Teacher - Pre-Kindergarten (SEI Endorsement) (SY26-27)

Position: Teacher Pre-Kindergarten (SEI Endorsement Required)

Position Type: Full-time    

Department: Elementary 

Location: Early Steps Preschool

Reports to: Principal        

Affiliation: WEA Unit A

Salary range: As determined by the Unit A WEA Salary Schedule

General Description:

Watertown Public Schools seeks an exceptional Pre-K Teacher with an SEI endorsement who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to join our community of teachers, learners, and leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers who desire to serve where their efforts matter.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain a highly structured, safe learning environment that supports preschoolers in developing and applying skills necessary to function successfully and with as much independence as possible in school
• Plan and teach lessons that are aligned with MA standards and differentiated to meet the needs of all students, special education and general education, including the use of appropriate accommodations and modifications.
• Create developmentally-appropriate, multi-sensory experiences for preschool students that enable all children to be actively engaged
• Establish strong working relationships with families that promote student growth by communicating clearly and concisely, both in oral and written form
• Experience with administering and interpreting formal and informal assessments, as well as strong interpretation and report writing skills
• Collect data to inform progress, instruction, modification,s and accommodations to be considered on Individual Education Plans [IEP] in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines
• Act as Liaison, complete academic testing, write IEP goals and objectives, complete progress notes and attend team meetings
• Collaborate with classroom support staff and related services personnel on an ongoing basis (e.g. BCBA, SLP, OT, ABA technicians)
• Perform duties with awareness of all district requirements, state and federal laws, and Watertown Public Schools policies
• Work with students of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner
• Maintain appropriate confidential records
• Assist students with self-help skills, including toileting and diapering
• React professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g,. environmental changes, behavior/aggression, etc.)
• Participate in ongoing professional and staff development
• Maintains a safe, organized classroom that supports students’ independent learning, collaboration, and choice
• Support the Instructional Assistant assigned to your classroom
• Other duties not specifically listed but required by building or district administration to enable the smooth operation of the school and the district's special education program

Core Competencies: Using the Massachusetts Model System for Educators Rubric, priority skills and abilities that all Watertown Public School teachers should possess:

Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment

(Subject Matter Knowledge, Well-Structured Lessons, Curriculum and Planning Indicator, Child and Adolescent Development)

• Demonstrates mastery of and enthusiasm for the content area and the pedagogy it requires
• Can convey a grasp of child development and how students learn
• Designs effective and rigorous standards-based units of instruction consisting of well-structured lessons with measurable outcomes.

Teaching All Students

(Meeting Diverse Needs, Student Engagement, Safe Learning Environment)

• Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate equitable, active student participation
• Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community
• Cultural Proficiency 
• Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected

Family and Community Engagement

(Parent/Family Engagement)

• Engages with families and builds collaborative, respectful relationships with them in service of student learning
• Professional Reflection & Collaboration 

Professional Culture

(Reflective Practice, Professional Collaboration)

• Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community.

Qualifications Required:

• Massachusetts Educator License Elementary grades PreK-2
• Certification in moderate Special Education (required)
• SEI Endorsement or licensure
• Degree in Early Childhood Education (required)
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

Preferred:

• Experience working with students with Autism (preferred)
• Experience with ABA and Behavior Plans (preferred) 

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.