Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Education Teacher

Job Tittle

• Bright
• Beginnings
• Early
• Childhood
• Education
• Teacher
• Reports To:
• Director of
• Family
• Literacy
• Expansion
• Part-Time: School Year, 27.5 hours/week (Monday –
• Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:30
• PM)
• Supervisory
• Responsibilities:
• None
• Classification:
• Part-Time,
• Exempt
• The
• Mission
• Behind the
• Role: At Grace Place, we believe a family's story doesn't have to be defined by poverty. Every day, we work to change that, through education, community, and a deep commitment to the families we serve. But that work doesn't happen without people who are organized, driven, and genuinely invested in what we're building. That's where you come in. As a Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Education Teacher, you will play a vital role in creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where children and families can thrive. You'll work alongside the Director of Family Literacy Expansion, the ECE Co-Teacher, Family Literacy staff, and volunteers to bring the Grace Place Family Literacy Model® to life across every aspect of our two-generation approach: Early Childhood Education, Adult Education, Parent Time, and PACT Time. This is not simply a classroom role. It's for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, finds purpose in supporting young learners and their families, and understands that meaningful early childhood experiences lay the foundation for lifelong growth and success. With the leadership and guidance of the Director of Family Literacy Expansion, the Bright Beginnings ECE Teacher is responsible for implementing a high-quality, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate preschool program that supports the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of every child. What Success Looks Like in This Role Creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom where children and families feel supported and welcomed. A successful Bright Beginnings ECE Teacher collaborates effectively with staff and families, implements high-quality instruction, and fosters meaningful growth in each child through the Grace Place Family Literacy Model®. What You Will Do Classroom Instruction & Curriculum
• Utilize play-based curriculum, DCF Performance Standards, and Grace Place's established rules and procedures to develop schemes of work, lesson plans, and instructional activities that facilitate and promote early learning skills carried over into the home.
• Create a developmentally appropriate classroom environment and identify and select differentiated instructional resources and methods to meet students' individual needs.
• Maintain a well-organized, DCF-compliant, safe, and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children.

• Support Families Directly
• Build positive relationships with students and families, providing effective ongoing coaching of parents in appropriate strategies modeled during Parent and Child Together (P.A.C.T.) Time.
• Meet with parents and guardians during two home visits per year to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways they can promote learning and development.
• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding their child's progress and needs and keep parents informed of program expectations and activities.
• Conduct home visits and staff/parent conferences.

• Volunteer Management
• Welcome and effectively manage volunteer involvement in the ECE classroom.
• Provide effective ongoing coaching in appropriate strategies and model these strategies in the classroom.
• Maintain high visibility and a hands-on presence with students, staff, volunteers, and parents in all aspects of the program.

• Outcomes & Data
• Observe and evaluate student performance and development, maintaining records of each child's progress to be utilized for planning and evaluation.
• Comply with and complete all required Grace Place evaluations throughout the academic year.
• Incorporate student performance and progress into lesson planning and implemented activities to achieve mastery of outcomes and goals.
• Identify developmental and social-emotional needs of children and make appropriate interventions and referrals with the guidance of the Director of Family Literacy Expansion.
• Ensure outcome reporting effectively demonstrates program impact and student progress.

Communication Communicate regularly with direct team members for the seamless delivery of classroom lessons and achievement of objectives.

• Work Location & Travel Requirements
• Operate a motor vehicle to travel between Grace Place locations, attend meetings, trainings, or off-site obligations, and transport materials as needed. When driving is required as part of job duties, the employee must maintain a valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and active automobile insurance with acceptable driving record.
• Perform all other related duties as required by direct supervisors or Grace Place leadership.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree, A.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, and/or related field.
• A minimum of two years of experience in a teaching or supervising capacity in an early childhood setting, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse cultures and populations preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required; additional technology and database skills preferred.
• Bilingual and bi-cultural skills desirable, but not required.
• Willing to submit to fingerprinting and background checks.
• Possession of a valid Florida driver's license.
• Commitment to supporting the leadership culture of the organization.
• Commitment to the mission and core values of Grace Place.

Special Requirements

• Current First Aid and CPR certificates (can be obtained within 90 days of employment).
• Requires mobility to stand, stoop, reach and bend; ability to walk long distances; ability to participate actively with students of all ages both indoors and outside.
• Meet required DCF training courses (45 hours).
• Maintain the required 10 hours of in-service training.
• Compliance with Good Moral Character as defined by DCF.

Physical Demands & Work Environment This position requires the employee to be physically present and actively engaged in an early childhood classroom environment to ensure the safety, supervision, care, and developmental support of children in accordance with DCF regulations and Grace Place safety protocols.

Essential physical requirements of this role include

• Be physically present and actively engaged with children throughout the program day, including during classroom instruction, transitions, meals/snacks, restroom routines, PACT Time, and outdoor play.
• Frequently lift, carry, or hold children weighing between 10 and 40 pounds.
• Occasionally lift or assist with weight exceeding 40 pounds, including helping children, moving classroom materials, or responding to safety needs.
• Sit on the floor or low chairs, stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, reach overhead, reach at and below shoulder level, twist, and move quickly between areas of the classroom and playground throughout the workday.
• Move at a pace sufficient to ensure child safety across classrooms, common spaces, outdoor areas, and uneven surfaces.
• Supervise children visually and physically at all times, including the ability to respond immediately to unsafe behaviors, injuries, emergencies, or unexpected classroom needs.
• Communicate clearly through spoken word to children, families, staff, and volunteers.
• Maintain the energy, stamina, and awareness necessary to actively teach, supervise, redirect, comfort, and support young children throughout the assigned shift.
• Prepare, organize, and move classroom supplies, learning materials, children's items, and instructional resources as needed.
• Participate in home visits, family conferences, trainings, meetings, and other program-related responsibilities as assigned.

• Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to enable qualified individuals to perform these essential functions.
• Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Level 2 Background check, fingerprinting required.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Proof of valid automobile insurance Background Screening Requirement All applicants must successfully complete required State and National background screening as a condition of employment prior to beginning work at Grace Place for Children and Families.
• Screening is conducted in accordance with applicable Florida law, including Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, and, when applicable, Chapter 408, Florida Statutes.

Background screening includes fingerprinting for FDLE and FBI criminal history checks and review through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Employment is contingent upon receipt, review, and approval of screening results.

Clearinghouse Clearinghouse | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration

• Why Grace Place Grace Place puts faith into action — providing pathways out of poverty by educating children and families.
• When you join our team, you're not just filling a role.
• You're becoming part of a community that shows up every day for the families who need it most.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Grace Place values diversity in the workplace and among our partners and other stakeholders.
• It is the policy of Grace Place to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to do the available work without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
• This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company sponsored employee activities.
• Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by Grace Place where appropriate.
• Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation or any type of retaliation because they have (1) filed a complaint; (2) assisted or participated in an investigation, compliance review, hearing or any other activity related to the administration of any federal, state or local law requiring equal employment opportunity; (3) opposed any act or practice made unlawful by any federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity; or (4) exercised any other legal right protected by federal, state or local law requiring equal opportunity.
• The above-mentioned policies shall be periodically brought to the attention of supervisors and shall be appropriately administered.
• It is the responsibility of each supervisor at Grace Place to ensure affirmative implementation of these policies to avoid any discrimination in employment.
• All employees are expected to recognize these policies and cooperate with their implementation.
• Violation of these policies could be considered a disciplinary offense.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.