TK Teacher 2026-2027 Candidate Pool

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher 

190 work days, Exempt

Reports to:  Principal

Organizational Overview

Grow Public Schools’ (GPS) mission is to be a network of high-performing schools in Kern County, dedicated to academic excellence that empowers all students to thrive through a foundation of health and wellness, college and career readiness, and lifelong success. We believe education and wellness are fundamental pillars for success, and their harmonious integration paves the way for brilliant and vibrant futures.

Founded in August of 2011 by the Grimm Family Education Foundation,  GPS is committed to serving the Kern County community through high-quality public education. GPS currently operates two TK-8 schools, Grow Academy Arvin and Grow Academy Shafter, serving more than 1,600 students. With continued growth in mind, GPS plans to open two additional schools, expanding its reach to a total of 3,200 students.

Job Summary:  Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teachers will report to the Principal and will be required to prepare and implement lesson plans that aid student understanding and education. TK Teachers will work collaboratively with other staff in order to provide an effective classroom environment that reflects the goals of Grow Academy.

Teacher Responsibilities will include: 

• Providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences for students to assist them in transitioning to kindergarten based on California Preschool Learning Foundations


• Internalizing and delivering our adopted TK curriculum by preparing for  lessons, organizing instructional materials, and identifying teaching methods to meet the needs of TK students, with an emphasis on developmental skills such as social-emotional and school readiness skills


• Providing an effective classroom environment that reflects and facilitates the Grow Public Schools’ program


• Assessing student progress and maintaining accurate records


• Participating regularly in professional development opportunities


• Maintaining frequent communication with students, students’ families, colleagues, and school leaders both in person and virtually


• Utilizing the adopted behavior monitoring system with fidelity


• Mentoring peers to help them develop the skills needed to progress as teachers, as applicable


• Support students’ self-care and independence with toileting and hygiene routines in a developmentally appropriate, safe, and respectful manner, in accordance with network policies and health guidelines
  

Other functions of the job include but are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrate preparation, skill, and a growth mindset for working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds  


• Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain information for parents when requested; promptly return phone calls and answer emails 


• Active participation in relevant professional learning opportunities provided on site, through the GPS CMO, or an outside provider


• Mentor peers to help them develop the skills needed to progress as teachers, as applicable


• Contribute to campus culture through extracurricular activities such as celebrations, sporting activities, clubs and student organizations


• An enthusiasm for ESY education, experiential problem based approach to learning, and play-based learning
  


• Other related duties as assigned

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree


• A CA state Multiple Subject and/or PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential


• If the candidates doesn’t hold a PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential, they may meet the qualification with one of the following:
  
  
  
  • At least 24 units in early childhood education, or childhood development, or both
  
  
  • Professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children comparable to the 24 units of education listed above.
  
  
  • a Child Development Teacher Permit, or an early childhood education specialist credential, issued from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
  
  
  
  


• Demonstrated mastery of classroom skills including classroom management, planning, assessment and instructional practice


• Proficiency with various technologies and teaching tools


• Bilingual ability preferred but not required
  

Physical requirements: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; walk; use hands to finger; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. The employee is occasionally required to push, move, lift or otherwise bear up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.  Specific hearing abilities are required by this job.

Work Environment: This position is in-person, in instructional facilities located in Kern County. Some travel is required to other work sites.