Program Specialist - Preschool Classroom Lead

Preschool Classroom Lead

The Preschool Classroom Lead coordinates the daily operation of an assigned preschool classroom to ensure children experience a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. This position implements the district's preschool program, organizes classroom routines, prepares learning environments, coordinates the daily work of classroom instructional assistants, maintains required documentation, and supports children's developmental progress.

The Preschool Classroom Lead serves as the primary contact for families, collaborates with district specialists and community partners, and supports successful transitions into kindergarten. The position is responsible for maintaining compliance with Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care regulations, district policies, and program requirements.

This position performs classroom coordination, recordkeeping, family engagement, and child development support throughout the school year and summer programming, as assigned. Employees in this classification do not supervise other employees. The Preschool Classroom Lead works under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Elementary Education/Early Learning or designee.

Essential Responsibilities include:

• Coordinates daily classroom schedules, routines, transitions, and learning experiences consistent with district preschool programming.
• Organizes classroom environments, learning centers, materials, and supplies to support children's developmental growth.
• Coordinates the daily work assignments of preschool instructional assistants to ensure effective classroom operations.
• Maintains a safe, welcoming, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Observes children's developmental progress using district-approved screening and documentation systems.
• Maintains accurate records of student participation, developmental observations, attendance, family contacts, and required program documentation.
• Implements developmental activities that support communication, language development, early literacy, problem solving, social-emotional growth, motor development, and independence.
• Provides personal care and assistance to children as needed, including toileting, hygiene, feeding, positioning, mobility, and delegated health services in accordance with district procedures.
• Communicates regularly with families regarding classroom activities, developmental progress, attendance, and kindergarten readiness.
• Assists families in accessing preschool, kindergarten registration, and community support services.
• Coordinates family engagement opportunities including parent meetings, family literacy events, preschool orientation, and transition activities.
• Collaborates with specialists including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, early intervention providers, school psychologists, nurses, and other district personnel to support individual student needs.
• Implements accommodations and support strategies identified through district processes and service plans.
• Ensures children are appropriately supervised during classroom, playground, meal, transportation, and transition activities.
• Maintains classroom inventories and assists with ordering instructional materials and supplies.
• Supports implementation of district health, safety, nutrition, sanitation, and licensing requirements.
• Assists with preschool enrollment, screening events, and kindergarten transition activities.
• Participates in required district meetings, professional learning, and program planning activities.
• Models flexibility in work schedules that may include occasional evening family events, summer programming, or community outreach activities.

Other Responsibilities include:

• Reports observations, incidents, injuries, safety concerns, or suspected child abuse in accordance with district policy and state law.
• Maintains confidentiality of student, family, and district information.
• Maintains consistent and predictable attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications include:

Education

• At least a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a field related to early childhood education; or
• A field not related to early childhood education, but lead has completed coursework that is equivalent to a major in early childhood education and has sufficient training in early childhood education as determined by the Division; or
• An associate degree with additional training or additional certification in early childhood education or a field related to early childhood education; or
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Preschool Credential or step level 8 as determined by the Oregon Registry Online (ORO).

Experience

Two years of experience working with preschool-aged children in an early learning setting is preferred.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to organize classroom operations and daily activities.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with children and families.
• Ability to use computers, district software, and standard office equipment.

Knowledge

• Early childhood development.
• Developmentally appropriate practices.
• Preschool licensing requirements.
• Health and safety procedures.
• Positive behavior supports.
• Family engagement practices.
• Mandatory reporting requirements.

Abilities

• Coordinate multiple classroom activities simultaneously.
• Work collaboratively with instructional assistants and multidisciplinary teams.
• Build positive relationships with young children and families.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate initiative and sound judgment.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Adapt to changing priorities.
• Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Continuing Education/Training/Clearances

• Criminal background clearance.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain.
• Food Handler Card, if required.
• Oregon Registry participation, as required.

Physical Requirements include:

1. In an eight-hour day employee may:

• Stand/Walk [X] 5-8 hrs
• Sit [X] 5-8 hrs
• Drive [X] None

1. Employee may use hands for repetitive:

• [X] Single Grasping
• [X] Pushing and Pulling
• [X] Fine Manipulation

1. Employee may use feet for repetitive movement as in operating foot controls:

• [X] No

1. Employee may need to:

• Bend [X] Frequently
• Squat [X] Frequently
• Climb Stairs [X] Occasionally
• Lift [X] Occasionally

• [X] Medium Work: Lifting 50 occasionally, 25 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.

The Forest Grove School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship or marital status.

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the Forest Grove School District, View phone number on click.appcast.io.