The Park Rapids School District is seeking a passionate and dedicated educator to join our team at Century Lower Elementary as a PreK School Readiness & Voluntary PreK Teacher. This part-time position is a .8 FTE position and designed for an individual who is committed to fostering a love of learning in young children and preparing them for future academic success. The ideal candidate will create a nurturing and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and social development.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans that align with state standards for PreK education.
- Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment that supports the emotional, social, and cognitive development of each child.
- Assess and monitor student progress, providing individualized support and interventions as needed.
- Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding student progress, classroom activities, and any concerns.
- Collaborate with other educators and staff to create a cohesive learning experience for all students.
- Organize and participate in school events, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Maintain a safe and clean classroom environment that promotes learning and exploration.
- Utilize various teaching strategies and materials to engage students and accommodate different learning styles.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
- Valid teaching certification in Early Childhood Education (preferred).
- Previous experience working with preschool-aged children in an educational setting.
- Strong understanding of child development principles and early childhood education best practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with parents, staff, and students.
- Ability to create a positive and engaging learning environment.
- Patience, creativity, and a genuine passion for teaching young children.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Background check clearance as required by state regulations.
From PDF Description
Position Description
Park Rapids Area Schools
Section I: General Information
Position Title:
PreK School Readiness & Voluntary Pre-K (VPK)
Teacher
Bargaining Unit:
ED MN Park Rapids
Immediate Supervisor’s Position Title:
Building Principal
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Pay Equity Points Assigned:
662
Date Board Approved:
Job Summary:
The PreK School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) Teacher is responsible for providing a high-
quality early childhood education program that promotes school readiness and supports the
academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth of young learners. This position focuses on
preparing students for kindergarten success through developmentally appropriate practices, targeted
instruction, and strong family engagement within a PreK–elementary school environment.
Section II: Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
Instruction & Curriculum
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with School
Readiness and VPK standards.
• Provide instruction in early literacy, numeracy, language development, and social-emotional
skills.
• Use play-based and hands-on learning strategies to support student engagement and growth.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, including those needing
intervention or enrichment.
• Integrate kindergarten readiness skills to ensure a smooth transition to elementary school.
Assessment & Data Use
• Conduct ongoing assessments to monitor student progress and inform instruction.
• Maintain accurate records of student development and readiness benchmarks.
• Use assessment data to provide targeted interventions and support individual learning plans.
Classroom Environment
• Create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive classroom environment that supports positive behavior
and learning.
• Establish consistent routines and clear expectations for student behavior.
• Promote independence, cooperation, and problem-solving skills among students.
• Family & Community Engagement
• Build strong partnerships with families to support student learning and development.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding student progress and readiness.
• Provide resources and strategies to families to reinforce learning at home.
Collaboration
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• Work collaboratively with elementary staff, early childhood teams, and support services.
• Participate in professional learning communities and staff meetings.
• Coordinate with specialists (e.g., special education, speech, interventionists) to support
student needs.
Compliance & Program Requirements
• Ensure compliance with School Readiness and VPK program guidelines and regulations.
• Maintain required documentation, including attendance, assessments, and program reports.
• Participate in required professional development and training.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level/type, as needed.
Section III: Work Requirements and Characteristics
EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum education required to perform adequately in
position could reasonably be attained only by completing the following:
Required Education/Training (Choose One)
Less than high school diploma Degree Information:
Valid Minnesota Teaching license (required) High school diploma or GED
1 year college 2 years college Major Field of study or degree emphasis:
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education B-G3,
Preprimary 3-PK, or related field (required)
3 years college X 4 years college
1st year graduate level
Essential knowledge:
• Demonstrate professionalism and a
commitment to student success.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to
district policies and procedures.
• Support a positive school culture focused on
early learning and readiness.
• District policies and procedures.
• Techniques and practices for efficient and
cost-effective management of resources.
• Principles and techniques of making
effective oral presentations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
2nd year graduate level
Required Work Experience in Addition to Formal Education/Training:
• Experience working with preschool-aged children in a structured setting.
• Knowledge of School Readiness and/or VPK programming preferred.
License/Certification Identify licenses/certifications required upon hiring:
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Essential Skills
Required to
Perform the
Work
Skilled in:
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and best practices.
• Ability to design engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction.
• Effective classroom management and behavior support skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team. Evaluating workflow and
effectively prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Good presentation skills, both oral and written.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operating a personal computer using standard and specialized software.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals,
objectives and activities.
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: Indication according to essential duties/responsibilities.
Employee is required to: Never Occasionally
1-33%
Frequently
34-66%
Continuously
66-100%
Stand x
Walk x
Sit x
Use hands dexterously x
Reach with hands and arms x
Climb or Balance x
Stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl x
Talk or Hear x
Taste or Smell x
Physical (Lift & Carry):
Up to 10 pounds
x
Up to 25 pounds x
Up to 50 pounds x
Up to 75 Pounds x
Up to 100 pounds x
More than 100 pounds x
* Requires active engagement with young children, including sitting, standing, and movement throughout
the day.
*Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and
responsibilities to this job at any time.
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
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