Title:

Educator - Early Childhood

Work Unit:

Early Childhood Center

Reports To:

Early Childhood Director with daily direction from Early Childhood Coordinator

Work Calendar:

195 days

Pay Schedule:

Early Childhood Educator

Overtime Status:

Exempt

Hours:

7.5 hours per day

Union Status:

NEA

Licensure

B-3 EARLY CHILDHOOD

Note: All positions with Santa Fe Public Schools require a post-offer/pre-employment background check. Some positions have additional requirements as established by federal or state rules and regulations.

General Function:
Plans, supervises, and implements a daily program for young children that promotes their learning, development, and personal growth while supporting the diverse needs and interests of their families. Creates a flexible program with the use of the New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines. Demonstrates flexibility with assigned duties to prioritize student safety and well-being. Provides an environment that is developmentally appropriate. Establishes positive rapport with children and families and communicates effectively with families on a daily basis. Fosters growth and development in early childhood education.

Education/Training/Experience
(Basic minimum requirements are subject to change from time to time to meet the needs of the District.)
Minimum: Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and two years of related work experience with infants to five-years-old. Must complete all required trainings within six months of employment.
Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, First Aid/CPR Certificate. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated general knowledge of curriculum and instruction. Demonstrated knowledge of various job-related tasks, duties, and procedures. Ability to follow specific instructions. Ability to exercise considerable and sound judgment to instruct children and manage their behaviors. Willingness to improve competency by participating in professional growth to remain current with the latest developments in the profession. Culturally and linguistically competent – welcomes diversity and accommodates all students and families. Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with children, peers and families. Must have skill in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all Early Childhood and District requirements and Board of Education policies. Knowledge of age appropriate early childhood instruction and willingness to loop with students. Knowledge of District policies on immunization, medication, first aid, emergencies, and child abuse/neglect. Ability to maintain the classroom, common areas, and outdoor environments to be organized and conducive to learning.

Essential Job Functions
Performs all functions in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change from time to time to meet the needs of the organization. Current essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Plans and implements a program of study that the individual needs, interests, and abilities of children and complies with NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) standards and benchmarks and the SFPS Board of Education goals and objectives.
Plans and implements developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
Delivers curriculum using appropriate materials and developmental frameworks.
Collaborate with Program Coordinator and other educators to ensure mandated student/educator ratios are kept in the center at all times.
Translates lesson plans into developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Communicates regularly with families and child's caregivers by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, conferences, etc.
Establishes open lines of communication with families concerning children's academic, social, and behavioral progress.
Establishes and maintains standards of children's behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
Evaluates children's learning goals and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
Identifies each child's needs, makes appropriate referrals, and develops strategies for individual education plans (Individualized Family Service Plans and Individual Education Programs).
Is available to children and families for education-related purposes outside the instructional day.
Will be required to change children's diapers and assist in appropriate potty-training techniques.
Plans and coordinates the work of paraprofessionals, parents, and volunteers in the classroom and on field trips.
Creates an environment for learning through functional and attractive learning centers, displays, and exhibits of children's work.
Collaborates with peers to enhance the instructional environment.
Collaborates with peers to develop common assessments.
Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with children, families, peers, and the community.
Cooperates in the development and implementation of developmentally appropriate Early Childhood instruction.
Establishes and maintains a classroom environment conducive to learning by fostering well-being for all children.
Communicates with families and initiates referrals to Child Find when concerns for a child's development, social behaviors, or general welfare arise.
Completes required documentation and portfolios and any state or district-required data.
Establishes open lines of communication with families concerning children's academic, social and behavioral progress.
Provides opportunities for family involvement and parenting education.
Provides lesson plans and materials needed by substitute teachers.
Provides support and works as a co-teacher with an instructional assistant when implementing observational assessments as well as developmentally appropriate activities for children.
Communicates with Early Childhood staff and attends professional development meetings.
Manages time to create lesson plans and documentation during the allotted time.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Salary Range:
AA $40,000
BA $50,000
MA $60,000

Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to):
A wide variety of instructional materials and resources including classroom electronic/digital equipment. Standard office equipment and software platforms such as Microsoft Office and the Google Suite.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
Regularly required to stand and move throughout a room and/or facility. Communicate verbally and electronically. Uses hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. Occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, and drive. May be required to frequently change diapers and lift children. May have occasion to perform heavy lifting up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and private automobile.

Environmental Conditions:
The teacher will be subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, noise, and hazards. Some sitting, standing, bending, and reaching may be required. Duties performed in typical school settings that include: music rooms, classrooms, gym, auditorium. Teacher will be subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, noise, and hazards.

Personal Accountability:

Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment including its capabilities, limitations and appropriate/ special application.
Protects the district's resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.

Santa Fe Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, medical/genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

2026-2027 SY: Educator - Early Childhood