2025-2026 Preschool Lead Teacher

 **This position is for the 2025-2026 School Year.**

Per Board policy GCBA, a maximum of 21 years of experience (with proper certification) may be transferred from another elementary or secondary accredited system. The highest step a teacher may enter the district at is step 22 of the salary schedule. 

Preschool Lead Teacher

CLASSIFICATION:   Certified

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.      Valid Missouri Teacher’s certificate in appropriate content/grade level 
2.      Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education; Child Development; or closely related degree
3.      Criminal justice fingerprint and background clearance
4.      Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board and/or Superintendent may find appropriate

REPORTS TO:  Early Childhood Coordinator and/or the designee of the superintendent

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:  The lead teacher in the preschool program fosters a creative, flexible learning environment designed for three to five year olds to learn from play. The lead teacher works in partnership with the assistant teacher to plan activities, track individual student progress, work with individual/small groups of children, and attend to the personal care needs of the children. The teachers follow the same routines as the children, eating with them, playing with them, resting with them, exercising with them, and asking open ended questions, all in the context of play-based learning.

REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Creates relevant learning experiences based on learning and development needs of children
2. Designs a learning environment which fosters creativity and learning opportunities
3. Sets up classroom to maximize space and learning activity flow
4. Uses multiple assessment tools to measure student progress daily, weekly, and monthly
5. Completes observational notes and compiles student portfolios
6. Communicates effectively with diverse audiences including families, teachers, and community
7. Encourages and supports children with appropriate social/emotional interactions
8. Develops early childhood center programs and procedures
9. Works with supervisor to complete required reports and budgetary analysis
10. Develops/maintains programs/resources appropriate to early learning curriculum/instructional strategies
11. Knows/implements appropriate behavioral intervention strategies based on student need
12. Demonstrates empathy toward children and family needs
13. Develops specific goals and implementation plans for completing all work requirements
14. Demonstrates a service orientation toward job tasks, children’s needs, and family support
15. Assists students with personal care needs
16. Knows the founding principles of Project Construct
17. Demonstrates Conscious Discipline Training/Leader In Me knowledge

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:   Board approved academic calendar with applicable health and life insurance. Teacher salary to be established by the Board of Education.  *Due to preschool program being tuition-based, years of service worked in this position are not eligible for years toward Tenure based on the Teacher Tenure Act*

EVALUATION:   Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on

Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND VISUAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit. Additionally, the employee may occasionally be required to push or lift up to 50 lbs as necessary for the safety and well-being of others. Lastly, this job requires the employee to have the vision ability to read handwritten or typed materials, and meet multiple demands from several people while interacting with other staff and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB DUTIES: The most significant duties of this position have been included in this job description. However, this job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties performed. In addition, the District may modify this position as needed to reflect the assignment of additional or supplemental duties assigned. Employees are expected to perform all assigned duties regardless of whether such duties appear in this job description.

Revised: May 7, 2019