Preschool Teacher

St Joseph Catholic Academy; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-respected early childhood center in St. Joseph, MO is seeking a dedicated Preschool Teacher to provide quality care and education. The ideal candidate should have relevant qualifications, experience in preschool settings, and a commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. This role involves implementing developmentally appropriate practices and maintaining high standards for child care.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision plans

STD/LTD fully paid by employer

403b retirement plan and defined benefit pension plan

Generous Vacation and Sick leaves along with paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in a preschool facility preferred.
• Must demonstrate professional conduct and follow NAEYC Code of Ethics.
• Ability to manage physical and mental demands of the role.

Responsibilities

• Provides quality care and education for preschool children.
• Supervises children and promotes positive peer interactions.
• Implements High Scope Curriculum and attends required trainings.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Patience

Education

Infant/Toddler Development Associate or NAEYC equivalent

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood (in process)

Job description

Description

St. Gianna Early Childhood Center in St. Joseph, MO is seeking a Preschool teacher.

Job Summary

Provides quality care and education for children enrolled in the program by offering developmentally appropriate in a safe, loving, and respectful environment.

Requirements

1. Greets parents and children warmly, sharing information in an appropriate, professional manner.

2. Follows health and safety regulations during meal times and diapering, using these as learning times. Works with parents when adding new foods and beginning potty training. Washes own hands and children’s hands frequently, especially before and after meals and after diapering.

3. Practices respectful caregiving, encourages positive peer interactions, talks to and listens to children, responding warmly both physically and verbally.

4. Supervises children in a manner that reduces behavior issues, providing activities that prevent boredom. Uses Conscious Discipline techniques effectively.

5. Works with other staff, planning, sharing information and duties in a positive and warm manner.

6. Arranges the classroom in a manner that provides space for quiet, protected play away from active play. Displays photos, art, etc. at children’s level. Equipment is rotated monthly.

7. Provides art, music, eye hand coordination, blocks, pretend play, math, science, and sand/water play often and discusses activities with children. Activities and displays foster cultural awareness.

8. Arranges age appropriate daily schedule based on needs of children. Uses appropriate transitions to eliminate waiting.

9. Uses language to encourage communication and develop reasoning skills. Helps children interact positively in all situations.

10. Conducts both small group and large group times using developmentally appropriate activities in the appropriate amount of time.

11. Implements High Scope Curriculum, as well as attend any training regarding the program.

12. Meets and maintains standards for Missouri State Licensing and NAEYC Accreditation Criteria.

13. Ensures delivery of IEP goals on child’s individual IEP form.

14. Attends a minimum of 12 clock hours of training per year including CPR and First Aid, Child Abuse and Neglect, Safe Sleep, and other topics mandated by the state. Also completes monthly, online VIRTUS training articles as assigned by the Diocese

15. Attends family nights, assisting in the planning and implementation of activities.

16. Administers medications per parents’ instructions on Authorization to Administer Medication form.

17. Documents all meals, naps, medications, and any other pertinent information on child’s daily sheet for parents’ information at pick up.

18. Washes and sanitizes toys and equipment daily.

19. Attends to laundry and dishes daily.

20. Follows parent instructions for the daily care of the children.

21. Supervises all teachers in the classroom, being responsible for all activities in the room regardless of presence (For example, lessons planned for vacation time, ensuring teachers and floaters know what is to be done in lead teacher’s absence).

22. Demonstrates professional conduct and standards, following NAEYC Code of Ethics.

Job Specifications

1. Education – Infant/Toddler Development Associate or NAEYC equivalent. Staff assuming the position of lead teacher must be in the process of earning their Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood, taking at least one class per semester.

2. Experience – Two (2) years’ experience in a preschool facility preferred.

3. Essential Technical/Motor Skills – Ability to read a thermometer, use a microwave.

4. Interpersonal Skills – Ability to work cooperatively with all individuals involved in program, including staff, parents, and volunteers to ensure a professional, effective program.

5. Essential Physical Requirement – Ability to sit/stand in various positions both on the floor and upright, to move children weighing 7 – 50 pounds, to ascend and descend stairs, to pass a TB test and state required physical exam, to withstand stress of an active day. Ability to position self to access both upper and lower shelves, cabinets, etc. Ability to withstand various weather conditions in order to work outdoors for short time periods.

6. Essential Mental Abilities – Patience and understanding, ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats, to anticipate and prevent children’s accidents, ability to react quickly and appropriately in emergency situations, ability to a complete a routine of tasks without constant supervision.

7. Essential Sensory Requirements – Ability to observe activities of infants and toddlers and hear their cries for attention.

8. Exposure to Hazards – Exposure to childhood diseases, cleaning chemicals, possible exposure to blood and other infectious material as defined by OSHA.

9. Other – 18 years of age. Pass a criminal record review completed by the Family Care Safety Registry and FBI Fingerprinting.

St. Gianna offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, STD/LTD fully paid by the employer, retirement plans including a 403b plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Paid time off includes generous Vacation and Sick leaves, plus paid Holidays.

Note: All employees are required to consent to a background check, commit to our Code of Conduct policy, and complete online and in-person trainings prior to hire.