Preschool Teacher - (Rio Rico)

Child-Parent Centers, Inc.•Rio Rico, AZ

16d•$17 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Child-Parent Centers (CPC) seeks an experienced early childhood professional to partner with the classroom team in providing comprehensive, high-quality early education and child development services for 17–20 preschool-aged children. The teacher supports children’s cognitive, social, health, and emotional growth through daily routines and implementation of the agency’s Languages of Learning curriculum. The role emphasizes a safe, enriching environment; responsive teacher-child interactions; and respectful partnerships with families that value their strengths, cultures, and contributions. The teacher receives ongoing support from the Lead Teacher and education specialist (coach) and may serve as Lead Teacher when that person is absent or out of the classroom. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, during an extended year from mid-July through mid-June. The approximate day shift is 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Teachers work directly with children for 6.75 hours per day on four days of the week. When children are not in class, the teacher plans lessons, documents children’s work and outcomes, enters and analyzes child and family data, sets goals, and participates in professional development. The position also involves family engagement, recordkeeping, teamwork, and maintaining children’s safety and confidentiality. The role is based at the Rio Rico Head Start in Rio Rico, Arizona, with in-town travel and possible travel to other sites. The work environment includes indoor, temperature-controlled classrooms and outdoor playgrounds, with possible exposure to hot and cold conditions, communicable illness, blood-borne pathogens, and cleaning and sanitizing chemicals. Physical demands include frequent stooping, bending, reaching, moving quickly, and getting up and down from the floor or low chairs; lifting children weighing 30–40 pounds; and occasionally handling supplies, pushing or pulling furniture weighing 20–50 pounds, and lifting approximately 50 pounds.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have an associate degree from a recognized institution in Early Childhood Education, or an associate degree in a listed related field with at least 18 credits in early childhood education or child development coursework.
Have two years of documented work experience with preschool children.
Have one year of documented supervisory experience.
Possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and an excellent driving record.
Demonstrate proficiency with Office 365, including Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Submit a current Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card before the start date and maintain the card and a clear annual DES Centralized Background Check.
Pass a company-paid physical exam and DES Centralized Background Check before starting work.
Be able to travel to and from various sites as needed.
Provide proof of MMR and adult Tdap immunizations and a clear tuberculosis self-assessment.
Provide appropriate documents proving authorization to work in the United States for the Federal I-9 form.
Possess, or be able to obtain and maintain, current First Aid and CPR certification that includes infants and children.
Obtain the State of Arizona Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handlers Certification within one month of employment.
Demonstrate accountability and dependability, valuing diversity, safety focus, listening, creative and innovative thinking, relationship-building, teamwork, self-management, adaptability and flexibility, continual learning, and technology skills.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in Early Childhood Education or a listed related program, with at least 18 credits in early childhood education or child development coursework.
Five years of work or volunteer experience with groups or individuals from varied ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, or with Head Start.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish.

Responsibilities

Implement the Languages of Learning curriculum and provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for preschool children.
Create and maintain a healthy, clean, safe, and enriching classroom environment; follow universal precautions and supervise children at all times.
Develop and use child supervision, child count, and active supervision systems, and teach children basic health and safety practices.
Set learning goals and plan experiences tailored to each child’s temperament, interests, culture, language, abilities, and development, collaborating with families and specialists.
Design indoor and outdoor environments that encourage children’s exploration, creativity, and development across learning domains, and use appropriate materials to support skill acquisition.
Reflect children’s cultures, families, and communities in classroom materials and learning centers.
Use information from family interactions, home visits, and parent-teacher conferences to inform classroom routines and interactions; support families in extending learning at home.
Support children learning English and promote language, literacy, emergent writing, mathematics, science, music, creativity, and social understanding through planned and everyday experiences.
Engage families as partners in children’s development, support family goals and parent-child relationships, share information and learning opportunities, and help connect families with community resources when needed.
Monitor children’s observations, screenings, assessments, and progress; document learning and coordinate with families, classroom staff, and specialists, including in relation to IEP goals and referrals.
Enter accurate and timely information in child information systems such as SmartTeach and/or ChildPlus, and maintain complete, objective, timely, and organized child and family records.
Participate in at least two parent conferences and two home visits during the program year.
Report unsupervised-child incidents to the supervisor and appropriate people with a need to know.
Participate in center meetings, activity planning, program improvement, transdisciplinary teamwork, child transitions, recruitment and enrollment of eligible Head Start families, and training or supervision of classroom volunteers.
Act as Lead Teacher in the Lead Teacher’s absence and guide classroom activities; participate in rotating bus-monitor duties for applicable bus runs.
Set professional growth goals, seek feedback, participate in planned supervision meetings, and pursue professional development and required certifications.
Model the agency’s mission, vision, and philosophy; maintain professional relationships, attendance, confidentiality, and accountability; use agency systems and communication practices; and act promptly to protect children’s safety.

Benefits

25 paid holidays.
Five days of paid vacation after one year, increasing to 10–13 days each year thereafter.
Five to eight days of paid personal leave during the first year, increasing to 8–11 days each year thereafter.
Up to five days of paid sick leave per year.
Dental insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Health Reimbursement Arrangements.
Health Savings Accounts.
PPO medical insurance with three plan options.
Vision insurance.
Supplemental life coverage for the employee, spouse, and child; employer-provided basic life and accidental death and disability coverage.
Supplemental critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance.
Pet insurance.
Retirement plan with agency contributions after service and hours eligibility criteria are met.
Employee 401(k) deferrals after eligibility requirements are met.
Professional growth opportunities and financial support, including support for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development.