Licensed Prek Teacher

Description:

Sign on bonus of up to $13,000! $2,000 contingent on joining the team by 6/1!

The Licensed PreK teacher is responsible for developing a nurturing, loving, safe, and educational space for children of all abilities ages 4 & 5 years old.

Licensed PreK TeacherSCHEDULEIS NEGOTIABLE: Full Time (30-40 Hours per week) and Part Time (4 Hours per day during the school year) are acceptable schedules and can be adapted to meet the needs of the successful applicant.

Licensed PreK teachers must hold a valid license from Iowa. Please see the minimum licensing requirements below for more information. Scholarships available if needed to move from a conditional license.

Benefits for Licensed PreK Teacher can include: PTO, 401K, 10 Paid Holidays, Health, Dental, Vision Insurance.

Application window through 5/5/23. Start date negotiable 6/1/23 to 8/7/23.

Salary $19+/Hr

In addition to responsibility of direct care of the children at Hand in Hand in Bettendorf, the Licensed PreK Teacher develops weekly lesson plans utilizing Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum®, leads student assessments using GOLD®, facilitates on-going and two-way communication with families (to include annual home visits, parent/teacher conferences, family nights, and daily communication), adapts activities to meet the individuals needs and interests of children, and oversees classroom management.

This individual leads PreK co-teachers and PreK aides to ensure program quality and develop the full child – cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Teaching is performed in a Hand in Hand inclusive indoor and outdoor classroom, offering the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program in partnership with Pleasant Valley School District as part of a full day of care.

Licensed PreK Teacher Job Requirements:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all children at all times:

• Ensure constant visual and auditory supervision of all children.
• Ensure sanitary procedures are followed by all children and adults. This includes hand washing procedures, blood borne pathogen training and practices, diapering procedures, and soiled clothing practices.
• Immediately report all suspected cases of child abuse according to state Mandatory Reporting requirements

Develop and implement a daily schedule with flexible, consistent routines and planned transitions.

• Always demonstrate respect for children, communicating with empathy and compassion at their level and near the child.
• Meet all personal care needs of assigned children of all abilities which can include diapering, catheterization, g-tube feeding.
• Ensure constant compliance with state and agency stated child to care provider ratios.

Develop an inclusive, nurturing, safe and engaging space to promote early learning and development:

• Create a neat, organized, engaging, and safe room arrangement with defined learning centers such as blocks, dramatic play, math, science, creative arts, language and literacy, music and movement, sensory plan, and table manipulatives.
• Develop a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to promote feelings of security, safety and belonging.
• Monitor classroom supplies and regularly communicate needs to Program Director.
• Complete daily housekeeping tasks including laundry, dishwashing, floor mopping, sweeping and the general cleaning of surfaces.

Develop engaging lesson plans and learning activities that meet state of Iowa Early Learning standards and:

• Foster creativity, inquiry and encourages children to lead the development and learning process.
• Utilize Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum to encourage the development of a child's thinking, reasoning, decision making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Incorporate a wide variety of learning experiences, materials, equipment, and instructional strategies.
• Celebrates each child's unique culture and abilities while fostering empathetic interactions with diverse individuals.

Facilitate connection and strong communication:

• Develop professional relationships with children, parents, volunteers, and other members of the community.
• Facilitate regular and positive communication with caregivers utilizing formal and informal communication methods approved by the agency.
• Serve as a support person and advocate for families.

Assess children's strengths, progress, and development using GOLD®. Ensure the shared results are of benefit to and supportive of individual children's learning and development, are used to adjust the curriculum, used to make program improvements, and used to communicate with parents/guardians regarding children's progress.

Accurately and fully complete all necessary paperwork and reports before the end of each shift.

Observe other staff and volunteers in the classroom to ensure they consistently exceed standards.

Complete all annual required training.

Become knowledgeable of all services provided by Hand in Hand to promote our programs in the community.

Minimum Qualifications

Preschool teachers must hold a valid practitioner's license issued by the Board of Educational Examiners under Iowa Code chapter 272 and hold endorsement from the Board of Educational Examiners that includes prekindergarten. Appropriate teaching endorsements are:

• Teacher Endorsement #100 -- Prekindergarten through grade three, including special education;
• Teacher Endorsement #103 – Prekindergarten through kindergarten;
• Teacher Endorsement #106 – Prekindergarten through grade three;
• Teacher Endorsement #1001 – Birth through grade three inclusive settings.
• A Class B conditional license is also an appropriate license if it is for Birth through grade three inclusive settings or PK-K.
• If teachers do not hold one of these endorsements, they should apply to BOEE for a conditional license.

• Certified in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa's mandatory reporting of abuse (Hand in Hand will coordinate courses for certification if not yet obtained)
• Experience working with children of all abilities
• Knowledge of the State of Iowa Childcare licensing rules and regulations.
• Enthusiasm and desire to positively impact the lives of young children
• Experience using behavior modification techniques.
• Compassion and enthusiasm for creating and leading inclusive programs.
• Experience and competency with Microsoft Office software and other basic computer applications.

Bonus structure made up of Iowa WAGE$, DHS Recruitment and Retention Funds, and Hand in Hand sign on funds and paid out over 6-12 months. Total dependent on education attainment, working at least 20 hours per week, and staying in position for at least 6 months. Some programs are renewable annually dependent on available funds and state policy.

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