Preschool Teacher I (3865)

Purpose & Impact

The purpose of the Teacher I is to serve as lead worker in the classroom. Performs duties planning and implementing educational activities for pre-school aged children or infants/toddlers.

Essential Functions

• Plans, develops and implements daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for pre-school age children or infants and toddlers.
• Plans and arranges classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screens and assesses children to determine developmental/educational needs and develops and implements individual education plans.
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Monitors meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Maintains a safe and orderly classroom environment.
• Communicates with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conducts health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice and other health conditions, and reports to appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Ensures lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards.
• Conducts Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.
• Ensures that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten ready.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Orders supplies and equipment to be used by special needs children in the classroom.
• Assists in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.
• Inspects classrooms and grounds to ensure the safety, orderliness, sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
• Reviews and forwards accident and incident reports.
• Discusses plans and coordinates concerns regarding the child and family with other Head Start/Early Head Start staff.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.

Other Functions

Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds and provide physical assistance in the transportation of special needs children by lifting child into seat and fastening safety belt.

Education

• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education; or an Associate’s Degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children.
• Coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education includes but is not limited to the following: Coursework: No less than 18 semester credits in courses that focus specifically on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science and children’s literature.

Experience

• Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, pre-school or kindergarten age children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Skills

• Working knowledge of brain development and its impact on early learning.
• Working knowledge of child development birth to age five for typical and atypical children.
• Working knowledge of culture and practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Working knowledge of current educational techniques and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in the application of supervisory techniques.
• Skill in verbal communication with infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children.
• Skill in resolving conflicts between pre-school age children.

Why work for LSF?

• Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need.
• Staff find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.
• Amazing benefits package including: Medical, Dental and Vision Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employer paid life insurance (1X salary) 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year) Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement Tuition reimbursement

Principal Accountabilities

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff.
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies and management practices.
• Effective staff management and leadership.

Why LSF?

• LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need.
• LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
• Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes.
• Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements.