Pre-kindergarten Teacher

Grace Christian Academy•Kankakee, IL

1d•$27,000 - $32,000

About The Position

This full-time pre-kindergarten teacher is responsible for providing classroom instruction and educating students in a structured early learning environment that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. Our pre-kindergarten program is a step above preschool and serves as a foundational year, preparing students for the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual expectations of kindergarten. The teacher must be able to instruct in early literacy, foundational math, fine and gross motor development, and school-readiness skills through engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans. In addition to preparing students academically, the teacher’s role is to help students begin developing a biblical worldview in all areas of curriculum and to nurture the spiritual, social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. The duties of the Christian school teacher can be both rewarding and challenging. Classroom sizes are often smaller and more easily managed. However, the workload is heavier because the teacher is responsible for intentionally laying the groundwork that will support the kindergarten teacher in the following year. Ultimately, this extra work is worthwhile because teaching in a Christian classroom allows the teacher the freedom to address the holistic needs of the child (i.e., spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field required.
Strong computer skills, including Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, etc.)
Good communication skills and professional personal presentation.
Must be able to manage sensitive developments regarding staff and students.
Ability to organize and plan a variety of duties simultaneously.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
Ability to provide specific attention to detail.
Ability to be flexible and customer-oriented.
Be a committed Christian with a passion for promoting Christian education and in full agreement and support of the school’s Statement of Faith.
The Teacher must be one who has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and shall be a member in good standing in a church of like faith and practice.
The teacher shall be a person with spiritual, academic, and leadership abilities.
The teacher shall reflect the school's purpose of honoring Christ in every class and activity.
The Teacher shall be a college graduate evaluated by the administration to be capable of giving effective instruction to pre-kindergarten students and called of God to the Christian school teaching profession.
The teacher must seek and maintain certification with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Nice To Haves

Early Childhood endorsement or coursework in child development preferred.
Previous experience teaching pre-kindergarten, preschool, or early elementary students preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates knowledge and skills relevant to early literacy, pre-writing, phonemic awareness, number sense, counting, patterns, and foundational academic concepts.
Effectively addresses kindergarten-readiness standards and school expectations.
Understands the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development of four- and five-year-old students.
Provides activities that strengthen fine motor, gross motor, listening, and independent work skills necessary for success in kindergarten.
Design instruction based upon knowledge of child development, readiness goals, and curriculum standards.
Collaborates with preschool and kindergarten teachers to align curriculum, instructional practices, and kindergarten readiness expectations.
Identifies and plans for the instructional and developmental needs of all students, including those needing additional support or enrichment.
Demonstrates the ability to evaluate and refine existing materials and to create new materials when necessary.
Uses hands-on materials, learning centers, play-based instruction, technology, and resources to provide learning experiences that challenge, motivate, and actively involve the learner.
Demonstrates ability to engage and maintain students’ attention and to recapture or refocus it as necessary.
Maintains records of sufficient assessment data to support accurate reporting of student development and kindergarten readiness.
Re-teaches material and/or provides additional support based on assessment and observation.
Gathers and analyzes data on student growth through informal assessments, readiness benchmarks, and performance tasks.
Initiates communication and responds to families concerning student progress or concerns in a timely and confidential manner.
Promotes a climate of trust, cooperation, and teamwork within the classroom.
Establishes and maintains effective classroom rules and procedures and communicates them clearly to students and families.
Maintains a clean, organized, and well-ordered classroom conducive to learning and exploration.
Accepts a shared responsibility for extra-curricular activities as assigned.