Pre-K Certified Classroom Teacher- Wheatley

The posting

KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Description

Job Title: Pre-K Certified Classroom Instructor

Job Title Code: 01544

Salary Grade: (See Teacher Salary Schedule)

Department: Early Childhood

Reports To: Office of Early Learning-designated supervisor

FLSA Status: Exempt

PURPOSE OF JOB: To effectively plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom instruction designed to meet the needs of enrolled children. To guide the teaching assistant and facilitate a team teaching environment. To promote the involvement of families in their child’s education.

What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)

Curriculum

1. Understand the content areas of Head Start/Early Childhood Development, support and collaborate with co-workers to ensure an effective child/family service team.
2. Complete required planning during designated planning time during the work day.
3. Organize, plan and implement an instructional program for enrolled children utilizing the framework of the early learning curriculum.
4. 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. Provide a language and print rich environment that promotes literacy through classroom reading and writing activities. 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

1. Monitor the arrival and departure of the students.
2. Maintain a safe transition procedure when moving children from one area of the school to another.
3. Monitor and 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.
4. Order appropriate supplies, materials and equipment for the classroom. Maintain an inventory of classroom supplies and equipment.
5. Maintain a bulletin board with pertinent information for families.
6. Maintain current display of children’s work on bulletin boards in classrooms and in hallways, as available.
7. Keep daily records of student attendance and maintain daily attendance logs for all classroom volunteers.
8. Report all staffing and classrooms concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.

Adult/Child Interactions

1. Interact with children, providing positive role models and guidance as dictated by CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System). This observation tool focuses on the effectiveness of classroom interactions among teachers and children.
2. Establish and maintain respectful, responsive relationships with children utilizing the Conscious Discipline Approach.
3. Demonstrate meaningful interactions with children throughout the day.

Families

1. Actively recruit families and community patrons for volunteer participation. Provide guidance and training to families.
2. Develop and maintain supportive, professional relationships with children and their families to enhance parent education, communication, involvement and advocacy.
3. 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

1. Collaborate with content area specialists related to education, health, safety, and occupancy standards to maintain compliance.
2. Attend orientation and in-service training sessions and implement information from training, and guidance from supervisors and consultants into practice to improve performance.
3. Attend family and professional meetings as required.
4. Obtain a minimum of 20 hours of training each year in the field of Early Childhood education or Child Development.
5. Update professional development plan each year.

Leadership/Management

1. Lead and model professionalism and teamwork within the teaching team, including the family advocate and supervisors.
2. Manage daily classroom activities in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and MO State Licensing requirements.
3. Complete all required paper work assuring accuracy and timeliness.
4. Provides functional guidance to staff, interns, substitutes and volunteers assigned to the classroom.
5. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

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

• 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
• Maintain current physical and TB vaccine, as required.

In Order to #LevelUp in This Role, You'll Need: (Preferred Qualifications)

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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds. Job requires the employee occasionally to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Visual ability requires mono and color vision, close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Length of work year: In person; 8 hours per day; 5 days/week; 185 work days

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.

Why Join Kansas City Public Schools?

Be a Changemaker. Collaborate with Passionate Colleagues. #LevelUp the Future