Employment

Basic Function:

A Teacher at Hope Lutheran Day School will be involved in designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum to encourage discovery and exploration among children. The Preschool Teacher must ensure the development and safety of these children in accordance with relevant state regulations, federal, legislation and policies. The Preschool Teacher will work to coordinate and foster communication, participation, and ownership in our preschool families. The Preschool Teacher is to work under the supervision of the program Director.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate preschool program for children ages 2 to 5.9.

Main Activities:

• Plan and implement activities to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of the children in the program

• Model Christ’s love to children in words and actions

• Treat each child with dignity and respect in word and action

• Provide adequate guided activities and more open-ended activities throughout the day

• Provide at least 35 minutes of outdoor play (include free play and teacher guided/led activities like games) in the morning and 40 minutes in the afternoon

• Provide adequate equipment and supplies for lessons and activities

• Ensure that equipment and facility are clean, well-maintained and safe at all times

• Develop culturally appropriate programs and activities

• Develop activities that introduce math, literacy, science, cooking, social studies, and community awareness concepts

• Document student progress with bulletin boards, panel displays, or other media

• Establish classroom routines, transition time routines, and acceptable disciplinary policies

• Foster independence and responsibility throughout all aspects of the day

• Teach conflict resolution and problem-solving skills

• Encourage choice making and give appropriate consequences for poor choices

• Foster toilet techniques and encourage the use of the toilet

• Foster correct hand washing techniques and supervise to ensure children are washing their hands

• Make water available to children throughout the day and encourage them to drink water regularly

• Administer First Aid and CPR when needed

• Know and follow school procedures in cases of emergency

• Model healthy eating habits by eating healthy foods and snacks and drinking water regularly

2. Supervise children in the Preschool

Main Activities:

• Ensure children are supervised at all times

• Provide a variety of experiences and activities for children including songs, finger plays, games, storytelling, and projects that encourage creativity

• Encourage and scaffold/expand meaningful play

• Build children’s self-esteem

• Comfort and nurture children

• Interact and play with children 

• Establish routines and provide positive guidance

• Provide safe and secure environment for children to feel comfortable

• Implement positive and loving discipline when needed

• Clearly and effectively communicate in a manner that children understand (Children do not understand “jokes” and sarcasm.)

• Observe children and make note of progress

• Integrate special needs children in a positive and respectful manner

• Ensure diapers are changed at 9:15, before nap, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm and as needed

• Ensure children have clean faces, noses, and dry clothing at all times

3. Supervise children on the playground

Main Activities

• Ensure children are supervised at all times

• Ensure children use equipment safely and appropriately

• Encourage all children to engage and be active

• Plan activities to encourage groups of children in meaningful and engaging physical activities

• Move around frequently to ensure all areas of the playground are within line of sight

• Anticipate problems between children and teach appropriate responses or redirect behaviors

• Keep outside area clean of garbage and extra items

• Clean up after activities and at the end of the day

• Focus your attention on the children and not other teachers

• Teachers should be spread out, on their feet, and watching all areas

4. Communicate with parents and members of the community

• Discuss children’s development with parents in an appropriate manner

• Communicate 2 to 3 positive comments for every 1 negative comment

• Discuss identified problems and needs with the Director before discussing them with the parents or outside professionals

• Call parents and director when a neck/head injury has occurred

• Provide a copy of incident/accident report to parents the same day the accident/incident occurred and file the original

• Make recommendations of next year’s teacher for a child to Director, not parents

• Participate in staff meetings

• Communicate with members of the staff regularly and weekly with your relevant age level teachers

• Read weekly newsletter to be updated of Center activities

• Participate in church singing

• Participate in school workshops and activities

• Participate in home visits

5. Program Administration

Main Activities:

• Keep parents informed of program expectations, program activities and their child’s progress

• Document accidents, incidents, and any program related issues that may occur

• Maintain and evaluate children’s portfolio every two weeks

• Develop daily activity plans

• Have daily activity plans and materials accessible and easy to understand if you are unavailable to teach for a day

• Make requests for vacation in the Fall of every year

• Make requests for other paid/unpaid time off at least a week in advance

• “Request for time off” form must be filled, signed, and approved by Director before taking time off

• Turn in requests for needed classroom items in advance

• Complete requested paperwork on time

• Understand basic (ratios, supervision etc.) CA licensing regulations

• Maintain up-to-date First Aid/CPR certification 

6. Staff Development

Main Activities:

• Discuss teaching style and problem-solving strategies regularly with other teachers

• Evaluate performance and individual goals throughout the year

• Read articles supplied by Director, in-service trainers, and fellow teachers 

• Attend a professional workshop (8 hours) or conference at the Center’s expense; choice of workshop/conference may be at the discretion of the Center

• Maintain a neat, appropriate appearance and be prompt for work hours

• Maintain confidentiality of all children, parents, and staff

7. Perform other related duties as required

​

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 18 semester ECE units (24 ECE units, BA in ECE/CAD or Teacher Permit preferred)

• Good understanding of Biblical truths

• Excellent listening and communicating skills

• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a team environment

• Mature and responsible work attitude and organized work habits

• Ability to perform tasks of physical nature both indoors and outdoors

• Complete 90-day probationary period

​

​

​