Preschool Educator - Early Childhood Development Specialist with $3,000 Sign-on Bonus

Join Our Mission-Driven Team as a Preschool Educator

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is seeking a talented and compassionate Preschool Educator to join our team in Saint Petersburg, FL. As a mission-driven organization, we envision a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. Our Head Start/Early Head Start Program is dedicated to providing high-quality educational and enrichment activities for preschool-aged children and infants/toddlers. If you're passionate about early childhood education and want to make a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families, we encourage you to apply!

About Our Organization

Lutheran Services Florida is a leading provider of social services and education, operating 60 programs across the state of Florida. Our staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. We offer a range of growth opportunities, and our amazing benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan, and tuition reimbursement.

Purpose and Impact

As a Preschool Educator at LSF, you will serve as a lead worker in the classroom, planning and implementing educational activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development in young children. Your goal will be to ensure that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten-ready, and you will work closely with parents, colleagues, and community partners to achieve this objective.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement daily lesson plans that provide for educational and enrichment activities for preschool-age children or infants and toddlers.
• Arrange classrooms into distinctive learning areas that promote an effective learning environment.
• Screen and assess children to determine developmental/educational needs and develop and implement individual education plans.
• Monitor meal and snack periods, classroom and restroom activities, and playground activities to ensure a safe environment for young children.
• Document children's progress and complete all required manual and computerized forms and reports.
• Communicate with parents through parent conferences, written correspondence, and telephone to apprise them of child's progress, upcoming events, classroom activities, individual education plan changes, and other relevant information.
• Conduct health checks on children for health concerns, including ringworm, head lice, and other health conditions, and report to the appropriate Health Coordinator.
• Ensure lessons and classroom activities align with the Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Standards.
• Conduct Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten assessments as required.

Essential Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Two years of experience teaching Head Start, Early Head Start, preschool, or kindergarten-age children.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Experience working with children with special needs.
• Knowledge of child development theories and practices.

Skills and Competencies

• Working knowledge of brain development and its impact on early learning.
• Working knowledge of child development from birth to age five for typical and atypical children.
• Working knowledge of culture and practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Working knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood development.
• Skill in the application of supervisory techniques.
• Skill in verbal communication with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and conduct early childhood education programs.

Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits

At LSF, we are committed to the growth and development of our staff members. We offer:

• Tuition reimbursement.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year).
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors).

Work Environment and Company Culture

Our Saint Petersburg, FL office provides a state-of-the-art and comfortable workspace. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion in all business practices and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and an amazing benefits package, including:

• $3,000 sign-on bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Employer-paid life insurance (1X salary).

Conclusion

If you're passionate about early childhood education and want to make a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. As a Preschool Educator at LSF, you will have the chance to join a mission-driven team, grow professionally, and contribute to the development of high-quality educational programs.

Apply now and take the first step towards a rewarding career in early childhood education!