Kindergarten Teacher

OhioGuidestone•Cleveland, OH

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Stepstone Academy is seeking a passionate and dedicated Kindergarten Teacher to join our team. This role is crucial in fostering a positive and structured learning environment where students can observe, understand, and exemplify the Stepstone Academy mission. The ideal candidate will be committed to changing the way urban students are educated, demonstrating exceptional inspiration, persistence, motivation, and drive. This position requires a "What-Ever-It-Takes" attitude, a commitment to high expectations, and a deep responsibility for each student's progress. Teachers will be expected to model virtues at all times and may be asked to assist in areas outside their normal job duties to ensure the overall success of Stepstone Academy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and equivalent knowledge in teaching.
Minimum of a Provisional Ohio Teaching License required.
Proven record of success in the classroom.
English writing, reading, and speaking skills required.
Cultural competency and the ability to teach and work with students and families of varying religions, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a non-judgmental, supportive manner.
Specialized knowledge of the lives and learning styles of the urban child, first-hand experiences in urban schools, and an understanding of the community from which the child comes.
Confident in teaching, communication, and presentation abilities.
Energetic and enthusiastic about teaching and the prospect of helping students reach their fullest potential.
Ohio and FBI criminal background check required and must pass the minimum requirements per the State Department of Education.

Nice To Haves

Teaching experience in an urban public or charter school setting is highly preferred.
Public speaking experience with children and/or adults required.
Demonstrates compassion and ability to make connections with students and families.
Demonstrates culturally competency and ability to relate to individuals with various ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds and socio-economic status.
Advocates for and provides emotional support to individual children and families based on issues related to poverty, social problems, dysfunctional families, violence, stressors outside of school, lack of parent involvement, etc.
Demonstrates the ability to bring their lessons and material to life, engaging students and extending thinking.
Demonstrates the ability to differentiate instruction addressing a wide variety of intellectual and academic needs.
Demonstrates the ability to assess students through utilizing data to inform instruction.
Possesses an exceptional level of professionalism, intellectual curiosity, ambition and goal oriented drive.
Excitement to learn and grow as a teacher and a leader and continually works to improve ability to do both.
Highly knowledgeable about content area theory and best practices.
Possesses intellectual curiosity by keeping abreast of changes in their fields.

Responsibilities

Develop and communicate timelines related to the common core.
Develop creative curriculum incorporating technology and opportunities for stretch assignments.
Design and implement lessons and activities that guide students towards meeting and exceeding academic standards.
Bring lessons and material to life, engaging students and extending thinking.
Differentiate instruction to address a wide variety of intellectual and academic needs.
Assess students and utilize data to inform instruction.
Implement curriculum to provide life context to lessons.
Focus on what students should know and be able to do to reach or exceed Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).
Create a positive, structured atmosphere for students.
Conduct daily instruction, student assessment, and portfolio development.
Set, communicate, and maintain high expectations and a deep responsibility for each student’s progress.
Manage student conduct through consistent expectations and organize subject matter for engagement.
Maintain student attendance and manage transient student populations and changing room dynamics.
Respond appropriately, maintain composure, and possess professional demeanor at all times.
Collaborate creatively through parent-teacher relations and interface with the school’s educational support service specialist.
Share ideas and responsibilities with colleagues.
Provide and accept support and encouragement from colleagues.
Work towards the values, virtues, mission, and success of the whole through a "What-Ever-It-Takes" attitude.
Use every moment of every day for instruction, academic and personal, in and out of the classroom.
Model virtues at all times with students, parents/guardians, colleagues, and community contacts.
Examine oneself personally and professionally.
Encourage students to grow as human beings and develop academically.
Learn and grow as a teacher and leader, continually improving abilities.
Assist in areas outside normal job duties with students outside the normal classroom in an effort to ensure the overall success of Stepstone Academy.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
May be involved in planning, organization, and implementation of special events, department-specific projects, or seasonal program changes.