26 - Early Childhood Educator

Pueblo School District 60•Pueblo, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Childhood Educator functions as a member of the Preschool co-teaching team. The Educator applies research-based knowledge of child development and the stages of learning for preschoolers to promote student growth and achievement at a rate appropriate to age and stage of development. The Educator organizes and maintains a learning environment along with varied learning experiences conducive to social/emotional, cognitive, and physical, language, literacy, and mathematical development for preschool age children. Responsibilities includes but are not limited to maintaining a clean and safe learning environment, feeding, changing diapers, documentation of individual student progress/completing data reports, and conferencing collaboratively with parents. Each classroom is designed with 2 Early Childhood Educators working as team co-teachers. In addition, assignments in the position may include working as a "floater" who at times assists a teaching team in a classroom, or may travel to different locations to cover absences in the Early Childhood Program.

Requirements

Possess and maintain valid Large Center Director Certification or Level 3 Early Childhood Professional Credential through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Valid Colorado Driver's License and/or reliable transportation
Employee must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check and must be cleared by the Office of Human Resources as well as pass Trails background check through Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using proper grammar and vocabulary

Nice To Haves

Experience/knowledge in Early Childhood field.
Previous experience working with students with special needs
Spanish speaking skills

Responsibilities

Ensure developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) occur through an "active learning" approach and in compliance with the Colorado Department of Quality Standards for Early Childhood Programs when implementing the district curriculum.
Responsible for overall classroom management to meet the social and emotional needs of students enrolled.
Work as part of team in maintaining constant supervision of children, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times.
Report any health concerns, injuries, or suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
Responsible for planning, preparing and carrying out student learning opportunities based on current and on-going knowledge of individual student needs and the goals of the preschool program.
Adhere to classroom policies and procedures to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.
Help with and direct activities like breakfast, lunch, snack time, cleanup; including picking and returning items to cafeteria, taking students to and from cafeteria, and bathroom breaks.
Responsible for keeping classroom and surrounding areas cleaned, straightened, and organized.
Responsible for adapting the curriculum and explicit/direct instruction to meet the needs of individual children identified for special education services; work with children individually or in small groups; attend special education meetings to support the development of classroom activities when requested; initiate referrals when necessary
Work cooperatively with team members to engage families and parents in Family Partnership Events, parent-teacher conferences, and other assigned/created parent events
Develop and follow action plans when necessary and work with children to achieve independent self-help skills to include assisting with toileting, potty-training, and diapering as needed and assist students with preparing for and taking part in classroom snacks/meals
Recognize the needs of young children. Use daily routines and activities to foster children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development
Function as a preschool team member, take appropriate measures to communicate expectations effectively, offer solutions for work problems, and take action for self-improvement.
Demonstrate understanding of job responsibilities, model appropriate team leadership skills, maintain consistent attendance and punctuality to work in reporting to assigned classroom, appropriate appearance and dress, and observe established safety and health standards
Teach and interact with students in order to effectively provide early childhood education/intervention services in a multiage and inclusive preschool setting.
Assist with the implementation and development of age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans. This includes participation in developmental screenings, lesson planning, PLC's, observing and documenting observations and assessments in TS Gold, observing and documenting observations for MTSS and PreK/ESS referrals
Work cooperatively and interact with parents, colleagues, and administrators in a respectful, professional and courteous manner.
Check emails daily, participate in building meetings, teacher work days, etc.
Attend and participate in school and district professional development activities
Where applicable, oversees the day-to-day operation of the classroom such as responding to student behaviors, addressing parent concerns, entering student attendance data in the district student information system, ensuring compliance with licensing (both for the classroom and for individual requirements; i.e., up-to-date director qualifications), health and fire regulations for preschool programs, etc.
Employees assigned to floating positions will regularly be required to step in as a substitute to cover other early childhood classroom absences. Floaters are responsible to check in with the early childhood department at the end of each day regarding assignments for next day. Once assigned a location for the day, employees are then responsible for all the responsibilities above, at the assigned location.
Perform any and all other duties as assigned by building and program administration