to supervise children by sight and sound; must be able to lift up to 40 pounds; must be able to get up and down from the floor; must be able to move around the classroom and playground.

Preferences: Degree in special education (including kindergarten) strongly preferred, or master's degree in ECE or elementary education.

Licenses/Certifications: Must have a MD teaching license/certification for kindergarten or must be qualified to attain one.

Required Application Materials: Please submit a resume and cover letter, as well as unofficial college transcripts.

Best Consideration Date: 8/15/2025

Posting Close Date: 12/31/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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