Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Preschool Teacher

About Friendly House

Friendly House, a nonprofit neighborhood center and social service organization, promotes the interdependence of people from all walks of life to meet educational, recreational, and human service needs in the Portland Metropolitan area. Friendly House creates opportunities for people of all income and age groups to increase social capital, which we define as the bonds that encourage mutually beneficial support. We operate two major programs in Northwest Portland: Community Services and our Children’s Programs. Founded in 1930, the organization has remained true to its settlement house roots, giving special attention to the needs of people facing extraordinary challenges, including children, low-income families, older adults, and LGBT older adults, to assure their inclusion in the fabric of society. We encourage applicants to visit our website ( to learn more.

Job Title – Preschool Teacher

FLSA Classification – non-exempt

Salary Grade – Regular, Full time, 40 hours per week, $25.00 per hour

Benefits - Paid time off and sick leave prorated by FTE. 403b with a 4% match after 90 days of employment, medical, dental, and vision coverage, 11.5 Holidays. Discounts on Preschool, After School, and Summer Camp. EAP program, Fitness center on site.

Report to – Preschoo l Director

Work environment – Work is performed at the Friendly House campus, Chapman Elementary School and Wallace Park. The program occasionally travels to other locations for field trips by foot or by bus.

Supervision – None

Schedule –Monday to Friday – hours to be arranged, and subject to change based on program needs and student schedules.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Job Description- Summary

The Preschool Teacher position brings enthusiasm for helping children to learn and develop to their fullest potential within a preschool setting. In the Friendly House Preschool program, the Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing the overall management of their group. This is a 40-hour per week position. This position will assist in implementing safe, developmentally appropriate activities with a team of teaching staff and will ensure the enrichment, social development, health, and safety of children in the Preschool program.

Essential Functions

• Plan and implement appropriate classroom curriculum. Assist the teaching team to implement daily routines, curriculum, and an inclusive classroom environment with a specific focus on an individual student. 
• With the teaching team, implement activities that are developmentally appropriate and inclusive of all children (anti-bias curriculum). 
• Help set up learning centers in the classroom to facilitate implementation of an inclusive curriculum with the support of the teaching team. 
• Work with the teaching team to ensure the classroom and outdoor environments are adapted to meet the changing needs of the children.

Classroom management 

• Assist the teaching team to implement a classroom schedule and routines that are predictable for the students with flexibility to accommodate the individual needs of all children in the class. 
• Engage students experiencing big emotions using Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports strategies. 
• Using current health guidance, strictly adhere to and model all health and safety practices including but not limited to handwashing, daily cleaning of space, and sanitation of materials. 

Individualization 

• In collaboration with the lead teacher and families, assist with the establishment of individual goals for students, plan activities that are designed to support the goals created, and document the process students are making.
• Work to help maintain a balance of child and adult-led activities that allow children to develop skills as outlined in the individual goals. 

Involving families in the educational planning for their children 

• Work in partnership with the teaching team to maintain working relationships with families through the Brightwheel application, lead 3-5 family-teacher conferences (two times per year) and daily contact. 
• Share progress toward individualized goals of children with their families through daily check-ins and family/teacher conferences. 
• Assist families in gaining awareness of child development and positive approaches to supporting goals outside of school. 

 
Coordination of services 

• Participate in Preschool for All coaching meetings as assigned. 
• Participate in preschool team meetings to discuss needs of students and individualized modifications to curriculum and preschool environments. 
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, as invited, to discuss concerns about children and families. 
• Work closely with therapists and MECP (Multnomah Early Childhood Program) specialists to support students with special needs. 

 

Documentation and reporting 

• Participate and complete assigned ongoing assessments through consistent observations of children engaged in an assortment of activities with a variety of materials and people. 
• Maintain accurate record keeping and report information as requested. 

 

Communication with preschool team and organization 

• Provide guidance and feedback to lead teacher on individual goals for students, weekly curriculum, and lesson plans. 
• Work closely with the teaching team on family and/or child concerns. 
• Check and respond to email and Brightwheel daily. 
• Establish rapport and professional relationships with other staff and programs. 

 

Qualifications?  

• An associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development preferred; OR related coursework that includes seven quarter college credits in ECE, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Special Education; and 2 years of experience teaching 3–5-year-old children in an early childhood education setting or equivalent combination of education and experience and STEP 5 or higher on the Oregon Registry;. 
• Must be registered in the Office of Childcare Central Background Registry. 
• Must be 18 years of age or older. 
• Must obtain a Food Handlers Card, and First Aid/CPR Certifications within 60 days of employment. 
• Must take all mandatory Office of Childcare video classes within 60 days of employment. 
• Physical requirements include the ability to: 
• routinely lift 50 pounds. 
• bend, stoop, twist and sit on the floor with children. 
• run after children. 

 

Requirements  

Knowledge of 

• General principles and best practices of early childhood education. 
• Anti-bias curriculum and developmentally appropriate curricula for preschoolers. 
• Social-emotional support curriculum (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports or similar). 
• Office of Childcare rules for preschool programs. 
• Friendly House’s mission, vision, and values. 

 

Skills 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with adults and children. 
• Talents or areas of expertise that can be shared through class curriculum. 
• Good organizational and time management skills. 

 

Ability to: 

• Assist the preschool teaching team’s implementation of curriculum, observations, developmental assessments, and individualized skill development for students. 
• Supervise children in an appropriate, positive manner. 
• Actively participate in activities with preschool-aged children. 
• Incorporate Friendly House mission, vision, and values into your work life. 
• Work cooperatively with preschool and after school teams and all Friendly House staff members, understanding that all programs support the fulfillment of the mission. 
• Work independently with little supervision. 
• Maintain confidentiality. 
• Be culturally responsive.