Pre-K Teacher (Special Education)

Pre-K Teacher Position

Under the general supervision of the administrator, a preschool teacher is an individual charged with the duty of teaching young children of between the ages of two and five. They play the important role of helping the children interact. They get the children ready to enroll into kindergarten. Preschool teachers perform one very important duty of helping shape and mold the lives of young kids. The teachers provide the children with an environment that is both caring and safe where they can grow and learn.

Essential Functions

• Develops and administers Early Childhood Education curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.
• Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
• Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
• Teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior, and procedures for maintaining order.
• Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
• Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
• Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems, and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Encourages parental involvement in students education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
• Ensures that student conduct conforms to the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Coordinates with other professional staff members, especially within grade level, and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
• Selects and requisitions appropriate books, instructional aids and other supplies and equipment and maintains inventory records.
• Implement and update IEP goals.
• Attend IEP meetings.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the administrator and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment

• Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of English grammar, word usage, word denotations and connotations, spelling, literature and other content areas taught.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in standard office and school building environments.

Certification/License

• New York State Certification in Special Education (B-2 or K-12).
• Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide own transportation.

Education

• Bachelors from an accredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teaching assignment.
• Masters Degree in related area preferred.

Experience

• Successful prior teaching experiences in Pre-K a plus.