Lead VPK Teacher

Blessed Trinity Angels in Arms•Ocala, FL

126d

About The Position

The Early Childhood Teacher is a qualified education professional who meets the requirements to teach in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Orlando. The teacher uses suitable instructional materials and provides varied, meaningful, engaging, and academically sound learning experiences for preschool-aged children. The role is grounded in the Diocese of Orlando’s core values of authenticity, respect, courage, and commitment, and supports the mission of Catholic education by integrating faith with life and learning. The teacher promotes children’s social, physical, intellectual, and developmental growth in preparation for primary school. The role includes planning and delivering lessons and activities, maintaining a safe and orderly classroom, observing and assessing student development, communicating with families, maintaining records, collaborating with colleagues, and supervising teacher assistants and volunteers. Teachers are accountable to the principal, parents, and students for lesson preparation, student evaluation, parent conferences, year-end records, and daily attendance. The work takes place in a busy, occasionally noisy early childhood environment, with multiple activities and situations occurring at once. The teacher must supervise children at all times and be prepared to address accidents and emergencies. Physical demands may include lifting or carrying children or equipment up to 40 pounds; sitting on the floor or child-sized furniture; cleaning and maintaining equipment and facilities; moving through the community with children; and standing, sitting, walking, bending, squatting, and reaching. The teacher may be exposed to illness and contagious conditions, toileting-related odors, and stressful situations involving children’s safety and care.

Requirements

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a similar field.
VPK candidates must hold a VPK Certification.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience in early childhood education.
Completion of the Department of Children and Families 45 Hour Training.
Meet Florida DCF certification requirements.
Comply with GSCS Teacher Handbook Expectations.
Support the ongoing building and living of a faith community in relationships with members of the school and community.
Accept, understand, and use the philosophy of Catholic education as the foundation of teaching.
Participate in professional evaluation of classroom performance.
Ability to supervise children at all times and handle accidents and emergencies.
Ability to lift and/or carry children or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to stand and sit for long periods, walk, bend, stoop or squat, reach, sit on the floor or child-sized furniture, clean and maintain equipment and facilities, and move through the community with children.
Take precautions when in contact with children who may be ill or contagious.

Responsibilities

Instruct preschool-aged children in activities that support the social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school.
Establish and enforce behavior rules and procedures for maintaining order.
Organize and lead games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, field trips, and other activities that promote children’s physical, mental, and social development.
Teach basic skills, including color, shape, number, and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
Observe and evaluate children’s performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Provide materials and resources for learning activities and imaginative play.
Serve meals and snacks according to nutritional guidelines and teach proper eating habits and personal hygiene.
Prepare classroom materials and the classroom for activities.
Enforce administrative policies and rules governing students.
Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss concerns with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
Establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects and communicate them to children.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss children’s progress, needs, and priorities, and suggest ways to support learning and development.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to students’ varying needs and interests.
Arrange indoor and outdoor spaces to support creative play, motor-skill activities, and safety.
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher-training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
Collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop, evaluate, and revise preschool programs.
Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, guest visits, and other experiential activities, and guide students’ learning from them.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
Attend faculty functions, including monthly faculty meetings, Diocesan educational conferences, and other school events.
Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
Administer tests to help determine children’s developmental levels, needs, and potential.
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
Perform administrative duties such as hall and cafeteria monitoring and bus loading and unloading.
Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
Prepare for daily lessons and maintain class preparedness, evaluate student performance, conduct parent conferences, maintain end-of-year records, and record daily attendance.
Support and live the faith community and use the philosophy of Catholic education as the foundation for teaching.
Participate in professional evaluation of classroom performance, meet Florida DCF certification requirements, and comply with GSCS Teacher Handbook expectations.