Teacher - Preschool

Archdiocese of St. Louis; Missouri; On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is seeking enthusiastic Early Childhood Teachers who can provide a safe and engaging educational environment for young children. Candidates need a Bachelor's or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, with certification preferred. Responsibilities include creating lesson plans, managing the classroom, and interacting positively with students.

This role involves collaborating closely with the Early Learning Center Director and supervising teacher aides, ensuring a nurturing atmosphere that promotes spiritual growth and development in children.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Certification in early childhood education is preferred.
• General knowledge of the Catholic Church and its sacraments.
• Obtain and maintain valid CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Good physical health confirmed by a physician’s statement.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement age-appropriate educational lesson plans.
• Provide engaging activities that promote exploration and problem-solving.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and stimulating classroom environment.
• Lead, guide, and train staff and volunteers.
• Interact positively with children to support their emotional needs.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Excellent time management

Organizational abilities

Patience

Empathy

Education

Bachelors or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

Certification in early childhood education

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google applications

School Information Systems

Job description

The Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Education and Formation features an expansive coalition of schools that allow our children to develop a sense of purpose and value, receive a higher quality education, join a welcoming community and feel secure in a dynamic future. We have a rich history, with its establishment 200 years ago by St. Rose Phillppine Duchesne. A coalition of schools serving over 50,000 students (PreK-12) within an 11-county area. The educational experience provided to our students and their families is rooted in a higher calling from God to honor and celebrate the gifts He has given us.

Job Summary

Early Childhood Teachers provide a stimulating, safe, and engaging educational environment that fosters the growth and development of young children. The teacher will create opportunities for children to cultivate cognitive, language, social-emotional, adaptive, and physical skills while ensuring that activities align with Archdiocese Unified Curriculum Standards. The ELC Teacher works closely with the Early Learning Center Director and takes a leadership role in supervising and supporting AELC teacher aides.

Job Responsibilities

• Curriculum Planning & Implementation: Create, organize, and provide age-appropriate educational lesson plans and implement curriculum standards to foster development across all areas (cognitive, language, social-emotional, adaptive, and physical).
• Child Centered Learning: Provide engaging activities that promote curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving, ensuring they align with developmental levels and learning styles of the children.
• Classroom Management: Plan and prepare the classroom setting to maintain a safe, clean, and stimulating environment. Oversee safety protocols and educational programs while fostering a supportive environment for appropriate individual and group discipline.
• Staff Supervision & Guidance: Lead, guide, and train staff, student employees, interns, and/or volunteers who assist in the classroom, providing ongoing support and oversight to ensure effective functioning.
• Positive Child Interactions: Interact with children in a warm, calm, and unhurried manner to support their emotional and developmental needs. Communicate with children in an effective and age-appropriate manner, including using an appropriate tone of voice.
• Parental & Peer Communication: Interact with parents with respect, maintain open communication, and encourage their involvement to support their child’s development. Collaborate effectively with co-workers, communicate respectfully with others, and address conflicts maturely.
• Confidentiality & Reporting: Uphold confidentiality in all interactions and record-keeping with children, parents, and co-workers. Write and compile individual assessments of each child’s development, complete daily inventories, attendance, and related reports.
• Health & Safety: Maintain a safe, clean, and pleasant environment, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring that the children’s physical, emotions, and social well-being is always prioritized. Ensure that the general health, nutrition, and safety of the children are maintained by keeping certifications up-to-date (CPR, First Aid) and following health guidelines.
• Christian Witness: Consistently use words and actions that clearly give witness to Gospel values and demonstrate living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Give witness to Catholic values and adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church through practices in life and work. Provide daily interactions and classroom practices to develop a faith-filled environment that nurtures the spiritual growth of children.
• Miscellaneous Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned by the Early Learning Center Director.
• Completion of the Archdiocese Safe Environment Program.

Job Requirements

• Bachelors or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Certification in early childhood education is preferred.
• General knowledge of the Catholic Church, Catholic sacraments, rites, and liturgies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and School Information Systems.
• Obtain and maintain current adult, child, and infant CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Good physical health, confirmed by a physician’s statement, with up-to-date immunizations.

Skills & Attitudes Required for Success in Job

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational abilities with a keen attention to detail.
• Patience, empathy, and the ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Relationships Requirements

• Ability to collaborate and support administration in program implementation and decision‑making.
• Ability to engage and work collaboratively with the pastor, parish office staff, school personnel, students, parents, and volunteers.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Education and Formation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.