Pre-K Certified Classroom Teacher- 2026/27 School Year

What You'll Be Doing:

• Curriculum
• Understand the content areas of Head Start/Early Childhood Development
• Collaborate with co-workers to ensure an effective child/family service team
• Complete required planning during designated planning time during the work day
• Organize, plan and implement an instructional program for enrolled children utilizing the framework of the early learning curriculum
• Promote and support children’s social, emotional and physical development consistent with the philosophy of Head Start/Early Childhood Development
• Plan effectively with the teaching assistant on a daily basis to develop appropriate lesson plans
• Ensure that weekly lesson plans are posted within the classroom and address the individual needs of each child
• Individualize instruction to promote the development of each child’s cognitive and language skills
• Implement the use of technology to enhance student achievement
• Implement appropriate activities to assist children in becoming socially competent
• Establish a learning environment that values diversity and provides a variety of multi-cultural experiences
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for each child’s background by incorporating the cultural and familial values into the curriculum
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of each child’s developmental level and progress on a regular basis
• Complete all steps of the student referral process, as designated by the district and Head Start Mental Health/Disabilities Coordinator, to support individual needs of students
• Perform on-going developmental evaluations and assess children’s progress on a quarterly basis by utilizing the designated assessment process
• Environment
• Maintain a safe transition procedure when moving children from one area of the school to another
• Maintain a positive, safe and healthy learning environment for children by immediately reporting any unsafe condition and completing and submitting the monthly safe environments checklist
• Order appropriate supplies, materials and equipment for the classroom
• Maintain an inventory of classroom supplies and equipment
• Maintain a bulletin board with pertinent information for families
• Maintain current display of children’s work on bulletin boards in classrooms and in hallways, as available
• Keep daily records of student attendance and maintain daily attendance logs for all classroom volunteers
• Report all staffing and classrooms concerns to supervisor in a timely manner
• Adult/Child Interactions
• Interact with children, providing positive role models and guidance as dictated by CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System)
• Establish and maintain respectful, responsive relationships with children utilizing the Conscious Discipline Approach
• Demonstrate meaningful interactions with children throughout the day
• Families
• Actively recruit families and community patrons for volunteer participation
• Provide guidance and training to families
• Develop and maintain supportive, professional relationships with children and their families to enhance parent education, communication, involvement and advocacy
• Promote family involvement and provide educational guidance to families through home visits and conferences
• Conduct two home visits and two conferences per family each year
• Professional Development
• Collaborate with content area specialists related to education, health, safety, and occupancy standards to maintain compliance
• Attend orientation and in-service training sessions and implement information from training, and guidance from supervisors and consultants into practice to improve performance
• Attend family and professional meetings as required
• Obtain a minimum of 20 hours of training each year in the field of Early Childhood education or Child Development
• Update professional development plan each year
• Leadership/Management
• Lead and model professionalism and teamwork within the teaching team, including the family advocate and supervisors
• Manage daily classroom activities in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and MO State Licensing requirements
• Complete all required paperwork assuring accuracy and timeliness
• Provides functional guidance to staff, interns, substitutes and volunteers assigned to the classroom

To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need To:

• Hold a valid Missouri Early Childhood (B-3) Teacher Certification and
• A four-year college degree in Early Childhood or
• A four-year college degree in Child Development

To #LevelUp in This Role, You'll Need:

• Experience working with children and families in an urban environment preferred

Physical Demands:

• Sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers
• Bend, stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Visual ability requires mono and color vision, close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Benefits:

• Health and Dental Insurance are provided
• KCPS Defined Benefit Pension plan – mandatory 9% contribution is required from employee and matched by KCPS; Voluntary retirement savings plans are also available