Preschool Director & Teacher

St. Joseph Catholic STEM school in Waconia is seeking a passionate, joyful, and qualified Preschool Director & Teacher to lead, manage, and teach in our preschool program, which consists of a toddler program and three- and four-year-old programs. This unique role involves overseeing daily operations, licensing, curriculum development, enrollment management, and staff leadership, while also teaching in the preschool classroom. The ideal candidate will foster both academic and spiritual growth in our youngest students in alignment with our Catholic faith and STEM-focused curriculum.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management (Director Duties):

• Licensing and Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all state licensing and regulatory requirements for early childhood education programs.
• Curriculum Development: Design and implement age-appropriate, faith-based STEM curricula in alignment with Catholic teachings.
• Staff Management: Assist school administration in recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluating preschool staff, including teachers and aides, ensuring all staff are equipped to provide high-quality care and education.
• Enrollment and Admissions: Drive enrollment growth by engaging with prospective families and managing the admissions process, including tours, open houses, and marketing initiatives.
• Budget and Operations: Work with the school’s leadership team and operations team to develop and manage the preschool budget, ensuring financial viability. Oversee tuition billing and reporting.
• Parent Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for preschool parents, providing regular updates on student progress, program developments, and upcoming events. Foster strong relationships with families.
• Program Integration: Collaborate with the broader school leadership team to ensure alignment of the preschool program with the overall mission and vision of the school.
• Event Planning: Plan and manage preschool-specific events, including family engagement activities and celebrations of Catholic feast days.
• Safety and Environment: Maintain a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for all students, ensuring the program adheres to state codes and health/safety standards.

Teaching (Teacher Duties):

• Classroom Instruction: Plan and deliver engaging lessons that meet the developmental needs of preschool students, integrating Catholic values and STEM principles.
• Student Development: Support students' academic, social, and emotional growth, ensuring differentiated instruction to meet individual student needs.
• Classroom Management: Maintain a well-organized, disciplined, and nurturing classroom environment, implementing strategies to manage student behavior and promote positive learning outcomes.
• Faith Formation: Incorporate Catholic teachings and practices into daily lessons, encouraging students' participation in prayer, liturgy, and religious activities.
• Professional Development: Engage in professional development opportunities to continually improve teaching skills and stay informed on best practices in early childhood education.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Licensure: Valid Minnesota Early Childhood Education teaching license or equivalent credentials.
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Faith Commitment: A practicing Catholic with a commitment to integrating the Catholic faith into all aspects of the preschool experience.
• STEM Curriculum: Experience with STEM curriculum development or a willingness to learn and implement STEM programming for preschool students.

Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, and the broader school community.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to brichards@stjosephwaconia.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.