Early Educator (Ages 3-5)

id='p2325_'>Early Educator (Ages 3-5) JobID: 2325

Position Type:

Early Education

Date Posted:

7/15/2026

Location:

Hagen Early Education Center

Date Available:

08/10/2026

Additional Information: Show/Hide

HIRING FOR 2026/2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Hagen Early Education Center is seeking a passionate, dedicated, and Colorado-qualified Early Childhood Teacher to join our team in guiding a classroom of children aged 3 to 5 years old. In this role, you will foster the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of preschoolers through a safe, nurturing, and emotionally supportive environment. You will be responsible for implementing our established center curriculum, aligning daily activities with state licensing guidelines and Colorado Shines quality standards. Additionally, you will support an inclusive environment that welcomes all learners, working closely with families and specialists to implement accommodations for children with diverse learning needs.

REPORTS TO: Preschool Director

SALARY RANGE & CATEGORY: $23,751 - $46,649 on Early Educator Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WORK CALENDAR: 167 days

FTE: 1.0

Full-time with benefits; 4-day school week (Tuesday - Friday)

POSITION SUMMARY: Re-1 Valley School District is seeking a caring, energetic, and student-centered Early Educator to join our Early Education Center team. The Early Educator creates a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where young children grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.

The successful candidate understands the importance of building strong relationships with children and families while fostering curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Curriculum Implementation: Deliver and execute our center's specific curriculum with fidelity, ensuring daily activities promote literacy, math, and science concepts to foster kindergarten readiness.
• Child Assessment: Monitor, assess, and document individual child milestones and track developmental progress within the curriculum framework.
• Inclusive Education & IEP Support: Demonstrate a strong knowledge of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Collaborate closely with school district specialists, speech therapists, and special education teachers to implement required accommodations and goals within the natural classroom environment.
• Classroom Management: Maintain a clean, organized, safe, trauma-informed, and engaging learning space aligned with Colorado Shines quality metrics.
• Family Engagement: Hold regular parent-teacher conferences and build respectful, transparent relationships with families. Partner with parents to align home and school goals, particularly for children navigating the IEP process.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhere strictly to Colorado Child Care Licensing Rules (Section 7.702) and health protocols.
• Team Collaboration: Supervise and mentor assistant teachers, aides, and volunteers within the preschool classroom.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain current licensure
• Participate in ongoing professional development
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and IDEA
• Support district early childhood initiatives
• RE-1 Valley employees shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward information and information technology, students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community. In conscientiously conducting his or her affairs, the employee shall exemplify the highest standards of professional commitment.

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• Colorado ECT Qualification: Must meet the Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) criteria defined by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), verified through the Colorado Shines PDIS. Eligible pathways typically require an Associate/Bachelor's degree in ECE, a valid CDA, or completed ECE college coursework with verified experience hours.
• Special Education Familiarity: Proven experience or strong knowledge of working with children with special needs, interpreting IEP documentation, and supporting diverse learning goals.
• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Background Clearance: Ability to pass a mandatory federal background check, including fingerprinting through the CBI and FBI.
• Safety Training: Current certifications in standard universal precautions (or willingness to obtain them upon hire). Note: CPR and First Aid training will be provided by the center upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working within a structured early childhood curriculum.
• Prior experience or formal training in utilizing Teaching Strategies GOLD (TS GOLD) for checkpoint documentation is highly preferred.
• Experience in preschool or early childhood education
• Experience with inclusive classrooms
• Knowledge of the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate demonstrates:

• Passion for early childhood education
• Patience, compassion, and flexibility
• Strong classroom management
• Effective communication with young children and adults
• Organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Cultural responsiveness
• Professionalism and integrity

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Lifts up to 40 pounds
• Sits, kneels, bends, crouches, and reaches
• Assists children with daily routines
• Works indoors and outdoors
• Supervises active young children throughout the day
• Uses classroom technology and educational materials
• Preschool classroom environment
• Frequent interaction with young children and families
• Moderate noise level
• Indoor and outdoor supervision
• Occasional evening family events or professional meetings

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: see attached link

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions - CLICK HERE

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with district policy

Application and Selection Procedure:

• Candidates: Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/re1valley/onlineapp/
• Completed and submitted online application.
• A current cover letter or letter of interest detailing information about the candidate and their interest in the position.
• A current, professional resume.
• Three current professional letters of reference.

If you do not have internet access, a computer is available in the Human Resources Division, Hagen Education Center, 301 Hagen, Sterling, Colorado.

• Applications are reviewed to match candidates with position qualifications, and a limited number of candidates are selected for interviews. For the final selection, employment is contingent upon completing the post-offer screening process, including a background check and possible medical examination.

Benefits & Eligibility:

RE-1 Valley School District is proud to offer eligible employees excellent benefits, which may include:

• Employer-paid health insurance.
• Optional dental and vision insurance.
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Retirement Savings Plans

Follow helpful link below for more insurance information

Insurance Information - CLICK HERE

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Notation:

All staff are to be cognizant of policies regarding confidentiality. All District Board of Education policies may be viewed from the District's website.

RE-1 Valley School District has two high schools, one middle school, one junior high school, three elementary schools and two preschools and serves approximately 1,910 students in the Sterling and Iliff/Crook areas, employing about 400 staff. RE-1 Valley School District utilizes a 4-day school week schedule (Tuesday-Friday).

RE-1 Valley employs highly qualified, dedicated staff who believe our mission is to prepare all students for productive, successful lives beyond school through a balanced curriculum, activities, community experiences, global awareness, high expectations and interaction among students, parents and community. Visit the District website at www.re1valleyschools.org for more information including updated job postings and salary schedules.

Caliche Elementary and Caliche Jr/Sr High School, located outside Iliff, CO, are a part of RE-1 Valley School District. The District Administration Center is located in Sterling, CO (Logan County) in the Northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76 alongside the Platte River. Having the largest population, approximately 13,900, in Logan County and much of the surrounding area, Sterling offers shopping, restaurants, numerous parks, a recreation center, access to medical care and is located near North Sterling Reservoir. Sterling is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Denver International Airport and 2 hours from Denver and the Front Range (I-25 corridor).

RE-1 Valley School District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. RE-1 Valley School District makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.