VPK Teacher and Elementary After-School Teacher

Job Title

• VPK
• Teacher and
• Elementary
• After-School
• Teacher
• Reports to:
• Manager,
• ECE
• Programs and
• SAP
• Program
• Manager
• Classification:
• Full
• Time
• Exempt,
• M-Th: 8:15a.m.-5:45p.m. & F: 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.
• Supervisory
• Responsibilities:
• None
• Date: 06/4/26

Our Mission

Grace Place puts faith into action providing pathways out of poverty by educating children and families.

Summary/Objective

The VPK Teacher is responsible for planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom management of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) classroom. This role requires an experienced early childhood educator with strong knowledge of Florida VPK standards, kindergarten readiness, and VPK assessment practices, including FAST Star Early Literacy, Teaching Strategies Gold, and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).

The VPK Teacher creates a nurturing, engaging, and academically rich classroom environment that supports children’s cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development while partnering closely with families to ensure student success. The teacher is expected to implement high-quality instructional practices that contribute to a CLASS assessment score of 5.5 or higher and strong kindergarten readiness outcomes.

Essential

Duties: and Responsibilities:

• Planning and Instruction
• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction aligned to Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards and VPK benchmarks.
• Utilize Grace Place curriculum, including Creative Curriculum and other approved instructional resources, to develop weekly lesson plans and learning experiences that promote kindergarten readiness.
• Deliver whole-group, small-group, and center-based instruction to support literacy, language, math, social-emotional development, and executive functioning skills.
• Differentiate instruction based on student needs and assessment data.
• Create and maintain a well-organized, safe, DCF-compliant, and engaging classroom environment conducive to learning and exploration.
• Implement classroom routines and positive behavior supports that promote self-regulation and social-emotional growth.
• Collaborate with support teachers and classroom volunteers to maximize student engagement and learning.

• Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction
• Administer and utilize Florida VPK assessments, including FAST Star Early Literacy, in accordance with state timelines and expectations.
• Maintain accurate student records, documentation, and progress monitoring data.
• Complete Teaching Strategies Gold checkpoints and Grace Place assessments accurately and on time.
• Analyze student assessment data to inform instruction, identify learning gaps, and develop targeted interventions.
• Participate in data meetings and collaborate with leadership to monitor student progress toward kindergarten readiness goals.
• Identify students needing additional support and collaborate with families and leadership on intervention strategies and referrals when appropriate.

• Family Engagement and Communication
• Build strong, welcoming, and culturally responsive relationships with families.
• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding student progress, classroom activities, and developmental milestones.
• Conduct parent conferences, home visits, and family engagement activities as required.
• Support families in reinforcing early learning and literacy skills at home.

• Classroom Operations and Collaboration
• Maintain compliance with all Grace Place, DCF, licensing, health, and safety requirements.
• Welcome and effectively utilize classroom volunteers to support student learning.
• Work collaboratively with co-teachers, managers, and support staff to continuously improve classroom quality and student outcomes.
• Participate in required professional development, staff meetings, and program initiatives.
• Performs any other duties or responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of a CDA, FCCPC, or Associate degree in Education or related field required.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience teaching in a Florida VPK classroom strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience administering and interpreting FAST Star Early Literacy and/or VPK readiness assessments strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of kindergarten readiness standards and early childhood instructional best practices required.
• Must meet Florida VPK instructional credential requirements.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Bi-lingual, preferred (English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole).
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Experience using assessment data to drive instruction and improve student outcomes.
• Strong classroom management and positive behavior support skills.
• Experience working with children and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, digital learning tools, and student data systems.
• Commitment to the mission and core values of Grace Place.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain within 90 days of employment).
• Ability to pass background screening and FDLE fingerprinting.

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 acti