Pre-School Teacher

USD Head Start is seeking a passionate and dedicated Center Teacher to join our preschool team in Vermillion, SD. In this role, you’ll guide a classroom of 16 children ages 3–5, helping them build the social, emotional, and early academic skills that set the foundation for lifelong learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead a preschool classroom of 16 children
• Create a nurturing, developmentally appropriate learning environment
• Support each child’s growth through engaging activities and individualized attention
• Build strong relationships with families and collaborate with a supportive team

Position Details

• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• 9.5-month schedule (August 15 – May 31)
• Located in Vermillion, South Dakota
• Working hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with ½ hr. unpaid lunch break

Requirements

• BA in Early Childhood Education, Education with Early Childhood Endorsement, or Special Education with Early Childhood specialization
• Experience working with young children
• Passing fingerprint background check

Benefits

This position includes the comprehensive State of South Dakota benefits package:

• Health insurance
• Paid annual and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Matching contributions to the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS)

Working Conditions

• Classroom environment with occasional in-home visits with students
• Exposure to common childhood illnesses and supervision of children in indoor and outdoor environments
• Assist children with toileting as needed; care of injuries to children
• Physical requirements: balancing, bending, stooping, twisting, crouching, grasping, kneeling, lifting light objects, pushing/pulling, reaching, squatting, stretching, use of both hands, walking
• Sensory requirements: depth perception, distant vision, hearing, near vision, peripheral vision, speaking, color vision
• Potential exposure to biohazards, blood/body fluids, infectious diseases, extreme weather conditions