Kindergarten Teacher

Reports to: Principal/Designee

About the role

The Kindergarten Teacher plays a vital role in a child's early development by fostering a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. This role is responsible for introducing young learners (typically ages 5-6) to their first formal school experience. The ideal candidate will blend structured academic lessons with play-based learning to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, setting the foundation for lifelong academic success.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a vibrant, age-appropriate curriculum that fosters early literacy, foundational math, science, and social studies.
• Blend structured academic instruction with creative, play-based learning through storytelling, hands-on activities, music, and art.
• Plan flexible lessons that adapt to the shifting energy levels and needs of young learners while meeting foundational academic benchmarks.
• Establish a safe, orderly, and nurturing classroom environment with clear, positive routines.
• Guide children in social-emotional development, teaching essential life skills such as sharing, cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution.
• Supervise students during classroom tasks, recess, lunch, and transitions to ensure physical safety and well-being.
• Observe and assess each child's academic progress, behavioral habits, and physical milestones, maintaining accurate development records.
• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with families through consistent updates on student growth and formal parent-teacher conferences.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a closely related field.
• Valid State Teaching License/Certification for early childhood or kindergarten level.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).

Skills

• Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to and respect for diverse family backgrounds, cultures, and structures.
• Collaboration: A strong team-player mindset to work effectively alongside teaching assistants, special education staff, and grade-level peers.
• Creativity: Innovation in transforming standard curriculum guidelines into vibrant, imaginative, and memorable classroom experiences.
• Patience and Empathy: A genuine love for working with young children and the emotional resilience required to handle high-energy classroom environments.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for interacting with students, parents, administrators, and support staff.
• Adaptability: The ability to pivot lessons quickly based on student engagement, energy levels, or unexpected interruptions.

Technical Skills

• Educational Software & Platforms: Proficiency with learning management tools and apps (e.g., Seesaw, ClassDojo, Google Classroom).
• Interactive Technology: Ability to integrate smartboards, educational tablets, and age-appropriate learning software into the curriculum.
• Administrative Tools: Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace for lesson planning, grading, and reporting.
• Virtual Communication: Experience utilizing Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for virtual parent meetings or remote learning if necessary.

Pay

$36,000 – $42,000 per year

Schedule

Full time, permanent position