Lead VPK Teacher

Job Title: Early Childhood Teacher

Reports To: Early Childhood Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Prepared By: Diocesan Office of Human Resources

MISSION STATEMENT FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

"…A Catholic school is unique because of its total commitment to the three-fold purpose of Christian education: message, community, and service. It creates an atmosphere where Catholic faith can be integrated with life and learning...It equips the student to understand his role in his individual, and in his global family, and deepens his awareness of human needs...."

SUMMARY

The Early Childhood Teacher is a qualified professional in education who meets the requirements to teach in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Orlando. The teacher, being creative and resourceful, utilizes instructional materials which are suitable, and provides a variety of meaningful, engaging learning experiences which are academically sound.

The Diocese of Orlando four core values lay the foundation for the work performed by its employees.

1. Authenticity: Conviction that God has called us to reflect exteriorly our inner life of faith in our daily living.

2. Respect: Affirming each person’s God-given dignity and uniqueness.

3. Courage: Inspired by this gift of the Holy Spirit, we proclaim and live the Word of God fearlessly and devotedly.

4. Commitment: Individually and collectively, we are steadfast to the team and its purpose.

QUALIFICATIONS: 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 functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or similar field required; VPK candidates must hold a VPK Certification.
• Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience in early childhood education.
• Complete Department of Children and Families 45 Hour Training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Instructs preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school.

· Establishes and enforces rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.

· Organizes and leads activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.

· Teaches basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.

· Observes and evaluates children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

· Provides a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.

· Serves meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines. Teaches proper eating habits and personal hygiene.

· Prepares materials and classrooms for class activities.

· Enforces all administration policies and rules governing students.

· Identifies children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.

· Establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to children.

· Meets with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determines their priorities for their children, and suggests ways that they can promote learning and development.

· Adapts teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

· Arranges indoor and outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, and safety.

· Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

· Attends professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.

· Prepares reports on students and activities as required by administration.

· Collaborates with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of preschool programs.

· Plans and supervises class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities and guides students in learning from those activities.

· Attends staff meetings and serves on committees as required.

· Attends faculty functions, such as monthly faculty meetings, Diocesan educational conferences, and other events of the school.

· Selects, stores, orders, issues, and inventories classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

· Administers tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, and potential.

· Prepares and implements remedial programs for students requiring extra help.

· Performs administrative duties, such as hall and cafeteria monitoring and bus loading and unloading.

· Supervises, evaluates, and plans assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.

ACADEMIC/SUPERVISORY DUTIES

Teachers are academically qualified and prepared for each day's lessons. They are accountable to the principal, the parents, and the students in the following ways for example but not limited to:

· Lesson planning and class preparedness;

· Evaluation of student performance;

· Parent conferences;

· End of year records;

· Daily Attendance.