Position Overview
Under the direction of the school principal, assistant principal, and the Office of Early Childhood Programs, Early Childhood educators plan and provide developmentally appropriate instruction and learning experiences that foster the success of all students.
Early Childhood educators provide an inclusive and welcoming learning environment conducive to developing academic, emotional, physical, and social knowledge, strategies, and skills. They facilitate the positive transition from early care settings to the school setting for students and families.
Responsibilities
- Plan and implement instructional programs that align with system-wide goals and priorities and meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students.
- Prepare, document, and effectively implement appropriate daily lesson plans for assigned classes, based on HCPSS curricula and aligned to the Understanding by Design framework.
- Develop and nurture a learning environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students.
- Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and learning outcomes.
- Establish learning objectives consistent with student needs, the HCPSS curriculum framework, and knowledge of student growth and development.
- Create a classroom environment that supports student engagement, promotes academic language development and student discourse, and enables each student to achieve academic success.
- Provide an instructional program that meets the needs of all students, including those with disabilities and English Learners, and refer students for appropriate specialized support as needed.
- Plan for and utilize instructional methods, accommodations, resources, and evaluation techniques that motivate and enable each student to achieve the applicable learning objectives.
- Provide input when necessary for student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and EL Accommodation Plans.
- Take all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, HCPSS policy, and administrative regulation.
- Assist administration in implementing all policies and rules governing conduct.
- Develop norms of classroom behavior and procedure and maintain order in the classroom fairly and justly.
- Communicate performance, successes, and opportunities for improvement to students and families, providing timely and meaningful feedback.
- Be available to students and families for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested.
- Plan and oversee purposeful assignments for paraeducators, student assistants, and/or classroom volunteers.
- Plan and collaborate with co‑teachers, including special education and ESOL educators, providing non‑evaluative input on paraeducator and student assistant job performance when requested.
- Establish relationships with administrators, curricular office staff, colleagues, students, families, and the school community that reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
- Appraise own effectiveness and demonstrate successful application of skills and knowledge to increase effectiveness.
- Participate in and share responsibility for the safe and orderly operation of schools, attending staff meetings, district professional learning events, and serving on staff committees when required or requested.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education.
- Meet Maryland State Department of Education licensure requirements for Early Childhood Education licensure.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three or more years of teaching experience.
Employment Information
- Ten‑month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit.
- Salary: Based on the 10‑Month HCEA Teacher Scale and adjusted for relevant prior experience.
- Exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Mandatory membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency pension plan with a 7% annual contribution.
- Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees as outlined in the negotiated agreement for this bargaining unit.
Pre‑Employment Requirements
- Professional references required from current and recent supervisors.
- Fingerprinting, criminal background investigation, and successful completion of the Maryland Employment History Review.
- Possibly a physical examination and/or drug testing, depending on the position.
- Provide identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States; participation in E‑Verify.
Equal Opportunity Employer
HCPSS is an equal opportunity employer. Our hiring decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.
To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.