ECE and Elementary After-School Teacher

At Grace Place, we believe a family's story doesn't have to be defined by their beginnings. Every day, we work to change families futures 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 an ECE & Elementary After-School Teacher, you will play a vital role in creating nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environments for both young children and elementary school-aged students. Working alongside the Director of Early Childhood, Education, Elementary Program Manager, you will help bring the Grace Place Mission to life.

This is not simply a classroom role. It’s for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, finds purpose in supporting children and their families, and understands that meaningful educational experiences at every stage of childhood can lay the foundation for lifelong growth and success.

Together with the managers of the ECE and Elementary After-School programs, the ECE & Elementary After-School Teacher is responsible for planning, instruction, and assessment of high-quality, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate programming for both the morning Early Childhood Education program (approximately 27 hours per week) and the afternoon Elementary School-Aged After-School Program (approximately 13 hours per week). The teacher supports the academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of children across both programs while creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for every child.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

As an ECE & Elementary After-School Teacher, you will play a vital role in creating nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environments for both young children and elementary school-aged students.

This is not simply a classroom role. It’s for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, finds purpose in supporting children and their families, and understands that meaningful educational experiences at every stage of childhood can lay the foundation for lifelong growth and success.

What You'll Do:
Planning and Instruction

• Utilize Grace Place established curriculum, such as Creative Curriculum, to develop scope and sequence of instruction, daily lesson plans, and learning activities to promote early learning skills that can be carried over into the home.
• Create a developmentally appropriate classroom environment and select diverse instructional resources and differentiated methods to meet students’ individual needs.
• Implement PACT (Parent and Child Together) Time by building strong relationships with families, modeling, and coaching parents in effective strategies.
• Maintain a well-organized, DCF-compliant, safe and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of young children.
• Create whole group lessons and center-based learning centers to promote math and reading support for students.
• Provide academic support for students during homework time.
• Plan and implement enrichment activities for students such as art, technology, and fitness.

Assessment

• Observe and evaluate student performance and development; maintaining records of each child’s progress to be included in the Teaching Strategies Gold evaluations.
• Complete all required Grace Place evaluations and checkpoints accurately and on time.
• Incorporate student performance and progress into lesson planning to achieve mastery.
• Identify the needs of children and create appropriate interventions and referrals with the guidance of the program manager.
• Utilize student assessment data to plan for instruction
• Differentiate center-based learning centers based on individual needs

Volunteer Management

• Welcome, train, and manage volunteer involvement in the classroom.
• Model and coach volunteers in appropriate strategies for instruction and classroom management.
• Maintain high visibility and a hands-on presence with students, staff, volunteers, and parents who are participating in the program.

Communication

• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding their child’s progress and needs.
• Keep parents informed of daily activities and program expectations/changes.
• Report student outcomes to demonstrate student growth and program impact.
• Work collaboratively with co-teachers and manager to improve program quality.
• Conduct home visits, staff/parent conferences, and participate in the SAP parent events.

• Degree in education.
• Bachelor’s degree plus two years of instructional experience.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential plus two years of instructional experience.
• Associate degree with 12 credits in Early Childhood Education or Child Development plus two years of instructional experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bi-lingual, preferred (English/Spanish or English/Haitian Creole).
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse cultures and populations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite use of the internet, and basic computer skills sufficient to maintain program records and budgets, and communicate with parents, volunteers, partners, and community.
• Strong interpersonal skills and written communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission and core values of Grace Place.
• Current first aid and CPR certificates (can obtain within 90 days of employment).
• Able to pass background checks and FDLE fingerprinting.

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

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.