The University of Oklahoma Institute of Child Development (ICD) is a unique environment. We are a fully operational early childhood program that also serves as a living training and research site for early childhood majors as well as the university community. We are looking for someone who wants to grow with us: a skilled, relationship-centered educator who brings genuine expertise to the classroom and is ready to take on meaningful responsibility beyond it.
This is a full-time salaried position. As an Instructional Lab Associate & Program Specialist, you will spend the majority of your time as a direct presence in our classrooms — serving as a skilled mentor teacher across toddler and preschool environments serving children ages 1–5, while also contributing substantively to curriculum and instruction, teacher support, practicum student mentorship, and program operations. In this leadership and instructional role, an individual needs to be an experienced early childhood professional who is ready for a position that is both child-centered and professionally expansive. Overall, this individual will support the daily needs and dynamic nature of programming across the ICD.
Classroom & instructional responsibilities (~50%)
• Serve as a demonstration/relief teacher across all age groups (toddlers through pre-K, ages 1–5), providing skilled, consistent coverage that maintains the rhythm and quality of each classroom while also mentoring other faculty members in the process.
• Implement and thoughtfully adapt lesson plans grounded in our curriculum framework and developmentally appropriate practice
• Observe and document children’s learning, development, and behavior using established program tools
• Support teachers in differentiating instruction and designing responsive learning environments
• Model professional early childhood practice for the university students, interns, and observers regularly present in our classrooms
• Facilitate small-group learning, large-group experiences, outdoor inquiry, and daily transitions with consistency and warmth
• Communicate regularly and professionally with families, serving as a trusted point of contact when lead teachers are absent
Curriculum, instruction & program specialist responsibilities (~30%)
• Meet regularly with classroom teachers to support curriculum planning, instructional alignment, and implementation of program frameworks
• Partner with the director and teaching staff on curriculum planning cycles, instructional resource development, and ongoing program assessment
• Contribute to data collection, documentation, and reporting in support of program evaluation and continuous quality improvement
• Assist with scheduling, staffing coordination, and daily operational logistics that keep the program running smoothly
• Maintain compliance documentation, enrollment records, and accreditation or licensing files with accuracy and attention to detail
• Support onboarding of new staff and help communicate curriculum expectations and program culture
Practicum student support & university partnership (~20%)
• Assist the director in conducting pre and post-conferences with practicum students to set instructional expectations, review lesson plans, and establish goals prior to classroom placements
• Participate in post-conferences with practicum students to provide structured, developmental feedback on observed teaching and child interaction
• Help coordinate the ICD’s role as a university training site, including liaising with university course instructors and placement coordinators
• Serve as a consistent professional resource and mentor figure for practicum students navigating their first classroom experiences
• Assist with special projects, family programming, and community engagement initiatives as directed
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience with children ages 1–5 in a group care or classroom setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and play-based learning approaches
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating with families
• Current or ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification and required state clearances
Preferred
• Master’s level or higher degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or Curriculum & Instruction, or active enrollment in a graduate program
• Experience in a university lab school, research site, or teacher preparation environment
• Familiarity with child observation and documentation systems (e.g., Teaching Strategies GOLD, CLASS)
• Experience supporting, supervising, or conferencing with preservice or practicum teachers
• Experience with Reggio Emilia inspiration programs.
• Demonstrated ability to take on curriculum coordination or administrative responsibilities in an educational setting
University of Oklahoma Benefits Package.
