Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Hamilton County Schools•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

Pending approval of the FY27 CFA by TDOE and HCS Board. The purpose of this classification is to provide implement pre-kindergarten program and class environment favorable to learning and personal growth of students; to motivate students to develop communication abilities, attitudes, skills and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for further participation in the total school program. Calvin Donaldson Elementary is a Pre-K-5th grade school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At Donaldson, we believe that every child deserves a champion! Our mission is to engage students through intentional relationships, equip them to become lifelong learners and empower them to reach their full potential. We will accomplish this through ensuring that every student demonstrates measurable growth in academics and social-emotional learning. Decisions are collaborative and student-centered, and we operate with grace, assuming the best of intentions on behalf of all stakeholders when supporting students. We speak to be understood and listen to understand while seeking solutions to all problems and challenges. Relationships define us and drive our success - we strive to take care of our Donaldson family! Will you join us as a champion for our children? See our recruitment video here! Learn more about Donaldson at CDETigers on Instagram or at our school website cde.hcde.org or about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field
Valid State of Tennessee teaching certificate with appropriate endorsement.
Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal effectively with students, educators, parents, and community members.
Ability to foster a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment.
Ability to work collaboratively with other educators and staff to support student learning.
Understanding of various instructional strategies to address different learning styles and needs.
Knowledge of formative and summative assessment methods to evaluate student progress.
Capability to identify issues and implement appropriate solutions to enhance student outcomes.

Responsibilities

Maintains appropriate licensure and acknowledges that continued employment with the Hamilton County Department of Education is contingent upon providing required documentation to validate licensure and highly qualified status in a timely manner.
Read and follow the Tennessee State Board of Education Administered Child Care Rules, Scope of Services for Voluntary Pre-K Tennessee Programs, and the Hamilton County Department of Education Pre-K Handbook.
Follow the assigned curriculum and adhere to the pacing guide.
Ensure that students are signed in and out each day.
Provide learning experiences in language arts, physical education, art, music, health, and other subject matter suited to the needs of students.
Develop and use instructional materials suitable for verbal or visual instruction of students with a wide range of mental, physical, and emotional maturities.
Sit with pre-k students at all mealtimes and snack and provide active supervision throughout the school day.
Develop in each student an awareness of his or her worth as an individual and his or her role in the family and community.
Encourage students to express themselves creatively in art, music and dramatic play.
Provide individual and small group instruction designed to meet individual needs of students in communication skills, health habits, physical skills, and development of satisfactory self-concepts. Work with other support personnel or agencies to promote this goal.
Enrich educational program through study trips to community resources such as museums, parks, zoos, and through classroom visits by resource persons from the school and community. Share and interpret these experiences with students and parents.
Plan and coordinate the work of aides, assistants, parents, and volunteers in the classroom and on field trips in order to obtain the maximum benefit from their efforts.
Perform miscellaneous tasks as needed; check students for possible illness; administer basic first aid to sick/injured students.
Administer appropriate pre-k assessments based on district timelines. Monitors and assesses student progress in order to provide feedback on a regular basis to students, their parents, and administration.
Maintain accurate, complete and legible records as required by law and the school district.
Develop activities for parents, which promote parent participation and involvement in education activities provided for their children.
Communicate regularly with parents by means of parent meetings, newsletters, home visits, and individual student’s needs and the school’s role in the individual’s life.
Provide appropriate climate to establish and reinforce acceptable student behavior, attitudes, and social skills.
Cooperate with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude and learning problems.
Create an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of students’ work based on state guidelines.
Participates in faculty meetings, district professional development, educational conferences and other activities that promote professional growth and student achievement.
Participate in curriculum and other developmental programs as appropriate.
Implements district, state, and federal policies, regulations, and laws.
Maintains order in classroom, and in conjunction with administrative staff, administers discipline when necessary to achieve proper behavior. Manages student conduct and disciplinary issues in accordance with district, state, and federal guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Consults with professionals regarding learning disabilities, substance abuse, or social adjustment issues, and coordinates intervention decisions with parents. Maintains mandated reporting responsibilities for suspected abuse or neglect.
Documents student performance via district systems to ensure receiving school/teacher has necessary information for instructional continuity.
Communicates through the proper channels to keep appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
Shares responsibility with teachers and paraprofessionals for monitoring halls, study periods, lunchroom, bus duty, assemblies, field trips, and extracurricular activities.
Maintains accurate records and reports of academic performance, attendance, interventions, and social acclimation. Reports on all aspects of student development for school records and parents; conducts parent-teacher conferences on both a regularly scheduled and as-needed basis.
Plans and coordinates events, field trips, and community activities, including guest speakers and student enrichment programs. Sponsors student organizations and supervises other activities as needed, such as athletic gate monitoring.
Complies with accounting and financial policies and procedures involving the handling of money and property, as well as other Board policies.
May include providing general physical assistance to students with various disabilities. Tasks will involve, but are not limited to, assisting students with toileting/feeding/other self-help and behavioral needs.
Collaborates with teams to plan instruction, assess progress, and support IEP and 504 plan implementation.
Responds to emergencies and ensures student safety both on and off campus.
Participates in faculty meetings, professional development, educational conferences and other activities that promote professional growth and student achievement.
Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to schools, community, businesses, Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
Works collaboratively with all stakeholders.
Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
Maintains confidentiality.
Attends work and arrives to work on time.
Performs other related duties as assigned.