Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teacher provides high quality instruction within a small, nontraditional preschool environment where every student is known and valued as an individual; serve students in transitional kindergarten; uphold the mission and values of Aspire Public Schools and contribute to our goal that every student in California has access to a high quality public education. Some Transitional Kindergarten Teachers teach solely TK students, while others teach a combination of TK and Kindergarten depending on the year, school, and enrollment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish a culture of high expectations that includes the shared belief that every student will attend college.
• To be knowledgeable about current ideas, trends, methods, programs, and materials related to early childhood and preschool education.
• Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate program geared to transitional kindergarten children in order to bridge the preschool and kindergarten worlds.
• Provide a safe and quality environment that appropriately meets the social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs of young children.
• Instruct and support all students, including those that have been historically marginalized, in an inclusive learning environment.
• Create lessons for access using a universal design for learning framework.
• Develop and implement lesson plans and classroom activities aligned with California State Standards and Aspire Instructional Guidelines.
• Assess students regularly and analyze student results; refine and differentiate classroom instruction based on assessment data and student needs.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve instructional practices throughout the school; share best practices.
• Communicate regularly with students and their families about classroom activities and student progress.
• Involve parents and guardians as partners in their students’ education.
• Manage and support student behavior using positive behavior strategies to ensure every student is fully engaged.
• Actively participate in professional development activities, and work closely with lead teachers, support staff, principal, and instructional coaches.
• Maintain accurate student records including attendance.
• Identify unique student needs and collaborate with team members to effectively address those needs.
• Support students with toileting needs.
• Support the mission, vision, and core values of Aspire Public Schools.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of early childhood education philosophies and practices
• Knowledge of child cognitive development and various learning styles
• Knowledge of subject matter, including California State Standards, CCSS, and subject-specific frameworks
• Ability and willingness to implement Aspire Instructional Guidelines and Best Practices
• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative student data
• Ability and willingness to reflect and improve instructional practices
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, parents and community
• Ability to work in a school environment
• Computer and Internet search skills

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Valid California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential required AND at least one of the following:

1. (1) transcripts verifying at least 24 units in early childhood education or child development, or both;
2. (2) a letter on letterhead verifying professional teaching experience in a classroom setting with preschool-aged children (including teaching pre-school, TK and K and 1st grade) that a local educational agency (LEA) deems comparable to 24 units; or
3. (3) evidence of a valid Child Development Teacher Permit issued from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):

Permit options: Child Development Teacher Permit, Child Development Master Teacher Permit, Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, or the Child Development Program Director Permit

NCLB Highly Qualified

1+ year working with students in early education as a teacher, teacher intern or teaching assistant preferred

Physical requirements:

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Clear the Department of Justice background screening
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Provide health (TB) clearance (most update every four years)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation:

Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is $71,000- $130,000 for the 26-27 school year.

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.
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