Use this template for public school prekindergarten teachers. States set their own pre-K licensure, and some require an early childhood credential on top of a teaching certificate, so list the options you accept.
Job summary
The prekindergarten teacher at [Campus name] leads a [full-day / half-day] classroom of [3- / 4-year-old] students, planning play-based and explicit instruction aligned to [your state's early learning standards]. The teacher builds early literacy, math and social-emotional skills, works closely with families and supervises the classroom aide.
Duties and responsibilities
- Plan and teach daily lessons aligned to [your state's early learning standards] across literacy, math, science, social studies and social-emotional development.
- Use the district's early childhood assessment to track progress and adjust instruction.
- Create a safe, well-organized classroom with consistent routines and learning centers.
- Support students with disabilities and emergent bilingual students, following IEPs and language plans.
- Communicate with families through conferences, home visits or regular updates.
- Supervise and coordinate with the classroom aide.
- Maintain required records and follow health, safety and supervision procedures.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree and a valid [state] certificate for the pre-K assignment.
- Any additional early childhood qualification your state requires, as listed below.
Preferred
- Bilingual or ESL certification.
- Experience teaching 3- or 4-year-olds.
Certification and requirements
- License. Name the certificate your state accepts for a pre-K assignment, usually an early childhood or elementary license.
- Early childhood qualifications. Public pre-K programs often require an early childhood degree, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or similar. List the ones your state and program accept.
- Background check under your state's rules.
Texas requirements
- Certificate. Certificates that allow a general education pre-K assignment include Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: EC-6 and Early Childhood: PK-3, along with bilingual and special education variants (19 TAC §231.3).
- One additional qualification. Under Texas Education Code §29.167 (opens in a new tab), each pre-K teacher must also have one of: an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field; a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or another approved early childhood credential; Montessori certification; at least eight years teaching in a nationally accredited child care program or Texas Rising Star program; or another qualification the rules allow, such as Texas School Ready training.
- Staffing ratio. The same statute sets a target of at least one qualified teacher or aide for every 11 students.
- Standards. Name the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines in the summary.
- Background check through SBEC.
Schedule, pay and terms
- Contract: [probationary / term] contract on the district teacher salary schedule.
- Pay: $[amount or range], plus [early childhood or bilingual stipend].
- Class: [number] students with [one aide].
- Start date: [date].
How to adapt this description
- List every additional qualification you accept, so candidates with a CDA or Montessori background don't rule themselves out.
- Say whether the program is full-day, and whether it serves 3-year-olds.
- Name the curriculum and assessment you use.