VPK Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

The VPK Classroom Teacher reports to the Director. The VPK Classroom Teacher will attend regular meetings held by the Director who observes, advises, and serves as a mentor to curriculum management, classroom schedules, record keeping and the classroom environment. The VPK Classroom Teacher is responsible for all aspects of their students’ classroom experience, as well as for partnerships with parents, professional and personal growth, support of other Classroom Teachers and support staff, and administrative duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Classroom Environment

Create a nurturing, respectful, and safe classroom environment that responds to the needs of each student.

· Implement curriculum in accordance with guidelines to established best practices.

· Supervise, guide and support assistant Classroom Teacher effectively to develop, share and participate in classroom activities to meet developmental and academic objectives for VPK.

· Use constructive feedback from the Director to improve curriculum, classroom environment, and address individual student needs.

Student and Family Support

To ensure that students are meeting developmental level expectations, to collaborate with parents as partners, and the Director to help increase student achievement

· Hold parent-teacher conferences two times a year and as needed to provide feedback on students’ developmental progress. Prepare necessary level progress reports for all children in classroom.

· Respond to messages, emails and phone calls from parents in a timely manner.

· Participate in discussion with the Director and other classroom faculty regarding the successful transition of children from level to level.

Professional and Personal Growth

To model lifelong learning and to meet professional development requirements

· Attend professional development workshops outside of school. 

· Set professional and personal goals to be discussed with the Director.

· Support colleagues as needed

Administrative Responsibilities

To assist in the efficient and effective management of the school

· Demonstrate professionalism in every aspect of the job 

· Follow protocols for managing information (i.e. attendance and VPK testing) and completing requests (i.e. purchase orders, supplies, personal days), etc.

· Meet all school deadlines

· Maintain open communication with colleagues.

· Use a timely and positive manner when voicing concerns or seeking help from colleagues.

Additional Responsibilities:

All teachers share responsibility for the well-being of the school. Aspects of this responsibility are:

· Maintaining and striving for an openness to understand and work with the goals and objectives of child development.

· Attendance and participation in scheduled staff meetings, as well as work days throughout the academic year as scheduled.

· Be available, as appropriate and applicable to schedule, to offer extra help to students and their parents. 

· Attendance/assistance at major all-school activities and open houses.

· Create age-appropriate aesthetics in classrooms.

· Maintain and make readily available a lesson plan that can be given to a substitute teacher in the event of an absence.

· Participate in a professional development and accountability plan. 

· Responsible for upholding all staff safety requirements including cleaning protocols throughout the day, as required.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

· A valid Florida Childcare Staff Credential or higher

· Completed all additional required classes to teach VPK

· Minimum of 3-5 years teaching in an early childhood setting

· A deep love for children, respect for parents, enjoyment of working in collaboration with faculty and staff colleagues, joy and enthusiasm in their work, and a commitment to self-development in order to become a model worthy of imitation by the children.

· The ability to lead others and mentor classroom teachers as needed

· Strong teaching and student management skills

· Strong interpersonal skills

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Strong organizational skills

· Successfully complete DCF background screening requirements.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

· Infant/child CPR & First Aid

· Staff Safety Requirements/Cleaning Protocols

· Additional training classes as recommended and needed for continuing education credit.