POSITION TITLE:          Preschool Teacher I

Department:                  Catholic Schools

Grade:                            9

Supervisor:                    Preschool Director

Purpose and Scope

Under the general supervision of the preschool director, the preschool teacher strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education; assumes responsibility for leadership; works as a member of the preschool team; develops an appropriate learning and social environment; evaluates the needs of each student; assists in developing and supervising all area; evaluates and reports student progress; establishes positive school community relationships; continues professional development; mentors other teachers; chairs level meetings; serves on various committees, belongs to professional organizations; performs other job related tasks as deemed necessary and/or assigned by the director.

Essential Job Functions

1. Strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education

• shows evidence of the Catholic philosophy of education
• promotes Gospel values and Catholic moral teachings
• upholds the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church
• Exemplifies Catholic living both in and out of the classroom

1. Assumes responsibility for the leadership of the classes assigned

• demonstrates knowledge and understanding of effective teaching techniques and child development

• provides daily instruction and selects learning activities appropriate to the students’ needs

• establishes learning outcomes or educational objectives based on Diocesan Early Childhood Standards and reviews curriculum materials
• develops appropriate lesson plans and evaluates them daily 
• acts as a positive role model
• is adaptable and flexible in routine and unexpected situations
• uses good judgment in daily encounters

1. Works as a member of the preschool team

• attends staff meetings
• attends trainings as assigned by the director
• participates in parent activities

• maintains a professional attitude
• uses positive communication skills both in and out of the classroom

1. Develops an appropriate learning and social environment

• works toward the creation of a Catholic community within the classroom and the entire school community
• creates a room arrangement most appropriate to the educational objectives
• develops an environment that promotes learning and social interaction
• provides for the safety, welfare and care of the students while they are in school

1. Evaluates the needs of each student

• observes and records information on child’s development
• alters learning activities to meet specific needs
• refers students with suspected learning challenges to the Director

1. Assists in the development and supervision of all areas

• consults with the director and staff
• provides appropriate materials
• insures that the area is safe

1. Evaluates and reports student progress

• observes and maintains record of student’s progress regularly
• reports students’ progress to the director
• confers with parents as needed

1. Establishes positive school community relationships

• maintains cooperative relations with parents
• provides for regular conferences and meetings with parents
• cooperates with and helps promote all school programs
• maintains awareness of his/her role as a Catholic preschool teacher and its impact on the community

1. Continues professional development

• remains current with religious and academic standards
• keeps informed of current instructional practices through professional reading and educational opportunities
• participates in professional activities and joins appropriate professional organizations
• attends school and diocesan sponsored in-services and staff development opportunities

• attends and participates in school faculty meetings and in-services

1. Serves on various committees as assigned by the Director

1. Chairs level meetings

1. Performs any other job related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Must meet Ministry Formation Certification as required by Diocesan Policy
• If Catholic, willing to make a public Profession of Faith
• Ability to comply with the requirements specified in the Arizona Department of Health Daycare Licensing Regulations

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have four to five years of experience in preschool setting.

• Preference given to Catholic teachers
• Participated in Safe Environment Training and signed the Code of Ethics
• FBI Fingerprint Clearance completed