Elementary Teacher ~ Kindergarten

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Kindergarten Teacher

LOCATION:  Thomas Paine Elementary School

SUPERVISOR:  Building Principal (and assistant principals)

JOB SUMMARY:  Under the general direction of the Principals or Assistant Principals, the teacher is responsible for helping students learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able, and responsible adults.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The successful intermediate teacher:

• Meets and instructs assigned classes, and fulfills supervision and other assigned duties, in the locations and designated times.
• Plans a program of study that implements the “Illinois Common Core Standards,” and to the extent practicable, addresses the students' individual needs, interests, and abilities.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor.
• Guides the learning process toward student achievement of curriculum goals and in harmony with the goals clearly communicates the objectives to the students for all their learning activities, such as lessons, units and projects.
• Responds to parent communication promptly and in a positive manner. In addition, provides progress reports as required and contacts parents and guardians when a student is at risk of not meeting significant goals in a timely manner.
• Encourages students to set and maintain appropriate standards of classroom and building behavior.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided, the Illinois Common Core Standards for technology, and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
• The physical environment should be organized and reflect academic and social emotional learning standards, as through the effective use of bulletin and white boards to post class agendas and schedules, learning goals, behavioral expectations and other relevant learning content and displays of student work.
• Strives to implement the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives through instruction and action.
• Assesses students' learning regularly, keeps records of specific progress individually and makes targeted instructional accommodations and responses, including presenting information and recommendations to the school RTI team.
• Collaborates with the Response to Intervention (RTI) team, Title 1, and Special Education staff to provide instructional and social support for students not making expected academic progress
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation in a timely manner.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, and for the classroom, using the school’s PBIS Framework, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom fairly and justly.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested under reasonable terms.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service activities as required.
• Serves on staff committees as required.
• Maintain professional relationships with students and faculty, follow the teaching profession's ethics, and promote students' welfare at all times.
• Some teachers may serve as department chairs, team leaders, and building curriculum coordinators.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, with certification and endorsements.

EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 years teaching students at the elementary level, except in the case of a new college graduate.  Must have taught lower-level elementary(K-2nd) or early childhood.

LICENSES/CREDENTIAL:  Valid Illinois Teaching Licensure with the appropriate endorsements to teach Kindergarten

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  

• Salary and Benefit information can be found on the Human Resources webpage.  There are many opportunities for employees to earn additional compensation (stipends, differentials, extra duty pay, etc.) during the regular school year and in the summer.
• This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
• This is an exempt position.
• Student Contact Days and other days stipulated on the work calendar in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. 

EVALUATION:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel.    

START DATE: School Year 2025-2026

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED: April 2025