Kindergarten Teacher

Regular, full-time certified position reporting to the Building Principal.

About the Role

The teacher is responsible for providing high-quality, standards-based instruction that supports students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Performance is evaluated using the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES), assessing instructional planning, classroom environment, delivery, assessment, professionalism, and student growth.

Teachers are expected to engage in continuous professional development, contribute positively to school culture, advance the district's mission, vision, and values, and collaborate with colleagues, families, administrators, and stakeholders to ensure student well-being and growth while upholding professional and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

Student Wellbeing and Student-Centered Practices

• Prioritize student well-being by fostering a supportive, caring, and responsive classroom environment addressing academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Establish clear boundaries and set high expectations for student interactions, behavior, and effort.
• Uphold and implement school and district regulations, policies, and codes of conduct.
• Utilize evidence-based strategies (including restorative practices) to build student independence, agency, and self-advocacy.
• Differentiate instruction, materials, environments, accommodations, and assessments to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Employ student-centered instructional approaches that actively engage students in their learning, encourage student voice and choice, and promote ownership of learning outcomes.

Instructional Planning and Content Knowledge

• Develop and implement engaging lessons and lesson plans aligned with the Ohio Learning Standards and district curriculum.
• Coach and guide students to set clear, challenging, and measurable learning goals, ensuring lessons are relevant, rigorous, and promote agency and experiential learning.
• Encourage students to take ownership of their learning through active engagement, knowledge transfer, and reflective practices.
• Design experiences where students learn key concepts or develop prioritized skills by engaging intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, and/or physically.
• Utilize a variety of research-based instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners, including students with disabilities, gifted abilities, and English language learners.
• Use assessment data to inform instructional decisions and differentiate instruction, assessments, physical environment, access, and tools to support diverse learners.
• Integrate technology effectively into the curriculum to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of student progress and attendance for timely reporting.

Classroom Environment

• Develop, communicate, and consistently implement processes and routines for classroom behavior, transitions, and daily activities to ensure a safe, structured, and predictable learning environment.
• Establish and maintain a respectful, safe, and inclusive classroom climate promoting constructive student engagement, positive personal behavior, and respectful student-to-student relationships.
• Foster a culture of high expectations and mutual respect among students.

Student Growth, Assessment, and Data Use

• Deliver instruction using research-based strategies and varied methods to meet the needs of all students.
• Use formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, provide timely feedback, and adjust instruction as needed.
• Contribute to student growth as measured by approved student growth measures (e.g., value-added data, vendor assessments, student learning objectives).
• Reflect on instructional practices and use data to set professional growth goals aligned with the Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) and Professional Growth Plan.
• Implement the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework effectively by analyzing data to identify students in need of additional support.
• Monitor student progress within MTSS and adjust interventions as needed based on data.
• Collaborate with instructional coaches, grade-level/department teams, intervention specialists, and other support staff in the MTSS problem-solving process.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of student progress, attendance, and intervention data for comprehensive documentation.

Professionalism and Partnership

• Demonstrate ethical behavior, integrity, reliability, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth in alignment with the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators and the district's Employee Code of Conduct.
• Collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and families to support student growth, behavior, well-being, and achievement, school improvement goals, and implementation of the district's Strategic Plan.
• Participate in professional learning communities, staff meetings, and required professional development.
• Contribute to the school community by participating in school-wide initiatives, committees, and extracurricular activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, Superintendent's designee, or Superintendent.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education or related subject area.
• Valid and current Ohio educator license for the grade level and subject area(s) of assignment.
• Satisfactory criminal background check in accordance with Ohio law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with instructional technology, data-driven instruction, and restorative practices.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to high standards of professional practice and continuous improvement.
• Certification and experience in crisis prevention, trauma-informed behavior management, and/or de-escalation intervention.

Skills

• Learn with curiosity.
• Demonstrate kindness.
• Embrace equity.
• Support the values of the district's strategic and equity plans.
• Develop and sustain meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Confidently and tactfully assist people in stressful, difficult, and challenging situations.
• Belief that teaching is a growth-based, reflective endeavor with multiple approaches to teaching and learning.
• Interact positively and supportively with staff, students, families, and the community.
• Respect the variability of cultures, including but not limited to socioeconomic status, religions, and family types.
• Follow all safety guidelines under the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code for public school employees, including bloodborne pathogens, ethics, fraud, reporting child abuse and neglect, etc.

Required Knowledge and Use of Equipment and Software

• Electronic devices, copier, printer, scanner, laminator, and phone.
• Keys and locking mechanisms on doors, cabinets, windows, etc.
• District-employed software, including Google Education software: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Forms, Sheets, and other Google products.
• Applications or devices used for calculations, dictionaries, thesauri, grammar correction, or other relevant applications.
• Phone equipment and functions, including transferring, holding, and sending callers to voicemail.

Working Conditions

• May occasionally be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue.
• Frequent interruptions to support students, staff, parents/guardians, community members, and visitors.
• Occasional nights/extended days due to school functions.
• Ability to move around the school, district grounds, classroom, and learning environments to assist others.
• Ability to lift and move up to 40 lbs.
• Repetitive hand motion (e.g., keyboard, typing) or voice-to-text.
• Work in a classroom environment with a moderate level of noise.
• Remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout employment.