Job Description:\n\n General Job Description: The support educator role is vital to the organization's mission. Through reflective teaching and purposeful interactions, you will create an environment that will nurture global citizens and create stewards of the world while also supporting children in their learning and development. This requires highly motivated, passionate, creative educators who have excellent communication with children, families, and teaching partners. Educators in this role are successful when fully engaged in the cyclical educational process of observation, reflection, and planning next steps for learning and engagement. DCYF Role Requirements: Employment is contingent upon maintaining compliance with all Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing requirements, including but not limited to background checks, MERIT account maintenance, and completion of required training, such as Safe Sleep, Mandated Reporter, and Emergency Preparedness. Employees must meet the educational qualifications for their role, including holding an Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or higher. If an employee’s degree is unrelated to ECE, they must follow a professional development plan to meet state requirements. Staff are expected to: Be familiar with WAC codes for licensed childcare centers in Washington. Regularly update and maintain their MERIT account (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) with all training and certifications required by licensing. Maintain current certifications in First Aid/CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Food Handling. Complete all required DCYF training within the designated timeframes. Role and Responsibilities: Student Learning and Success Work with teaching team to include family identity and culture in the life of the classroom. Support with the implementation of playful learning experiences, alongside primary and mentor educators, using Creative Curriculum and Emergent Curriculum principles through an anti-bias/anti-racism lens in all curriculum planning. Continue to learn and develop a wide range of strategies to support individuals and groups of children. Help maintain a physical portfolio/journal for every child whenever possible. Follow primary educator’s lead on implementing individual support plans for student success. Share your observations of students’ engagement and development with the teaching team. Family Engagement Develop and maintain professional relationships with families; this includes maintaining confidentiality and providing support and resources when appropriate and under the guidance of the teaching and mentoring team. Communicate frequently with families about their child’s daily experiences and classroom happenings, especially when covering for a primary educator. Support with daily communication needs at drop-off and pick-up as well as through our center-wide app (Brightwheel) As comfort arises, support primary teaching teams with weekly curriculum updates or curriculum display, and support with observations and antidotes during the development of learning stories for individual children. 2026-2027 Program Year – Support Educator Contract Classroom Culture and Environment Do your part to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for anyone entering our center and your classroom environment. Support and continuously adapt an engaging, age-appropriate learning environment that meets the developmental and educational needs of each child. Contribute to a classroom climate in which all children feel motivated, challenged, physically and emotionally safe, and part of a community of learners. Contribute to supporting the sensory environment in ways that meet the needs of each child, including keeping the classroom clean, organized, and free from clutter. Utilize best practices to help guide your work. Reflection and Development Initiate learning conversations and opportunities with your team and classroom mentor, including setting and attaining specific and actionable learning goals for yourself. Attend and positively contribute to monthly reflective practice and communities of practice meetings to support your own learning and the learning of others. Actively participate in faculty training and other professional development opportunities including diversity, equity, and inclusion training. Attend at least 3 events through Hilltop’s Educator Institute each year. Contribute reflectively and constructively to self, co-educator, and administrative evaluation processes. Continue personal self-reflection, self-healing, and self-identifying. Programming and Center Operations Maintain continuity of children’s and family’s experiences throughout the center. Be aware of and uphold organization and center-wide policies and procedures. Be familiar with WAC codes. Regularly update and maintain your own MERIT account (Managed Education and Registry