Lead Preschool Teacher - Ascension Catholic School

Company Description:
Ascension Catholic Academy is a consortium of Catholic schools located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The Academy is committed to providing academic excellence to diverse neighborhoods and welcoming families as beloved children of God. As a ministry of Church of the Ascension we ensure excellence, accessibility, and sustainability for our four schools: Ascension Catholic School, St. John Paul II Catholic School, St. Pascal Regional Catholic School and St. Peter Claver Catholic School. Each school has an Early Childhood Learning Center on site.

Job Description:
This is a full-time on-site year round role for a Lead Preschool Teacher located at Ascension Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN. Under the supervision of the Director of Early Childhood Learning, the Lead Preschool Teacher will be responsible for day-to-day tasks such as lesson planning, curriculum development, and early childhood education. Effective communication and collaboration with colleagues and families is essential. The Lead Preschool Teacher strives to achieve the goals of catholic education by developing an age-appropriate faith-filled learning and social environment and that is nurturing and engaging for all preschool students. May perform other job-related tasks as deemed necessary and/or assigned by the Director of Early Childhood Learning.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement age-appropriate daily lessons that promote children's cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development

• Develop and maintain a Catholic faith-based curriculum that incorporates prayers, religious stories, and values appropriate for preschool students

• Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment that supports both individual and group learning experiences

• Observe and assess children's development, maintain accurate records, and communicate progress to families regularly

• Collaborate with teaching assistants and other staff members to ensure smooth classroom operations and consistent teaching approaches

• Partner with families through regular communication, parent conferences, and updates about their child's progress and classroom activities

• Maintain compliance with all state licensing requirements, health and safety protocols, and school policies

• Prepare and organize classroom materials, learning centers, and educational resources

• Manage classroom behavior using positive guidance techniques and age-appropriate strategies

• Participate in professional development opportunities and staff meetings to enhance teaching skills and stay current with early childhood education best practices

• Supervise and support children during meals, rest time, outdoor play, and other daily activities

• Work closely with the Director of Early Childhood Learning to ensure program quality and alignment with school objectives

• Maintain accurate attendance records, incident reports, and other required documentation

• Foster inclusive practices that celebrate diversity and create a welcoming environment for all families and students

• Support children's transition to kindergarten by developing school readiness skills and maintaining communication with elementary school staff

Benefits Overview:

Ascension Catholic Academy provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our benefits include medical and dental insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents, with options for a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), depending on the chosen health plan. Employees receive life insurance with the option for supplemental coverage, as well as long-term disability protection. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match for retirement planning. Full benefit details, terms, and conditions are outlined in Ascension’s Employee Handbook and plan documents, available upon request. Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on employment status and length of service.

Pay Range: $22 - $25 per hour

Starting Pay is determined by the candidate's experience and education level

Ascension Catholic Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Qualifications: 

• Experience in lesson planning, curriculum development, and early childhood education
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and engage with families
• Knowledge of pre-kindergarten educational practices and techniques
• Demonstrate willingness to learn technology skills as required by the position
• Patience, empathy, and a passion for working with young children
• Active listening and problem-solving skills
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field (preferred)
• DHS Teacher qualified, Teaching certification or licensure (preferred)

 Physical Requirements:

•  Ability to work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, including attendance at required school events (graduation, holiday programs, and other activities as determined by administration)
•  Sustained mobility to move throughout classroom and school environments for extended periods
•  Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform physical tasks required in an educational setting
• Full sensory capabilities including ability to speak clearly, see, hear, and respond effectively to students, staff, and administrators at all times
• Ability to fulfill all commitments of the educational program throughout the school year

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Salary : $22 - $25