Kindergarten Teacher (The Hope Academy)

SUMMARY OF MAIN DUTIES:

Maintain a developmentally appropriate learning environment in a fully inclusive kindergarten classroom, so that all students meet academic and social success.

Essential Functions:

• Create a learning environment where children are stimulated and motivated to work to the best of their ability.
• Design and implement appropriate academic and social goals for all students.
• Implement curricula as determined and with fidelity
• Facilitate interactions among children that provide opportunities for cognitive, emotional and social development.
• Collaborate and co-teach with special education teacher in full inclusive classroom.
• Collaborate with other educators and specialists in the planning, adapting and teaching of the curriculum for all learners.
• Develop lesson plans, progress reports, and provide input for IEPs within specified timelines as directed.
• Assist in the development, implementation and revision of a standards-based curriculum that promotes active learning by providing a variety of developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Maintain data records on each student’s progress to inform practice and write accurate evaluations and/or progress reports.
• Collaborate with other staff to implement an inclusive educational/therapy model.
• Demonstrate positive guidance and behavior strategies such as redirection, modeling appropriate behavior and praise.
• Supervise and assign duties to the teacher assistant(s) so their work with the students is reflective of their individual needs of students and/or the needs of the program.
• Develop and manage classroom budget efficiently.
• Develop, implement, and maintain regular contact with families inclusive of conducting a home visit prior to the start of the school year and holding three meetings with parents throughout the year.
• Lead and participate in team/grade level meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

SKILLS

• Knowledge of best instructional practices including reader’s and writer’s workshop
• Knowledge of authentic assessment practices
• Classroom and behavior management skills
• Ability to relate and communicate sensitively to children & their families
• Ability to provide effective supervision and feedback to teacher assistants and others
• Flexibility
• Organizational skills including developing effective classroom schedule for learning, etc.
• Professionalism inside/outside school
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Communication skills
• Computer skills
• Physical ability to lift and transfer children as required

EXPERIENCE

• Extensive knowledge and expertise in Kindergarten Grade teaching, preferred
• Prior experience working with children with or without learning disabilities

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Elementary Education
• State of Rhode Island Early Elementary Education (Kindergarten) Teacher Certification
• Special Education Teacher Certificate preferred or willingness to obtain
• Trained in de-escalation/restraint and/or willingness to obtain
• Bilingual, Spanish/English preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment and physical requirements consistent with those of a typical school environment
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk continuously throughout the workday
• Bend, stoop, squat, push and pull (10-15% of the time)
• Kneel and reach above shoulder level occasionally (1-33% of the time)
• Utilize the Computer (20%) of the time and other office equipment
• Lift and carry students as well as transfer students from wheelchairs to equipment as required. Usually requires the ability to lift up to 100 pounds frequently with the assistance of another staff member or adaptive equipment; 50 pounds independently (67-100% of the time)
• Physically able to position physical/occupational therapy equipment, splints, etc. Ability to use various equipment (switches, cooking equipment, etc.)