Teacher - Pre-School/Early Childhood

Job Summary: This position is responsible for providing educational leadership through the Waterloo Community School District curriculum and to facilitate learning that challenges and supports all students in an equitable and safe environment and that meets Board Policy 102.0 (Educational Philosophy) and Board and building educational goals. This position delivers the curriculum selected by the district, congruent with the district-adopted curricula scope and sequence, in a manger congruent with district expectations for teaching strategies, approaches and methodologies. All criteria are Iowa Teaching Standards except for those denoted with an asterisk (*) which are Waterloo Community Schools criteria.

Hiring Specifications:

Education

• BA or higher, earned from an accredited college or university

Certification

• Certified to teach early childhood through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

Experience

• Good organizational skills
• Ability to accomplish tasks through the group process
• Demonstrated experience as a self-starter
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work effectively, cooperatively and respectfully with staff, parents and community members regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic/national origin, religion, marital status, age, socio-economic status or disability
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Knowledge of processes to address cultural diversity and associated issues related to student performance and instructional methodology
• Ability to recognize sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated record of commitment and sensitivity to affirmative action, equal opportunity and human rights

Technology Requirements

• Web navigation skills
• Word processing skills
• Computer network knowledge applicable to the position
• Videoconferencing skills (ICN)
• Scheduling
• Spreadsheet skills
• Electronic presentation skills
• Knowledge of computer-related storage devices
• Promethean Activboard – ability to learn and implement within first year of employment
• Ability to effectively use PDAs (personal digital assistants) for communication and
• Knowledge of educational copyright laws
• Knowledge of computer security expectations
• E-mail management skills

Supervision of Others:

• Para educators assisting in classroom
• Student teachers as necessary

Personal Contacts:

• Community members
• Volunteers
• All district personnel
• Students and families

Job Duties:

• Enhances academic performance and support for implementation of the school district’s student achievement goals.

a. Provides multiple forms of evidence of student learning and growth to students,
families and staff.
b. Implements strategies supporting students, building and district goals.
c. Uses student performance data as a guide for decision making.
d. Accepts and demonstrates responsibility for creating a classroom culture that supports
the learning of every student.
e. Creates an environment of mutual respect, rapport and fairness.
f. Participates in and contributes to a school culture that focuses on improved student
learning.
g. Communicates with students, families, colleagues and communities effectively and
accurately.

• Demonstrates competence in content knowledge appropriate to the teaching position.

a. Understands and uses key concepts, underlying themes, relationships and different
perspectives related to the content area.
b. Uses knowledge of student development to make learning experiences in the content
area meaningful and accessible for every student.
c. Relates ideas and information within and across content areas.
d. Understands and uses instructional strategies that are appropriate to the content area.

• Plans and prepares for instruction.

a. Uses student achievement data, local standards and the district curriculum in planning for instruction.

b. Sets and communicates high expectations for social, behavioral and academic success of all students.
c. Uses student’s developmental needs, background and interests in planning for
instruction.
d. Selects strategies to engage all students in learning.
e. Uses available resources, including technologies, in the development and sequencing of instruction.

• Uses strategies to deliver instruction that meet the multiple learning needs of students.

a. Aligns classroom instruction with local standards and district curriculum.
b. Uses research-based instructional strategies that address the full range of cognitive
levels.
c. Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness in adjusting instruction to meet student
needs.
d. Engages students in varied experiences that meet diverse needs and promote social,
emotional and academic growth.
e. Connects students’ prior knowledge, life experiences and interests in the instructional
process.
f. Uses available resources, including technologies, in the delivery of instruction.

• Uses a variety of methods to monitor student learning.

a. Aligns classroom assessment with instruction.
b. Communicates assessment criteria and standards to all students and parents.
c. Understands and uses the results of multiple assessments to guide planning and
instruction.
d. Guides students in goal setting and assessing their own learning.
e. Provides substantive, timely and constructive feedback to students and parents.
f. Works with other staff and building and district leadership in analysis of student
progress.

• Manages the classroom.

a. Creates a learning community that encourages positive social interaction, active
engagement and self-regulation for every student.
b. Establishes, communicates, models and maintains standards of responsible student
behavior.
c. Develops and implements classroom procedures and routines that support high
expectations for learning.
d. Uses instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.
e. Maintains an environment conducive to learning for students of all abilities with
sensitivity and responsibility to cultural diversity.*
f. Manages student behavior in accordance with administrative regulations and
guidelines, school board policies and legal requirements.*
g. Creates a safe and purposeful learning environment.

• Pursues professional growth.

a. Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
b. Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and student learning.

c. Applies research, knowledge and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
d. Establishes and implements professional development plans based on the teacher’s
needs aligned to the Iowa teaching standards and district/building student
achievement goals.
e. Provides an analysis of student learning and growth based on teacher-created tests and authentic measures as well as any standardized or district-wide tests.

• Fulfills professional responsibilities.

a. Adheres to board policies, regulations, district procedures and contractual obligations.
b. Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual
district policies and regulations.
c. Contributes to efforts to achieve district and building goals.
d. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.
e. Collaborates with students, families, colleagues and communities to enhance student
learning.
f. Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.*
g. Provides and maintains accurate records and information.*
h. Provides adequate plans and procedures for substitutes.*
i. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect equipment, materials and
facilities.*
j. Attends and participates in required district, department/program, building and parent
conference meetings as scheduled.*
k. Selects appropriate channels for resolving conflicts, concerns or problems.*
l. Dresses to promote a professional image so as not to disrupt the educational
environment.*

In addition to these responsibilities, teachers assigned to special federal and state programs or grants must abide by the federal legislation and the rules and regulations that govern
program/grant compliance. Specifically:

TITLE I – Public Law 103-382, the rules and regulations that govern Title I – Helping
Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards of the Improving America’s School Act of
1994, and the District’s policies and procedures for implementation.
SPECIAL EDUCATION – Public Law 94-142 amended by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Iowa Administrative Code, the federal and state rules and regulations to govern the operation and administration of special education, and the District’s policies and procedures for implementation.

Terms of Employment: As defined by the Code of Iowa and Board policy.