General Function
The Tuition-Based Preschool Teacher is responsible for all aspects of planning, evaluating and instructing child development/school readiness skills as assessed appropriate to the needs of the students enrolled in the program. The preschool teacher will also teach all programming and related functions relevant to the developmental/educational program for the students in his/her classroom; and integrate all required components in accordance with the NC RESA preschool curriculum and philosophy.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development; OR
- Associate’s degree in early childhood education with 18 semester hours in early childhood development classes and 480 hours of experience in an early childhood setting.
- Required courses of study must include – two semester hours in child care administration or 3.0 CEUs.
- Must meet State of Michigan Child Care Center Licensing Rule requirement for a program director.
- Able to work as a member of a team and contribute to the agency vision and goals.
- Positive leadership skills.
- CPR and First Aid certification required per licensing.
- Must complete and pass required criminal history checks.
Essential Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Essential duties shall include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain a working knowledge of expected performance standards, especially related to child development and its integration within the NC RESA early childhood curriculum and assessments, and systems utilized within the program.
- Maintain primary responsibility for the lesson planning, environment, data collection and record-keeping associated with highest quality developmental/educational programming for the students in his/her classroom.
- Maintain primary responsibility for the effective involvement of teaching team partners within the planning, provision, coordination, data collection and record-keeping associated with highest quality early childhood programming.
- Conduct ongoing diagnosis, observation, and review of all students enrolled in the program; including documentation of such in COR with ongoing anecdotal records for each student.
- Participate in enrollment screens.
- Attend and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as recommended by NC RESA special education staff.
- Meet with Early Childhood Specialists as needed to ensure quality programming for special needs students.
- Schedule a minimum of three (3) parent/family activities with educational/literacy focus.
- Maintain up-to-date progress documentation in COR.
- Maintain an ongoing home-school communication system/newsletter that provides updates on classroom happenings/activities/lessons and relationships to essential outcomes.
- Coordinate the ordering and inventory of all supplies and special equipment for use in the classroom.
- Attend all staff meetings, trainings, and other scheduled program activities relevant to the child development needs of enrolled children.
- Assist in the ongoing monitoring and assessment of the entire program and provide input into the planning for continuous improvement.
- Design and/or assist in the development of required forms and/or record-keeping systems and maintain files of required records, reports, and program information.
- Complete and submit all required reports and records on time and in a professional manner.
- Arrange for classroom facilities and substitutes as required.
- Work closely with the other preschool teachers and with local district kindergarten teachers in the coordination of philosophy, materials, and proper sequencing of skills development.
- Be responsible for the professional effectiveness of the classroom teaching team.
- Maintain and submit paperwork, receipts, records in accordance with NC RESA’s systems of operations.
- Continuously update knowledge and experience related to early childhood best practices, child development stages, HighScope, and other related areas.
- Maintain educational and health credentials and files as necessary.
- Predictable/reliable attendance.
- Act as a resource, if needed, to the general public and students attending or visiting NC RESA.
- Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.
- Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Learning Services.
Relationships and Commitment
The Tuition-Based Preschool Teacher shall be directly responsible to the Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Learning Services and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through:
- adherence to agency policies and administrative regulations
- performance resulting in quality outcomes
- performance resulting in internal and external customer satisfaction
- continuous personal and professional improvement and development
- positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and customers
- continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation
- exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of the position
- supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan including all guiding principles, service expectations, and strategic directions
Other Required Skills
- Able to communicate effectively (language skills).
- Able to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills).
- Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (critical-thinking skills).
- Physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, (i.e. squatting, sitting on floor, outdoor activities, etc.) (physical demands). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- General classroom setting; the noise level in this position varies.
Terms of Employment
- hourly/at-will employee (non-exempt, under FLSA guidelines)
- school year position; hours may vary
- position covered by administrative regulations
- evaluated annually by the Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Learning Services
