Early Childhood Teacher (2026-2027 School Year)

Report To: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

General Definition of Work

The Early Childhood Teacher provides a safe nurturing and engaging learning environment for young learners. The teacher supports students social emotional physical and cognitive development through developmentally appropriate play-based and instructional practices. The ideal candidate fosters a caring creative and enthusiastic classroom environment that supports early learning foundations.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary/Status

Teacher Salary Schedule/Full-Time

Start Date

Determined by Human Resources

Essential Functions

• Supports and supervises young children during instructional and non-instructional activities to ensure safety and compliance with district procedures.
• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate lessons and activities that support early literacy numeracy fine and gross motor development and social-emotional learning.
• Establishes a nurturing classroom environment that promotes positive behavior engagement and student independence.
• Implement behavior supports and intervention strategies to support students social and daily living skills.
• Organizes indoor and outdoor learning activities including quiet and active play aligned to early childhood developmental needs.
• Assist students with personal care needs as required to ensure student health safety and dignity.
• Provides meals and snacks as scheduled to meet students nutritional needs.
• Collaborate with colleagues parents/guardians and support staff to support student growth and progress.
• Participates in meetings related to student progress intervention planning and family communication.
• Maintains a clean safe and organized classroom environment.
• Completes required documentation record keeping and clerical duties to support instructional and compliance needs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the effective operation of the school.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Skill in implementing differentiated instruction and inclusive teaching strategies to meet diverse learner needs.
• Ability to create a nurturing structured and engaging learning environment that supports social-emotional and academic growth.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with students families and colleagues.
• Ability to build positive relationships with young learners and maintain a supportive classroom community.
• Skill in classroom organization behavior management and establishing consistent routines.
• Ability to collect and use basic student data to inform instruction and monitor progress.
• Flexibility to adapt instruction routines and strategies to meet the needs of students and the classroom environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other teachers support staff and administrators.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism while managing frequent interruptions.

Certification and Experience

• South Carolina certification in Early Childhood with a strong GPA in relevant coursework.
• Experience with differentiated instruction and inclusive teaching practices
• Familiar with educational technology tools
• Strong classroom management skills and a growth-oriented mindset

Special Requirements

• Must have and maintain a valid Drivers License or ability to provide own transportation
• May be required to travel to school district buildings and professional meetings
• Prior to beginning employment negative tb test results must be provided

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Work requires long periods of standing or walking around the classroom especially when giving instruction monitoring students or using whiteboards/projectors.
• Requires clear verbal communication and strong listening skills to engage with students parents and colleagues.
• May require projecting voice in noisy environments or large classrooms.
• Use of hands to write on boards type handle classroom materials and operate technology (computers tablets projectors).
• May include lifting or carrying instructional materials textbooks or student work (typically up to 20 lbs.).
• Must be able to read and assess student work view computer screens and monitor student behavior visually.
• Must be able to hear student questions and school announcements.
• Repetitive actions like typing grading papers writing on boards.
• Often sit for extended periods while planning lessons or grading but also stand or move frequently while teaching.
• Work is primarily conducted indoors in classrooms often with limited temperature control in older buildings.
• Exposure to chalk dust markers cleaning supplies and sometimes poor ventilation.
• Classrooms can be noisy during group work.
• Standard school hours but teachers often work before and after school for planning grading meetings or extracurricular activities.
• Evening or weekend work is common for lesson prep grading parent communication or professional development.
• Managing behavior supporting diverse student needs and maintaining classroom engagement.
• Breaks are limited and structured around school schedules (e.g. lunch prep periods).
• Constant interaction with students parents administrators and colleagues.
• Must manage interpersonal dynamics conflicts and communications in a professional and respectful way.

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit official transcripts three professional references with at least one supervisory reference and a copy of the appropriate credentials as part of the application process.

Pre-Onboarding and Employment Requirements
As a condition of employment and prior to onboarding the district will conduct a criminal history background check. The recommended candidate will be required to provide personal information necessary to complete the background check such as date of birth gender and race to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of the pre-employment process candidates will be required to submit TB test results and complete designated employment tasks.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this job. Job description is sourced from employee interviews internal documents representative job descriptions in similar districts and other state/federal agencies.

Rock Hill Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Required Experience:

IC