Tea Sprouts Preschool Teacher/Director (start Fall 2026)

JOB TITLE:                                       Tea Sprouts Preschool Teacher/Director
JOB SUMMARY:                           Position is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of the Tea Sprouts Preschool Program while creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool students. The position is responsible for planning and delivering instruction that supports the academic, social, emotional, and developmental growth of young children; establishing effective relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners; managing program operations, enrollment, budgeting, and communications; and ensuring the preschool program operates in accordance with District policies, program goals, and all applicable regulations.
EMPLOYEE CATEGORY:             Support Services

FLSA STATUS:                                ?Exempt       ?Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK:    None

WORK PERIOD:                             As defined by contract and school district calendar
REPORTS TO:                                 Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Staff Development

WORKS WITH:                               Administrators, support staff, classified staff
 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION LEVEL:                      Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, or a related field. Preference may be given to candidates with coursework, training, or experience in preschool program administration, child development, and early childhood education.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION:      Current, valid South Dakota teaching certificate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:      Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use phone and computer; see and read computer screen and printed material with or without visual aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on phone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and, to bend, stoop, sit on floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:      Usually works indoors in classroom environment.  Teaching, student supervision, bus/recess duty, or field trips may be performed outdoors or away from school.

TEA AREA BEHAVIORS OF EXCELLENCE:

1.       Ability to embrace the organization’s mission.

2.       Be responsible and follow through with important actions.

3.       Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

4.       Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy at all times.

5.       Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

6.       Work together in a supportive manner by being dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

7.       Take personal ownership to improve.

8.       Communicate with sincerity, honesty and respect.

9.       Maintain a high degree of professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Creates and maintains a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate preschool environment that supports the learning, growth, and well-being of all students.

2.       Develops and implements early childhood and family education programming opportunities.

3.       Plans, prepares, and implements developmentally appropriate lessons and learning activities aligned with program goals and the developmental needs of individual students.

4.       Maintains written evidence of preparation, submits lesson plans as required, prepares instructional materials, and delegates appropriate tasks to paraprofessional.

5.       Employs instructional methods, materials, and activities that promote student engagement, learning, and developmental growth.

6.       Interact positively with students daily and assist children with developmental, social, emotional, behavioral, and self-help skills as appropriate.

7.       Maintains developmentally appropriate supervision and discipline practices in the classroom, gymnasium, playground, and during all preschool activities.

8.       Ensures accurate daily student attendance and maintains procedures for checking students in and out of the program facility.

9.       Assesses student growth and developmental progress and communicates student achievements, needs, and developmental milestones with parents and guardians.

10.   Communicates regularly and professionally with parents and guardians through conferences, newsletters, emails, phone calls, meetings, and other appropriate methods.

11.   Conducts parent-teacher conferences a minimum of two times per school year and schedules additional meetings as needed to support student success.

12.   Attends and participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and other student support meetings as required and collaborates effectively with District staff and outside agencies.

13.   Maintains accurate student, program, financial, and operational records as required by law, District policy, and administrative procedures.

14.   Maintains classroom resources, instructional materials, manipulatives, and learning spaces to ensure a clean, organized, and engaging environment.

15.   Utilizes technology and maintains program communication platforms, including websites and other communication tools, to provide timely information to families.

16.   Coordinates and oversees program activities and special events, including open houses, winter student programs for each class, graduation ceremonies, and other family engagement opportunities.

17.   Manages student enrollment, registration, and class placement procedures while monitoring enrollment levels and class sizes in collaboration with the Superintendent or other appropriate administrator.

18.   Coordinates transportation arrangements and other logistical needs to ensure student participation and access to the preschool program.

19.   Develops and administers annual program budgets in collaboration with Business Office and other appropriate administrators and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.

20.   Purchases instructional materials, supplies, and equipment in accordance with District purchasing procedures and approved budget allocations.

21.   Collects, records, and submits tuition, transportation fees, and other program revenues to the District Business Office and maintains accurate financial records.

22.   Prepares and presents financial, enrollment, and program updates to the Tea Sprouts Preschool Advisory Committee and District administration, as requested.

23.   Promotes and markets the preschool program through enrollment campaigns, advertising, community outreach, and family engagement efforts.

24.   Coordinates vendor and service-provider relationships, including student photography and other program-related services.

25.   Coordinates any potential fundraising opportunities through the TASD Fundraising procedures in collaboration with appropriate administrators.

26.   Responds promptly and professionally to inquiries regarding students, enrollment, and program operations.

27.   Maintains strict confidentiality regarding students, families, staff, financial records, and program operations in accordance with District policy and applicable laws.

28.   Participates in TASD Professional Development, continues professional growth and maintains all required certifications, trainings, and compliance requirements.

29.   Works collaboratively with administrators, staff, families, community partners, and advisory committees to support the mission and goals of the preschool program.

30.   Adheres to the standards outlined in the South Dakota Code of Ethics for Educators and the policies of the District.

31.   Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or other appropriate administrator.

DISCLAIMER:      The preceding description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required.  These may be changed, added or deleted at any time with or without notice.  Personnel may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities if needed.  The Tea Area School District reserves the right to revise this description at any time.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Salary : $53,000 - $64,910