Come join our amazing team at Hickory Hill Academy! We are looking for creative, passionate individuals who love children, education, and making a difference. Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of introduction and resume.
At HHA, we value campus, community, and curriculum-and when you visit our 10-acre campus full of animals, nature, and hands-on learning, you'll see it in action every day. If you feel called to create meaningful moments in the early years and support our mission, we would love to hear from you! Learn more about our program and what makes our school so special at hickoryhillacademy.com
Job Description: PreKindergarten (4K/5K) Teacher
As a PreKindergarten (4K/5K) Teacher, you will:
- Design and implement a dynamic, developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Lead the daily classroom experience and operations
- Build authentic partnerships with families
- Foster a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child is known, engaged, and encouraged to succeed
Duties and Responsibilities
### Classroom & Curriculum Support
- Design and implement a dynamic, play-based curriculum with engaging activities to support whole-child development.
- Create and maintain a clean, safe, and stimulating learning environment, using ongoing observation and assessment to inform instruction and track developmental milestones.
- Maintain detailed and accurate records, including observations and assessments, to track developmental milestones and inform curriculum planning.
### Child Guidance & Care
- Foster a warm, nurturing, and inclusive atmosphere, using positive guidance to support childrens social-emotional growth and self-regulation.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all children by diligently supervising daily routines and adhering to all school and state health and safety policies.
- Support children with daily routines, including mealtimes, nap time, and personal care, with patience and encouragement.
### Team & Family Collaboration
- Build strong partnerships with families through regular communication, including daily Brightwheel updates, informal discussions, formal progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
- Lead the classroom team, collaborating effectively with support staff and volunteers to ensure team success and adherence to best practices.
- Actively participate in a positive, collaborative school culture through staff meetings, professional development, and school-wide events.
- Commit to continuous quality improvement by maintaining a personal professional development plan.
- Collaborate with Lower School/Middle School Teachers and Admissions on special projects and family tours to enhance schoolwide mission and vision.
- Assist other departments as required and complete additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field of study; Bachelor's degree preferred. (Coursework required for other degrees within 6 months of hire.)
- Minimum of 2 years of experience caring for children in a group setting.
- Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.
- Successful completion of state-required background checks and health screening.
- Demonstrate professional demeanor by modeling the qualities of L-E-A-D-E-R-S
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills.
- High energy and the ability to work well with others (HHA faculty, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and successfully manage multi-tasking situations.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Knowledge of Google Workspace preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to frequently sit on the floor, kneel, bend, squat, and crawl to interact with children at their eye level.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and move about the classroom and outdoor play areas.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds to support childrens safety and needs.
- Possess the visual and auditory acuity necessary to supervise a group of young children and respond quickly in an emergency.
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Our School Values
Our Teachers thrive in a school that values our L-E-A-D-E-R-S (see below), principles, curiosity, connection, and celebrating each child for exactly who they are-all while having fun!
L - Listen (seeking first to understand, then be understood)
E - Empathy (ability to respect what another person is experiencing)
A - Accepting (who are we to judge?)
D - Disciplined (choosing the hard right versus the easy wrong)
E - Ethical (never being afraid to do what's right)
R - Respectful (the Golden Rule)
S - Selfless (placing others before ourselves)
Learn more about our program and what makes our school so special at hickoryhillacademy.com