African Youth & Community Organization (A.Y.C.O.) Preschool Teacher Portland, OR · Full time Company website

Apply for Preschool Teacher

The African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to empowering immigrant and refugee families through culturally responsive education, youth development, and community engagement. AYCO’s Early Learning Program at Wilkes Elementary operates under Multnomah County’s Preschool for All (PFA) initiative, which provides free, inclusive, and high-quality preschool education to 3- and 4-year-old children across the county.

Organization: African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO)

Schedule: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Pay Range: $24.86 – $44.20 per hour, depending on step level and qualifications

About AYCO

The African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO) is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to empowering immigrant and refugee families through culturally responsive education, youth development, and community engagement. AYCO’s Early Learning Program at Wilkes Elementary operates under Multnomah County’s Preschool for All (PFA) initiative, which provides free, inclusive, and high-quality preschool education to 3- and 4-year-old children across the county.

Position Summary

The Preschool Teacher will lead a classroom of preschool-aged children in a full-day, school-year program that promotes social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. This position requires a compassionate, culturally responsive educator who values inclusion, family partnership, and community collaboration.

The teacher will design and implement curriculum aligned with Oregon’s Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines, ensure compliance with Preschool for All (PFA) standards, and maintain a nurturing environment that supports every child’s growth and readiness for kindergarten.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Step 7 or higher, or Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with preschool-aged children in a licensed early learning setting.
• Strong understanding of child development, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive teaching.
• Experience working with immigrant, refugee, and multilingual families preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date).
• Successful completion of background check and fingerprinting required.

Experience

• At least 3 years of classroom teaching experience in an early childhood education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
• Experience supporting children with diverse learning needs, including those with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Proven success in building positive relationships with families and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with Oregon Early Learning Standards and Preschool for All program expectations.
• Experience working in multicultural environments and applying culturally responsive teaching practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a curriculum that aligns with Oregon’s Early Learning Standards and supports children’s holistic development.
• Create a warm, safe, and engaging classroom environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence.
• Use a variety of teaching strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of children, including those from multilingual and multicultural backgrounds.
• Foster positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues through open communication and mutual respect.
• Conduct regular observations and assessments to track children’s progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, developmental milestones, and parent communications.
• Collaborate with teaching assistants, volunteers, and support staff to ensure effective classroom management and instructional support.
• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers through conferences, newsletters, and family engagement events.
• Ensure compliance with all state licensing requirements, health and safety regulations, and AYCO policies.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, staff meetings, and community events to enhance teaching practices and program quality.
• Support AYCO’s mission by promoting cultural awareness, inclusion, and equity in all aspects of the preschool program.

Family Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families through regular communication, conferences, and family events.
• Utilize interpretation and translation services to ensure equitable communication with multilingual families.
• Share developmental progress and collaborate with families to support learning at home.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with Oregon Early Learning & Kindergarten Guidelines.
• Provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences that promote curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Conduct developmental screenings (ASQ-3) within 45 days of each child’s enrollment and complete child assessments twice per year.
• Integrate inclusive practices that support children with disabilities, developmental delays, or Individualized Family Support Plans (IFSPs).

Classroom Environment

• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and culturally affirming classroom environment.
• Follow licensing ratio and group size requirements (1:10 teacher-to-child ratio, maximum group size of 20).
• Support positive behavior guidance and foster emotional regulation and social skills.

Family Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families through regular communication, conferences, and family events.
• Utilize interpretation and translation services to ensure equitable communication with multilingual families.
• Share developmental progress and collaborate with families to support learning at home.

Collaboration and Compliance

• Work closely with AYCO leadership, PFA Preschool Specialists, Inclusion Coordinators, and coaches.
• Participate in professional development, coaching sessions, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, and documentation records in the PFA BridgeCare system.
• Ensure compliance with all Multnomah County PFA program requirements, licensing standards, and health and safety regulations.

Work Environment

The preschool classroom is located within Wilkes Elementary School and operates in partnership with the Reynolds School District. The program runs a school-day, school-year schedule offering at least six hours of instruction per day and a minimum of 900 instructional hours per year.

Teachers will collaborate with school staff, community partners, and families to ensure a cohesive and supportive learning experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and engaging in active play with children.
• Ability to supervise children both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line:

“Preschool Teacher – Wilkes Elementary.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

AYCO is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected status.

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