Preschool Teacher

Are you passionate about fostering the early development of young minds? The Preschool Teacher at the Louisville Recreation and Senior Center plays a key role in fostering the early development of children ages 3-5 through a play-based, exploration-focused program. This part-time position is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment that supports socialization, creativity, and foundational learning. Working collaboratively with co-teachers, the Preschool Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities, builds positive relationships with families, and ensures the safety and well-being of all participants. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young learners while contributing to a dynamic and supportive preschool program. The schedule is approximately 8 hours per week during the school year, with the possibility of substitute teaching in other classes, and no more than 29 hours per week. Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during the school year. Make a difference in the lives of young learners as we build a foundation for their future success! Create and sustain a balanced environment with predictable routines. Create and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans with co-teachers that align with a play-based philosophy, fostering exploration and hands-on learning. Lessons include literacy, math, and science. Look for teachable moments during class. Focus on age-appropriate topics such as sharing, taking turns, cleaning up, and taking direction from an adult other than parents. Work with children and families on home-to-school transitions. Handle parent interactions and build relationships with families. Manage inventory and purchasing of needed supplies. Ensure the safety of participants, staff, and equipment at all times. Design and implement developmentally appropriate lessons that align with a play-based philosophy, fostering exploration and hands-on learning. Guide children through free play, self-regulation activities, dramatic play, projects, manipulatives, socialization, and engaging circle time sessions. Create a positive and inclusive learning environment that promotes curiosity, collaboration, and respect among preschool-aged children. Incorporate a variety of teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles and abilities. Utilize effective classroom management techniques to ensure a safe and supportive space for every child. Infuse lessons with creativity by incorporating stories, songs, and dance to enhance the learning experience. Collaborate with fellow teachers and staff to create a cohesive and dynamic educational program.

ESSENTIAL SUPERVISORY DUTIES

None

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regular and predictable attendance required. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates with a current Early Childhood Teacher Certification through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood are preferred. Qualifications can be found on the Colorado Department of Early Childhood website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJKN54VTC_-8MIX4yLIkbem9ImoVDGlO/view

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices, classroom management, guidance, family relations, social-emotional development, and maintaining a healthy and safe environment. Relevant experience working with preschool-aged children. Strong verbal and written communication skills, classroom management, lesson planning, customer service, and computer and internet skills required. Ability to provide leadership to class participants in a friendly and supportive manner appropriate for the age group. Ability to plan, organize, and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans. Ability to respond to emergency situations calmly and professionally. Ability to handle conflicts tactfully and effectively with the public and staff. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

LICENSE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATE

Current CPR, First Aid, and Universal Precautions certifications required, or the ability to obtain within 3 months of hire.

OTHER NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least 18 years of age. Selected candidates may be required to complete and pass a pre-placement physical, substance screen, and a background investigation prior to employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Preschool Teacher must be current for all immunizations routinely recommended for adults by their health care provider. Preschool Teacher must submit to the Recreation Center a medical statement, signed and dated by a licensed physician or other health care professional, verifying that they are in good mental, physical, and emotional health appropriate for the position for which they have been hired. This statement must be dated no more than 6 months prior to employment or within 30 days after the date of employment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to read, speak, sing and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands, fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. Candidate must have sufficient strength, agility, stamina and flexibility to move, lift or carry up to 20 lbs. frequently and 50 lbs. occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perceptions with or without corrective lenses. Job requires expressing ideas by spoken word and requires perception of speech or the nature of sounds in the air with or without hearing aids.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to occasionally high.

FLSA STATUS

Non-Exempt

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Louisville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The City of Louisville is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process and during employment. The Human Resources Director has been designated as the compliance coordinator for people with disabilities seeking employment and will provide reasonable accommodation for testing and employment to qualified applicants.