Virginia Preschool Initiative Teacher (VPI) bei Powhatan County Public Schools

Powhatan County Public Schools

Job Title:   Virginia Preschool Initiative Teacher (VPI)

FLSA Status:   Exempt                                            

Employment Status:  Non-Classified

License Required:  Yes (DOE)

Reports to:  Principal

Location: Flat Rock Elementary School

Summary

PCPS is  seeking a passionate, dedicated, and highly qualified VPI Teacher to join our early childhood education team. The VPI Teacher will provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction to 3-year-old students in alignment with Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning and the goals of the Virginia Preschool Initiative. The teacher will create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students while fostering strong relationships with families and the community.

The qualified applicant will: 

• Hold a valid Virginia license issued by VDOE with an early-primary or elementary endorsement that includes a Pre-K or NK endorsement. 
• Have knowledge and experience screening children with the Virginia Language & Literacy Screener: Pre-K (VALLS: Pre-K) preferred. 
• Knowledge and experience of Virginia’s Foundation for Early Learning and the VPI program preferred. 

VPI program requirements include: Teachers and instructional assistants will attend at least 15 clock hours per year of professional development focused on early childhood education topics including best-practices for implementing a high-quality preschool program. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop lesson plans and instructional materials that adapt curriculum for individual and small-group needs, aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning and division philosophy.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning, student maturity, and interests, including functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards, and seating arrangements that support learning and avoid stigmatizing students.
• Prepare and provide evidence of lesson planning upon request; clearly communicate objectives for lessons, units, and projects.
• Communicate and interact with students, parents, staff, and community.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for instructional assistants, volunteers, and substitute teachers.
• Provide an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of individuals to ensure success for every student. 
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior that promote a safe, orderly, and fair learning atmosphere; resolve discipline issues in line with school guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate records and follows required procedures and practices. 
• Guide the learning process toward achieving curriculum and instructional goals by setting clear annual and lesson-level objectives, using assessment results to inform instruction.
• Employ a variety of instructional strategies, technology, and media appropriate to student needs, capabilities, and classroom resources.
• Assess and evaluate student academic and social growth regularly using multiple measures; maintain accurate records, prepare progress reports, and administer standardized tests.
• Seek assistance from specialists to support the growth and development of students. 
• Select and manage instructional materials, supplies, and equipment; maintain accurate inventory records.
• Collaborate with administrators, colleagues, and staff to implement school and division policies; attend required meetings and serve on committees.
• Communicate effectively through clear oral and written presentations; build positive relationships with parents, students, colleagues, and the community.
• Utilize computers and related software to design instructional materials and support student learning.
• Pursue ongoing professional growth through training, continuing education, and professional literature; apply new knowledge to improve practice.
• Monitor and evaluate student outcomes.
• Model professionalism through punctuality, regular attendance, efficient time use, cooperation with staff, confidentiality, timely grading and reporting, and adherence to policies and directives.
• Establish opportunities for students and parents outside the instructional day for education-related purposes when reasonably required.
• Stay current with educational trends to improve professional competence.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent, or designee.

Qualifications

Must hold a valid Virginia license issued by VDOE with an early-primary or elementary endorsement that includes a Pre-K or NK endorsement. 

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of parents or the public.

Reasoning/Other Abilities

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one-or two-step instructions.  Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Physical Demands include having to:

• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and sit on the floor to interact with children at their level.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds frequently and occasionally up to 50 pounds (e.g., moving classroom materials, assisting children).
• Transition quickly between sitting, standing, and active movement throughout the day.
• Move with sufficient mobility to ensure the safety of children in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Supervise and actively engage with children in activities that may be physically demanding (e.g., playground supervision, classroom play, field trips).
• Use normal visual acuity, hearing, and verbal communication to monitor, instruct, and interact with children, staff, and families.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Evaluation

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of licensed personnel.  Setting SMART goals and maintaining a Documentation Log are required methods of providing evidence of performance related to the specific performance standards required by the Code of Virginia.