Pre-K Lead Teacher

About the Opportunity

What we do today affects generations to come…Peanut Butter and Jelly Family Services, Inc. (PB & J) is a non-profit organization that has been serving New Mexico Families for fifty years. Our programming empowers and assists families in creating and implementing frameworks that lead to improved parent-child relationships, positive parenting practices, optimal child development, family safety, and increased knowledge of and access to community programs and services. Our Mission is to help at-risk children grow and develop to their full potential in nurturing families within a supportive community.

Position Summary

Lead teachers will use their professional knowledge to create a learning environment that is safe, predictable and promotes educating young children. Teachers will utilize tools such as ECERS-3 and CLASS to ensure classroom environment and interactions in the class are meeting the needs of each child. Teachers will follow NM Prek guidelines and requirements set by State of New Mexico. Teacher will be provided guidelines and requirements at the beginning of each school year. Teacher will meet with NM Prek Specialist, UNM Prek Consultant and Practiced Based Coaching Mentor throughout the year to ensure Prek program and children’s’ needs are met. 

Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

Education and/or Experience

Must have or be taking credit-bearing college work toward a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education which may qualify them for the New Mexico Early Childhood Teacher’s License: Birth through Third Grade or the New Mexico Early Childhood Teacher License: Age three through grade three.

Skills

• Cultural competence
• Constructive interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to judge personal safety and respond accordingly
• Dependability
• Understand and demonstrate agency Confidentiality and HIPAA privacy practices
• The developmental needs of children, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs

Abilities

The PreK program staff must be able to collaborate to support the establishment of a seamless continuum of quality early care and education programs in the community. The staff must meet quarterly with early care and education programs in the community to collaborate and strengthen existing early childhood programs and initiatives. The PreK programs must collaborate to share expertise and support the early care and education infrastructure in the community. The programs open in-services to early care and education teachers in the community. The PreK programs are knowledgeable of and link with systems within communities that provide all children with access to comprehensive services that are predictive of school success. The staff must be able to disseminate information about family support services including parent education and making appropriate choices regarding early learning and intervention services.  The PreK staff will be able to provide a family centered philosophy that guides all aspects of program planning and implementation. The staff must be able to collaborate with families to ensure smooth transitions for children as they move between settings, between levels or grades, or from program to program. The staff must also be culturally and linguistically responsive.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Clear Criminal Records Clearance – required
• Current First Aid/CPR Certification – required
• Defensive Driver Certificate – required if operating a PB&J vehicle
• Current Automobile Liability Insurance – required if transporting clients in personal vehicle
• Valid NM Driver’s license– required if transporting clients in personal vehicle

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the person in this position, in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms: and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Exposure Category

The usual work routine may involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee frequently works in a classroom environment with a noise level that ranges from moderate to loud and will occasionally work off-site or in an office environment.  Employee will occasionally work in outside weather conditions during recess time or while traveling and/or conducting home visits. Work hours are considered flexible and employees are expected to periodically work evenings and weekends should agency and/or client needs require. 

The employee is required to drive an automobile in order to perform required responsibilities in the client’s home during non-traditional hours when public or agency transportation is not available.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Dental, Health and Vision insurance

AFLAC/Voluntary Life insurance

Legal Shield

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

403(b) retirement

Flexible schedule

Generous Vacation leave

Sick leave

14 holidays