Preschool Teacher

Anchorage School District; Baxter (MN); On-site; USD 61,454 - 88,919; Full time

Job summary

The Anchorage School District seeks a dedicated preschool teacher for Baxter Elementary, providing a flexible and supportive learning environment. You will deliver instruction appropriate to an early childhood level, build strong relationships with students, parents and staff, and adapt to enrollment and staffing changes as needed.

The role requires an Alaska teaching certificate and a commitment to instructional standards, with pay aligned to the AEA/DEED scale and DOE guidelines for work days

Qualifications

• A valid Alaska teaching certificate (initial, professional, or master) is required.
• Evidence of content knowledge via degree/minor in the content area, Praxis II scores, or endorsements.
• Minimum of six (6) semester credit hours in early childhood education.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Satisfactory criminal background check per ASD/DEED requirements.

Responsibilities

• Describe own educational philosophy and relate it to practice.
• Organize instruction time to balance curriculum, demonstrations, work time and assessment.
• Use current technology for instruction and record-keeping.
• Monitor and assess student learning and provide progress reports.
• Collaborate with parents, families and community to support student education.

Skills

Read and write in English

Communication with parents

Education

Alaska initial, professional, or master teaching certificate

Praxis Subject Assessments scores (elementary education)

Content area degree/minor or endorsement

Early childhood education coursework (6+ hours)

Job description

Location: BAXTER ELEMENTARY

FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE

Salary: B00/00 to B72/08 ($61,454 to $88,919), DOE

Job Summary

Preschool teachers create a flexible and supportive education program and class environment favorable to learning and personal growth. The teacher provides instruction at an appropriate grade level while establishing an effective rapport with students as well as parents and staff members. In accordance with each student's ability, teachers motivate students to develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to provide a good educational foundation. The teacher reports to and is evaluated by the site principal. This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale. Information on the pay scale can be found online on our Labor Relations Department website. This position's grade level, content area taught, and work site may change dependent upon student enrollment and district staffing needs. Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits.

Job Requirements

• A valid Alaska initial, professional, or masterteaching certificate.
• Evidence of content knowledge shown by:
  • posted degree in the content area of this position
  • posted minor in the content area of this position
  • passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of elementary education
  • certificate endorsement in the content area of this position
• A minimum of six (6) semester credit hours of early childhood education.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
• May be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER).

Essential Job Functions

• Can describe their philosophy of education and demonstrate its relationship to their practice.
• Understands how students learn and develop, and applies that knowledge in their practice.
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
• Organizes class time to provide a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, work time and assessment.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and— in harmony with the goals—establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Teaches students with respect for their individual and cultural characteristics.
• Knows the teacher's content area and how to teach it.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional material and provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils.
• Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Has the ability to use current technology to enhance instruction.
• Has the ability to use technology for record‑keeping and research.
• Applies knowledge of current research and theory to the instructional program.
• Facilitates, monitors, and assesses student learning.
• Evaluates pupils' academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports.
• Identifies pupil needs and makes appropriate referrals and develops strategies for individual education plans.
• Creates and maintains a learning environment in which all students are actively engaged and contributing members.
• Provides individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of the student.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Creates an environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of students' work.
• Supervises student environment, students, and volunteers.
• Works as a partner with parents, families, and the community.
• Communicates regularly with parents by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
• Participates in and contributes to the teaching profession.

Physical & Mental Demands

The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings. While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.