Preschool Director

Purpose and Scope

Immaculate Conception School is a great Catholic community ministering to children within the parish and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. We are seeking a great Preschool Director. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are dedicated to fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and we hold a strong commitment to becoming disciples in the world.

Under the general supervision of the school principal, the preschool director strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education; assumes responsibility for leadership; works as a member of the preschool team; develops an appropriate learning and social environment; evaluates the needs of each student; evaluates and reports student progress; ensures compliance with Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS) Rule 3 licensing requirements; establishes positive school community relationships; continues professional development; performs other job-related tasks as deemed necessary and/or assigned by the principal.

Essential Job Functions

Strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education

• Shows evidence of the Catholic philosophy of education
• Promotes Gospel values and Catholic moral teachings
• Upholds the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church
• Exemplifies Catholic living both in and out of the classroom

Assumes responsibility for the leadership of the program

• Maintains licensure and accreditation in accordance with MN DHS Rule 3
• Ensures compliance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245A (Human Services Licensing Act) and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 9503 (Child Care Licensing)
• Monitors safety of students, staff, and facilities
• Provides operational and philosophical leadership
• Oversees training and supervision of preschool staff, ensuring compliance with DHS-required staff qualifications and training hours
• Collaborates with principal to prepare and manage the budget
• Collaborates with principal to manage marketing and enrollment
• Collaborates with principal on strategic planning
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, child development, and early childhood education standards
• Supervises staff in providing daily instruction and learning activities appropriate to student needs
• Supervises staff in establishing learning outcomes and educational objectives based on developmentally appropriate practices
• Ensures staff-to-child ratios and group size limits comply with DHS licensing standards
• Reviews curriculum materials and ensures alignment with Catholic values and DHS requirements
• Reviews and evaluates lesson plans
• Ensures staff meet required continuing education and training as per DHS guidelines
• Models a professional, respectful, and positive attitude
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility
• Demonstrates good judgment in daily encounters
• Coordinates with parish staff

Leads the preschool team

• Facilitates staff meetings
• Facilitates trainings, including DHS-required professional development hours
• Participates in community activities
• Maintains a professional attitude
• Demonstrates positive communication skills

Oversees an appropriate learning and social environment

• Supports staff in creating a meaningful, functional learning environment
• Supports staff in creating a Catholic community within the classroom and school environment
• Supports staff in developing an environment that promotes learning and social interaction
• Ensures the safety, welfare, and care of each student in compliance with MN DHS health and safety regulations
• Ensures proper maintenance of attendance records, health and safety logs, and DHS-required documentation

Manages staff in evaluating the needs of all students

• Responds to teacher referrals regarding student needs
• Consults with outside professionals as needed
• Reviews observation and documentation on student development

Manages staff in the evaluation and reporting of student progress

• Reviews staff observation and documentation of student progress
• Communicates with parents
• Supports staff at conferences
• Ensures compliance with MN DHS developmental screening and assessment requirements

Establishes positive school community relationships

• Works collaboratively in partnership with parents
• Coordinates and promotes school events and school programming
• Maintains professionalism and is a role model of Catholic faith

Participates in professional development

• Maintains knowledge of current instructional practices
• Participates in professional activities and in-services
• Maintains membership in professional organizations
• Attends and participates in school and diocesan-sponsored faculty meetings, in-services, and staff development opportunities
• Ensures compliance with MN DHS continuing education requirements for child care program directors

Performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the principal

Minimum Qualifications

• Catholic
• Preference given to active parishioners
• Meets Essential 3 requirements of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (Virtus Training, Background Check, Code of Conduct)
• Complies with Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing requirements for Preschool Director, including:
  • Minimum education and experience requirements per DHS Rule 3, such as a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field
  • Required training in child development, health and safety, and supervision
  • Meets annual continuing education requirements
  • Ensures staff comply with DHS-mandated CPR, First Aid, and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)/Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training
• Must meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Credentials for Preschool Director
• CPR and First Aid certified within 90 days of hire

Please apply at http://careers.archspm.org when you get to the page in the location section type Columbia Heights.

Please email a letter of interest, resume and letters of recommendation to Principal James (Jim) Glaser at jglaser@immac-church.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jim Glaser at 763-788-9065, ext. 220.