Early Childhood Education Instructor - Highline Community Elementary

Job Title: Early Childhood Education Instructor

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Classification Group: Extended Childcare Services

Supervising Position: Director or designee

Pay Plan: Educational Support Personnel

Pay Range: Range 08

Last Updated: 07/02/2025

Pay Information

Benefits Information

JOB SUMMARY: : Facilitate learning and teaching in an integrated, inclusive preschool classroom (ages 3 to 5 ½ years); plan and administer small and large group instruction. Form and implement student educational programs; support and follow through with individual education plan (IEP) goals and accommodations. Perform daily administrative functions including preparing class materials, disinfecting room and toys, writing student progress reports, attending IEP-related meetings, and performing other related clerical duties. Communicate with district staff and/or student guardians regarding student progress; conduct parent conferences. Tend to the personal needs of students including lifting, diapering, and custodial/toilet training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Task Descriptions Frequency Percentage of Time

1.

Plan, implement, and monitor each student’s educational program. Supervise students in the classroom. Plan and facilitate small and large instructional group activities that are developmentally appropriate. Provide a safe, nurturing, and orderly classroom environment conducive to the growth and development of each student with readily accessible, age appropriate materials.

Daily 25%

2.

Supervise, evaluate, and maintain records for program employees. Supervise para-educators in the classroom, including delegating work, training, directing work, assigning work, and resolving problems. Communicate and encourage professional growth opportunities for para-educators. May observe para-educators’ performance to provide input for annual evaluations completed by the Director of Early Childhood Education (ECE).

Daily 20%

3.

Attend and participate in meetings related to early childhood students’ IEPs. Support and follow through with students’ IEP goals and accommodations by collaborating and planning with special educators, working individually or in small groups with students with IEP goals, developing activities to meet the goals, etc. Attend licensing meetings with the school nurse.

Daily 10%

4.

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the classroom such as preparing class materials and toys, student discipline, addressing parent complaints, daily attendance, daily anecdotes/progress notes, correspondence books, proper food handling and sanitation practices, tending to student’s personal needs, etc.

Daily 10%

5.

Supervise children on the playground. Handle emergencies and injuries in a safe and professional manner. Plan and implement meaningful activities for large motor periods.

Daily 5%

6.

Write student progress reports and conduct parent conferences. Communicate with student guardians and district special educators regarding student progress and/or issues. 

Weekly 10%

7.

Complete Inter-Rater Reliability and collect sufficient student data and input into My Teaching Strategies (TS GOLD); meet deadlines for three checkpoints a year, as mandated by the State of Colorado.

Weekly 5%

8.

Purchase classroom supplies as needed and according to district guidelines.

Monthly 5%

9.

Attend and participate in professional development trainings including First Aid/CPR, crisis prevention intervention, literacy, excellence in equity, communication strategies, social/emotional development, etc. Attend professional learning communities (PLCs).

Quarterly 5%

10.

Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Daily 5% TOTAL 100%

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The minimum prerequisites of formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other criteria that a candidate must fulfill to be considered for a position. It is essential that certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, and trainings are fulfilled, valid, and not expired.

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma
• One (1) year of early childhood education/preschool teacher, instructor, or educational assistant/para experience 
• Ability to work one-on-one and in small groups with students 
• Colorado Department of Human Services Early Childhood Teacher qualification (verification letter required)
• First Aid/CPR certification or completion of an introduction class to First Aid/CPR
• Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) registered
• Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Basic word processing skills
• Intermediate interpersonal relations skills
• Ability to follow all Federal and State licensing rules and regulations
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others
• Ability to work cooperatively with an interdisciplinary special education team, as well as with other professionals
• Ability to implement behavior modification techniques
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization
• Medium work strength level (lifting or carrying 50 pounds)
• Works both indoors and outdoors
• Typically a moderate noise level
• Frequent bending, squatting, reaching, and climbing
• Eye/hand coordination
• Visual concentration
• Concentrated reading/writing/mathematics
• Prolonged standing and walking
• Squatting
• Overhead work
• Occasional lifting, pulling, and/or pushing
• May be required to assist students with custodial needs (feeding, toilet)
• May work outdoors when monitoring student activities
• Normal school district environment that may include potential volatile outbursts

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.

• Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement
• Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent
• Three (3) years of preschool teaching experience
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Colorado Department of Human Services Early Childhood Director certification
• Colorado Shines PDIS 3.0 Level 2