ESPAÑOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
JOB DESCRIPTION
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
Title: Kindergarten Teacher
Work Unit/Location:
San Juan
Reports to: Site Principal
Supervises: Students
Contract Length:
163 days
4-day week
Pay Schedule:
Per approved salary schedule
Overtime Status:
Must be approved
Licensure:
NMPED Teaching Licensure
QUALIFICATIONS:
-
Must hold a valid New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) PreK–3 or K–8 teaching license appropriate for assignment.
-
Properly certified in all assigned content areas and grade levels.
-
Bilingual Endorsement preferred
-
Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development, foundational literacy and numeracy instruction, and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
-
Demonstrated ability to implement differentiated instruction and support diverse student learning needs.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
-
Knowledge of instructional technology and student data systems preferred.
-
Demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, and willingness to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
REPORTS TO: Principal or Designee
JOB GOAL:
To provide developmentally appropriate instruction and create a safe, engaging, and supportive classroom environment that promotes social-emotional growth, foundational academic development, school readiness, and positive student relationships. To develop each student’s literacy, language, numeracy, communication, and social skills while building the foundation for future educational success.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instruction and Curriculum
-
Plan and deliver engaging, standards-based instruction aligned to New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines, Content Standards, district curriculum, and instructional expectations.
-
Teach foundational literacy, language development, mathematics, science, social studies, health, and other assigned kindergarten content areas utilizing district-approved curriculum and instructional practices.
-
Develop lesson plans and instructional materials that incorporate hands-on learning, exploration, play-based learning, and active student engagement.
-
Provide differentiated instruction to meet the developmental, academic, behavioral, and language needs of all students.
-
Utilize small-group instruction, intervention, and targeted supports to maximize student growth.
-
Incorporate bilingual instructional practices and language supports where appropriate and applicable.
-
Create meaningful learning experiences that promote student independence, curiosity, communication, and collaboration.
-
Maintain lesson plans and instructional documentation as required by district expectations.
Student Development and Support
-
Establish and maintain expectations for student behavior that support a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment.
-
Support students in developing social-emotional skills, self-regulation, communication, and positive peer interactions.
-
Implement the district’s Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) framework through universal instruction, targeted interventions, progress monitoring, and data-based decision making.
-
Identify student academic, behavioral, attendance, and developmental concerns and collaborate with intervention teams and support staff.
-
Provide classroom structures and routines that support school readiness and successful transitions.
Assessment and Student Achievement
-
Assess and monitor student growth using formal and informal assessment measures aligned to district and state expectations.
-
Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades where applicable, assessment results, intervention documentation, and student performance data.
-
Analyze student achievement and progress-monitoring data to inform instruction and improve outcomes.
-
Prepare and communicate student progress reports in accordance with district procedures.
-
Administer district, state, language proficiency, and kindergarten readiness assessments as assigned.
Communication and Collaboration
-
Maintain timely and effective communication with parents and guardians regarding student progress, attendance, behavior, and developmental milestones.
-
Conduct parent conferences and collaborate with families to support student success and school readiness.
-
Collaborate with grade-level teams, intervention staff, special education staff, counselors, and administration to support student growth.
-
Participate in curriculum alignment, benchmark development, assessment review, bilingual education implementation, and Educational Plan for Student Success (EPSS) activities.
-
Participate in faculty meetings, professional learning communities (PLCs), committees, and school improvement efforts.
Classroom Environment and Operations
-
Create and maintain an organized, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
-
Select and maintain instructional materials, manipulatives, and classroom inventory.
-
Supervise students during classroom instruction, transitions, lunch, recess, field trips, and assigned duties.
-
Arrange and supervise educational field experiences as approved by administration.
Professional Responsibilities
-
Maintain professional competencies through district professional development, licensure renewal, and self-directed learning.
-
Implement district initiatives, Board policies, and instructional expectations.
-
Participate cooperatively in evaluation processes in accordance with district procedures and professional growth expectations.
-
Demonstrate professional accountability through attendance, punctuality, ethical practice, confidentiality, and effective stewardship of district resources.
-
Attend meetings and district events as requested by administration.
-
Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent, or designee.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in classroom and school environments and requires frequent standing, walking, movement with students, supervision of active learning environments, occasional lifting of classroom materials, and participation in outdoor activities.
TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:
Term of employment shall be established annually through adoption of the official school calendar and employment contract.
SALARY:
Salary shall be established annually through adoption of the district salary schedule.
EVALUATION:
Performance of this position shall be evaluated in accordance with Board policy, district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and provisions governing evaluation of licensed instructional personnel.
