Preschool Teacher - Palm Academy

The Preschool Teacher is responsible for the academic, social-emotional growth, and development of preschool-age children in their care; develops partnerships with parents to engage and encourage parent participation in the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops weekly plans and implements an age-appropriate curriculum (lesson plan) to nurture and stimulate all domains of children's development.
2. On an ongoing basis, plan, evaluate, and improve the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child.
3. Provide responsive care to all children by adapting daily caregiving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and the group.
4. Prepare developmental progress reports and videotaping as needed.
5. Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the child's background by incorporating cultural, linguistic, and familial values and beliefs into the preschool program and lesson plans.
6. Maintain ongoing, open communication with parents
7. Ensure that each family receives an opportunity to build strong relationships and experience clear communication with teaching staff.
8. Plan periodical parent conferences to discuss children's developmental progress, needs, and interests.
9. Liaison with children's families to ensure a smooth transition from home to preschool setting and changes from classroom to the classroom when needed.
10. Assist families with children's transitions from toddler to preschool and kindergarten.
11. Assures children a healthy, safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
12. Per the "team" philosophy, may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed in this job description.
13. Staff must believe in and act per the Academy and the program's mission statements.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 12-semester units of Early Childhood Education, including core courses in Child/Human Growth and Development; Child, Family and Community, and Program/Curriculum.
• Partially qualified preschool teacher - 6 ECE units completed and enrolled in at least 2-semester units of ECE each semester.
• A minimum of one year of teaching experience in an early childhood program licensed to serve preschoolers in a developmentally appropriate environment is preferred.