Preschool Teacher

Company Description

For more than 129 years, the mission of BKS has been to provide children from families who are low-income with access to a high quality education in a nurturing environment – an environment that cultivates their curiosity and extends the skills they need to succeed well beyond school. As a matter of compassion, justice, and solid public policy, BKS believes that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

We also believe in a work and learning environment based upon mutual trust and collaboration. That spirit of trust extends from the Executive Director and Board of Directors through to the staff, teachers, children, and families of BKS, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility between all stakeholders.

Children at BKS receive full-day educational classes with age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula and enrichment programs such as Spanish language music class, dance, the visual arts, and soccer. Beyond educational excellence, BKS also provides family services and support throughout the year. Our Early Learn centers are open 12 months a year, 10 hours a day.

BKS early childhood learning centers are located in public housing in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Brownsville, and Historic Weeksville Gardens. Each year our centers serve nearly 400 children and their families. New York City relies heavily on organizations like BKS to make wider access to early childhood education available through Pre-K For All and 3-K For All.

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE 

The Preschool Teacher is the head of the classroom and is responsible for implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as well as divvying out classroom related work to the Assistant Teacher and Teacher’s Aide. Group Teachers should be able to work collaboratively with colleagues, supervisor, and families to ensure quality education.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Assist in the direction of a class of students (maybe mixed age) through daily activities

• Communicates with families about children’s progress and work

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Program Implementation (50%)

Planning (25%)

• Understand the goals, objectives, and vision of BKS

• Understand the goals and objectives of the curriculum

• Plan well-designed lessons that are aligned with the current units of study and culturally relevant pedagogy.

• Implement units of study and lesson plans in a thoughtful and intentional manner

• Identify goals for children 

• Identify what staff and parents can do to help children achieve these goals

• Identify classroom materials needed to support the implementation of the curriculum towards achieving goals. 

Program Implementation (25%)

• Provide positive guidance for children

• Implement daily lesson plans.

• Lead various small group and center activities 

• Delegate various academic and classroom-based responsibilities to assistant teacher and teacher aides.

• Understand individual student goals and connect those goals to academic activities. 

• Work with small groups of children to reinforce lessons, providing one-on-one instruction to students and supervising students in the classroom.

• Create a warm and welcoming environment that includes a print-rich, and culturally responsive culture. 

Additional Educational and non Educational Duties (35%)

• Assessment System (15%)

  • Complete and maintain observations and other running records

  • Navigate Teaching Strategies GOLD online (assessment system).

• Supervision (10%) 

  • Provide consistent supervision that takes into account developmentally appropriate activities and health needs of the group and individual child.

• Relationship Building (5%)

  • Foster relationships with key stakeholders e.g., other teachers, family workers/social workers, parents and guardians for the purposes of school readiness.

• Promoting professional growth (5%)

  • Assume responsibility for professional performance and self-reflection

Other (15%) 

• Fulfill roles as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Polices.

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions, and workshops as assigned.

• Perform any other work-related duties necessary to the smooth functioning of the center as requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Required, Master’s Degree or working towards preferred, NYS Professional ECE Certification (Birth-Grade 2) OR Valid NYS Permanent Certification B-2 or N-6, highly preferred

• Minimum of 2 years' experience working with children ages 2-4 years old

• A 2.5 minimum culminate undergraduate GPA

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Masters preferred

• Experience working with low-income populations and diverse cultures.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.