Job: Center Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Hourly

Wage: $17-$19/hr. 

Location: Salida, CO.

Job Description

Work Days: 179; follows LCSD Calendar start as soon as available

Department: The Center Early Childhood Programs

Supervisor: Directors of Operation Education

Compensation: $17.00/ hour (Assistant Teacher – $24,344/year) $19.00/hour (Lead Teacher – $27,208/year) – salaried and prorated for contract days; plus EXCELLENT benefits including medical, dental, vision and PTO! (If candidate has an appropriate Colorado teaching certificate, they will be paid according to the Certified Teacher Salary Schedule)

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher: is responsible for ensuring their classroom delivers high quality, data-driven instruction and positive relationships with children and families. Plan, organize, and implement developmentally appropriate educational experiences for preschool age children (3-5 years) based on the individual developmental needs of children. Provide active supervision and support the safety of preschool aged children in all environments. By using a variety of teaching strategies and materials in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Colorado Child Care Licensing Regulations, other funded programs and program philosophy, these experiences will encourage the development of the whole child.

Assistant Teacher: Assist the Lead Teacher with curriculum planning and assessment. Implement daily routine and supervise classroom activities when the Lead Teacher is unavailable. Assist the Lead Teacher with duties as delegated. Support the Lead Teacher with the implementation of developmentally appropriate educational experiences for preschool age children (3-5 years) based on the individual developmental needs of children. Provide active supervision and support the safety of preschool aged children in all environments. By using a variety of teaching strategies and materials in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Colorado Child Care Licensing Regulations, and program philosophy, these experiences will encourage the development of the whole child.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

I. Instructional Practices

A. Plan and execute developmentally appropriate education experiences in Approaches to Learning, Social Emotional, Language and Literacy, Cognitive and Perceptual, Motor and Physical Development in an environment of multicultural experiences through daily lesson plans and classroom activities to promote school readiness.

B. Use effective approaches, strategies, and best practices in the classroom which correlate to the goals and objectives of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold in the classroom environment and children’s daily experiences.

C. Integrate literacy into all areas and provide intentional literacy activities.

D. Set up effective routines and procedures that lead to smooth classroom transitions throughout the day.

E. Implement the Pyramid Model and Second Step program strategies to support foundational structures for effective classroom environments and social emotional literacy.

F. Teach consistent developmentally appropriate classroom rules and expectations, as well as respect and care for school property and each other.

G. Collaborate with the Special Education Specialist and Assistant Director of Education to identify strategies, develop and implement individual plans including behavior plans for children as needed.

H. Promote and supervise both long and short range activities which encourage the development of “the whole child” and support children in their home language by using the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies GOLD, along with Developmentally Appropriate Practices for school readiness.

I. Model and assist children with good nutrition habits which include family style serving and recording meals

II. Learning Environment

A. Maintain a neat and organized classroom, in accordance with program goals and philosophy.

J. Create an effective classroom learning environment in order to promote development and encourage learning. Create an effective environment for learning through the use of visuals, selected resources, intentional selection of learning materials for centers, and displays of children’s work.

IV. Supervisory Responsibilities (Lead Teacher)

A. Oversee and delegate work to the Assistant Teacher. Lead the teaching team and the classroom by facilitating good communication, effective instruction and the completion of high quality work that is delivered on time. Provide ongoing support and feedback to the Assistant Teacher on a regular basis.

III. Program Administrative

A. Work the days and hours to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks, be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements, including but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines

B. Collaborate with DECP and ADE to create a professional development plan that will assist you in meeting your educational and professional goals.

C. Maintain Active Supervision with all children at all times during the day to ensure their safety and program accountability.

D. Observe, assess, and record a child’s developmental progress through anecdotal notes on a daily basis. Facilitate TS Gold checkpoints and finalizing of data in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

E. Individualize the curriculum to meet the child’s needs and report progress to families three times a year through home visits and parent/teacher conferences. Participate with families in setting individual goals for their children based on what is learned through the assessment.

F. Document teaching procedures through weekly lesson plans and calendars for parents and maintain appropriate records which include making a daily checklist related to safety, attendance, individualization through portfolios, classroom sign-in/sign-out sheets, home visit and parent/teacher documentation, mental health and child development assessments, and/or other subjects.

G. Maintain a positive, constructive relationship with parents that support the bond between child and family. This will include planning and attending home visits and parent/teacher conferences twice per year, monthly parent contacts and in-home learning activities.

H. Involve parents in the program in ways that enhance their abilities to support their children’s growth and development and promote the clear expectation that opportunities for involvement are intended to include fathers, mothers and other caregivers. Document all in-kind.

I. Work as a team member with the Assistant Director of Education to set goals for improvement in the classroom and strive to meet the goals and expectations of Creative Curriculum, The Center’s School Readiness Goals and CLASS around quality educational experiences and best practices.

J. Attend school functions, trainings and mandatory staff meetings.

K. Become aware and knowledgeable of the Head Start Performance Standards, State Childcare Regulations, Colorado Preschool Program, The Center’s Policies and Procedures, Employee Handbook and Employee Code of Conduct.

L. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

M. Report any suspected child abuse to supervisor and DHS as required.

N. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Report any suspected child abuse to supervisor and DHS as required.
• In Lead Teacher’s absence, Assistant Teacher will assume full responsibility for classroom and children

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AA in Early Childhood Education/Related Field, Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, or a Colorado Credential Level

II, High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE

6 months documented experience preferred

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EQUIPMENT

• Communication, interpersonal, CPR, and First Aid skills.
• Ability to work with children and adults.
• Must pass a CBI fingerprint and background check prior to hire.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• CPR and First Aid certifications required within three months after hire.
• Must obtain a physical and TB test within 30 days after hire.

SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Responsible for supervising children while at The Center.
• Acts as a resource for children by assisting them with activities and for parents by providing information regarding children’s activities and/or progress.

JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING

Daily work is assigned by the Child Care Director and the Director of Early Childhood Programs. Requires independent judgment and application of professional standards to effectively execute education programs, monitor children’s progress, assess success of activities/program, monitor children’s safety, and/or manage the classroom. Decision making is guided by The Center Employee Handbook and Head Start Performance Standards. Decision making requires collaboration with The Center Leadership Team. Errors in decision making could impact children’s education opportunities, children’s safety, relationships with parents, and/or the public image of the programs. Supervisor is involved only in major decisions.

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES

Duties require cross training in child development, teaching strategies and team building. Duties extend within the assigned building on a daily basis. The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit or be at eye level with the child. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, copy, instruct, use interpersonal skills, and negotiate. Frequently required to compare, analyze, coordinate, evaluate, and synthesize. Occasionally required to copy, compute, and compile.

How to apply:

● Internal candidates (LCSD Employees), please submit a transfer request, letter of interest and resume to Kathleen Fitzsimmons, HR Manager.

● External candidates, please submit a Center Application to Kathleen Fitzsimmons, HR Manager.

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.