PreK Teacher
Rocketship Public Schools·Washington, District of Columbia
Rocketship Public Schools·Washington, District of Columbia
Teachers design and deliver developmentally appropriate, play-based, and standards-aligned instruction for PreK 3 and PreK 4 students across all subject areas, nurturing their academic and social-emotional growth. Essential functions include building a joyful classroom culture, planning engaging instruction using materials like Tools of the Mind, and partnering closely with families through respectful communication and home visits.
At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential.
We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve.
Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community.
We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country.
At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.
Our PreK 3 and PreK 4 Early Childhood Teachers are expert generalists who nurture the academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of our youngest learners across all subject areas. In this role, teachers design and deliver developmentally appropriate, play-based, and standards-aligned instruction that builds strong foundations in early literacy, numeracy, language development, science exploration, social studies, and social-emotional learning.
PreK teachers create warm, structured classroom environments where children feel safe, joyful, and excited to learn. Teachers work closely with a collaborative early childhood team and are supported by school leaders who provide ongoing professional development and in-the-moment coaching every single week. Just as our teachers invest deeply in their students, Rocketship invests deeply in the growth and development of our educators.
This position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.
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Essential Functions
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Build a joyful, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate classroom culture that supports academic learning, social-emotional development, and positive behavior.
Plan and deliver engaging, integrated instruction across all subject areas, including early literacy, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning.
Internalize high-quality instructional materials (Tools of the Mind) and refine lessons based on student needs and developmental milestones.
Use ongoing observation, formative assessment, and student data to personalize instruction and support each child’s growth.
Implement classroom routines, transitions, and behavior supports that promote independence, self-regulation, and a love of learning.
Collaborate closely with special education and student support staff to ensure students receiving additional services are meaningfully and inclusively supported.
Maintain a safe, well-organized, and engaging learning environment aligned with licensing and program requirements.
Partner with students and families through frequent, respectful communication and strong relationship-building.
Honor families as children’s first teachers and incorporate family knowledge and cultural assets into classroom practice.
Build authentic relationships with families beginning with home visits, which serve as the foundation for ongoing collaboration.
Engage families around academic, developmental, and behavioral goals, and transparently share student progress so both families and teachers jointly support each child’s growth.
Rocketship Professional Culture
Commit to continuous growth as a professional and as an individual.
Attend and actively participate in all professional development meetings, coaching sessions, and school-wide events.
Act with urgency, courage, and professionalism in the best interest of students, even when approaches are new or unfamiliar.
Meet all professional responsibilities and proactively communicate when challenges or changes arise.
Engage in honest and humble self-reflection, owning both successes and areas for growth.
Effectively receive and implement feedback to improve practice.
Communicate clearly and respectfully with colleagues and contribute to a positive, collaborative school culture.
Collaborate with all staff members to ensure students receive consistent, coordinated, and high-quality support.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, reading, psychology, human development, early childhood education, or a closely related field
Support children with age- and developmentally appropriate personal care needs, including toileting, diapering, and hygiene routines, in accordance with OSSE licensing requirements and school protocols.
Promote student independence and self-help skills through developmentally appropriate support with toileting, handwashing, dressing, and daily routines
This role may require frequent bending, kneeling, lifting, and assisting young children with personal care routines, including diapering and toileting support.
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The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children.
The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders.
Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy [http://www.rocketshipschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Employee-Sexual-Harassment-Policy.pdf]. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, reading, psychology, human development, early childhood education, or a closely related field. The role requires the ability to perform physical tasks, including standing, walking, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, while maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment.
Market context
In the District of Columbia, classroom teacher openings are often shaped by ongoing demand in public charter schools and schools serving underserved communities. These roles are competitive because employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, a clear commitment to teaching, and alignment with the school’s mission; benefits may include medical, vision, dental, prescription drug coverage, and graduate tuition support. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show experience or interest in serving diverse student communities.