21st Century Charter School at Gary
Location
Gary, Indiana
The Pre-K Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing, play-based learning environment focused on kindergarten readiness. Key duties include implementing Indiana Early Learning Standards and fostering cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth in students.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and a valid Indiana teaching license. Experience in urban settings or a CDA certification is preferred.
Description About Us 21st Century Charter School at Gary is part of the GEO Academies network, delivering an innovative K–12 model focused on college and career readiness. As a tuition-free public charter school, we serve students from kindergarten through high school with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, early college opportunities, and career pathways. Our Early Childhood program plays a critical role in building the foundation for lifelong learning. We are committed to ensuring that all students enter kindergarten with strong skills in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
Position Overview The Pre-School (Pre-K) Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing, developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports early childhood growth across cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains. This role emphasizes kindergarten readiness, structured play-based learning, and strong family partnerships.
Essential Responsibilities Plan and implement developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to Indiana Early Learning Standards Deliver a play-based, student-centered learning environment that promotes exploration, curiosity, and foundational skill development Build early literacy and numeracy skills through structured and guided activities Foster social-emotional development, including self-regulation, collaboration, and communication Create a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment Monitor and assess student progress using age-appropriate tools and observational data Communicate regularly with families regarding student growth, development, and school readiness Partner with support staff (Special Education, interventionists, etc.) to meet diverse learner needs Establish clear routines, expectations, and positive behavior supports Participate in professional development, coaching cycles, and school events
Required: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field Valid Indiana teaching license in Early Childhood or Elementary (or ability to obtain) Knowledge of early childhood development and best instructional practices Strong classroom management and relationship-building skills Ability to integrate technology appropriately in early learning environments Preferred: Experience teaching Pre-K or early elementary students Experience working in an urban or high-needs school setting Familiarity with play-based or blended learning models CDA (Child Development Associate) or Early Childhood endorsement
Market context
Indiana Pre-K openings typically draw steady interest because schools need licensed early childhood educators who can support school readiness and classroom routines. This role is competitive for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, a valid Indiana teaching license, and experience in urban settings or a CDA certification; on this platform, the job requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original posting, saving you research time. Before applying, confirm your license status and tailor your resume to highlight early childhood instruction and any urban classroom experience.
Salary benchmark
$42,452 avg / yr
Typical range: $27,560–$48,000 based on 276 active listings in Indiana