Preschool-Kindergarten Teacher

About Logan Heights Community Development Corporation:

Logan Heights Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a community development corporation that is a federal tax-exempt charitable organization. The organization was founded to "strengthen residents and businesses in Greater Logan Heights neighborhoods through community empowerment, education, economic growth, and housing development".

Job Summary:

The position of the Preschool Teacher will support the Preschool Principal/Director in carrying out responsibilities at the Preschool level for the overall quality of the experience offered to children and families including the assurance that laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies are adhered to daily.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Educational Development and Planning (60%)

• Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with the McGraw-Hill curriculum to foster the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of kindergarten and elementary students;

• Create a positive and inclusive learning environment that promotes a love for learning and encourages curiosity, utilizing McGraw-Hill resources effectively;

• Utilize various teaching methods and resources, including those provided by McGraw-Hill, to engage students in interactive and hands-on activities that support their developmental milestones;

• Foster a strong partnership with parents and guardians, ensuring open communication regarding each child's progress and well-being, and incorporating insights from the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Assess and monitor individual student progress, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted interventions when necessary, following the guidelines of the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Collaborate with other educators and staff members to create a cohesive and supportive educational team, sharing insights and experiences related to the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Integrate technology and innovative teaching strategies, aligning them with the McGraw-Hill curriculum, to enhance the learning experience for students;

• Implement behavior management techniques that promote a respectful and positive classroom culture, aligning with the principles of the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Stay current on educational trends and best practices, attending professional development opportunities, including those provided by McGraw-Hill, to continuously improve teaching skills and curriculum implementation;

• Organize and participate in school events, field trips, and extracurricular activities that contribute to the overall growth and development of students, incorporating relevant elements from the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Adapt the curriculum to meet the diverse needs of students, including those with learning differences or special needs, while considering the resources and recommendations provided by the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Foster a love of reading and literacy skills through engaging activities and a well-stocked classroom library, complementing the literacy components of the McGraw-Hill curriculum;

• Coordinate and conduct parent conferences as needed and schedule the visits at times that are suitable for the families which may require evenings and weekends;

• Responsible for the overall quality of educational experience for all children including those with disabilities;

• Coordinate planning the overall education plan for the program and assume responsibility for implementing the plan in the classroom which may include:

  • Program individualization for each child

  • Tracking each child's development

  • Tracking individual goals with input from the parents

• Responsible for maintaining accurate documentation and tracking of the appropriate instruments and forms to ensure all program requirements are met in the mandated time frame as per program standards, including the following:

  • Child/Family Files

  • Lesson Plans

  • Curriculum planning

  • Ongoing Assessment and Transition Plans

  • Meal counts as delegated

  • Tracking sheets as delegated

  • Other documents as assigned

• Aid children in developing self-help skills such as toileting, feeding, dressing, and napping;

• Assume responsibility for an assigned classroom and manage the overall operation of the Preschool in the absence of the Preschool Principal/Director;

• Plan and implement the STEAM-rich curriculum and ensure the program environment (indoor and outdoor) is developmentally compliant, appropriate, safe, and offers children a wide variety of experiences;

• Participate in physical activities such as games, music, movements, and outside play with children;

• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment; and

• Assign and grade classwork, homework, and other assignments.

Regulations and Internal Functions (20%)

• Provide appropriate guidance to all children and ensure their rights are always maintained;

• Maintain confidentiality of records and information of program facilities;

• Comply with teaching standards; and

• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and required trainings which include in-service training as assigned by the Preschool Principal/Director.

Safety Guidelines (20%)

• Responsible as a Mandated Reporter of Child Abuse and Neglect which will follow procedures for reporting known or suspected child abuse and neglect;

• Ensure the Preschool Director is informed of any issues or concerns relating to individual children/families and/or the operations of the program;

• Comply with all safety guidelines;

• Have visual supervision of all children at all times;

• Ensure cleaning procedures are followed and participate in daily housekeeping duties which include but are not limited to vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and dusting to ensure proper sanitation; and

• Utilize program policy and procedures to guide the day-to-day operations of the Preschool.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field from an accredited institution is required;

• 12 postsecondary semester units in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college, required;

• Ongoing professional development to maintain teaching credentials;

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is required;

• State teaching certification for elementary education is preferred;

• Valid teaching credential attained through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), is required;

• Passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), is highly preferred;

• Passing score on the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), preferred;

• Must meet NAEYC candidacy requirements (or be willing to obtain);

• A minimum of 16 hours of Health and Safety Training (including Pediatric First Aid and CPR Certification) is required;

• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of experience working in a licensed Child Care Preschool or similar program is required;

• Proven experience working with kindergarten and elementary students, demonstrating a deep understanding of their developmental stages;

• Completion of a student teaching or supervised classroom teaching experience is required;

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues;

• Ability to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that supports individualized growth;

• Knowledge of effective classroom management techniques and behavior intervention strategies;

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying informed about current educational research and practices;

• Must exhibit a high level of confidentiality;

• Value diversity, youth, and teens and have a broad vision of health and wellness, enhancing relationship building;

• Have creative and artistic teaching abilities and be able to foster creativity;

• Strong desire to make a difference every day and have a love for children;

• Ability to build relationships with family and co-workers and create a dynamic environment where play and learning happen;

• Outstanding customer service skills and ability to multi-task and manage multiple situations effectively;

• Proficient grammar, flexibility, and adaptability;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills and ability to meet tight deadlines;

• Ability to speak, read, and write English;

• Bilingual is preferred;

• Team player;

• High proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint;

• Familiarity with educational technology and its integration into the curriculum;

• Familiarity with technology and social media platforms; and

• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and copy machines.

Logan Heights Community Development Corporation provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.