Lead Pre-K Teacher

Pre-K teachers instruct children three to five years of age. A main focus at this level is preparing students to be ready for kindergarten. Early learning foundations in basic subjects such as pre-reading readiness and early math experiences are practiced daily.

As a pre-K teacher, your typical activities may include:.

• Plan curriculum: Prepare daily lessons and exercises; follow age-appropriate curriculum guidelines for preschoolers, such as counting single-digit numbers, identifying colors, categorizing and grouping shapes, and memorizing the alphabet.
• Serve meals: Serve lunches and/or snacks to students in accordance with school and district nutritional policies, and assist students with cleaning up after mealtime.
• Personal hygiene: Help students understand the benefits of personal health habits, including eating nutritional snacks, washing hands, grooming, and dressing.
• Lead procedures: Arrange seating plans, take roll, keep attendance records, and implement school procedures.
• Fun activities: Organize and lead games, arts and crafts, and other activities designed to help students learn, expend energy and work in groups.
• Store supplies: Select supplies, such as arts and crafts, story books, and other learning tools; keep supplies organized; assist students in gathering and returning supplies before and after activities.
• Storytelling: Read stories from age-appropriate books and encourage students to interact through creative feedback in group discussions.
• Social development: Help students integrate with one another and interact in groups, whether they’re working on curriculum, completing tasks, or during play activities.
• Behavior issues: Identify emotional problems and address them with the child’s parents or guardians during parent-teacher conferences.
• Staff meetings: Attend staff meetings and work with colleagues to plan curriculum and discuss student progress.
• Professional support: Work with school staff, such as counselors, nurses, and psychologists, who specialize in early childhood development and behavior management issues.
• Teaching assistants: Supervise teaching assistants or volunteers as appropriate and in accordance with school procedures and policies as well as state and federal equal employment guidelines.
• Education plans: Identify children with potential special needs and develop Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) for remedial attention if necessary.
• Progress reports: Evaluate work; keep student records and provide parents or guardians with timely progress reports.
• Evaluate students: Administer tests and formal assessments; evaluate students’ grade-level performance in accordance with school and district policies; meet with parents to discuss performance.

pre-K teachers work a variety of hours, depending on whether they’re employed full time or part time. Some pre-K teachers work full time and are responsible for separate morning and afternoon classes. Preschool teachers who work full time for daycare centers typically work eight-hour shifts ranging from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.