School Readiness Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: School Readiness Instructor
Position Starts: 8-2026; 8 hours per day.
Location: Liberty Elementary (Big Lake Community Education)
About Big Lake Schools: At Big Lake Schools, we pride ourselves on being the perfect size. We are small enough to offer the many benefits that come with being a small school district, but we are large enough to be able to offer exceptional programming that only large districts are able to offer.  We have a student population of 3100 spread across four schools; Liberty (EC-2), Independence (3-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12).
Big Lake Schools is always looking for future employees who:

• Have a strong work ethic
• Are energetic and passionate about their work
• Enjoy working collaboratively
• Embrace technology as a core tool in their everyday lives
• Recognize the importance of education

If the above attributes sound like you, we encourage you to consider becoming a Hornet!
Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Early Childhood Coordinator, the School Readiness Instructor is responsible for planning, preparing and implementing lesson plans to present district SR curriculum in order to prepare children with the skills necessary for kindergarten success; assessing, evaluating, recording, & using assessment data children using MDE approved assessment tool for prekindergarten children
Essential functions of the job include the following:
Develops, plans, and prepares lesson plans and support activities to present approved district curriculum in accordance with district goals and objectives and MDE Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota's Early Learning Standards for children ages 3-5, not yet in kindergarten. Incorporates developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children in the instructional domains of: personal & social development; language & literacy; mathematical thinking; scientific thinking; social studies; the arts; and physical development; consistent with the curriculum of the program. Collaboratively work with ECSE Staff.
Provides classroom instruction incorporating all of the above elements by:

Teaching specific learning objectives
Teaching at appropriate levels of difficulty
Providing individualized instruction
Employing various "Best Practice" teaching techniques & methods
Establishing an environment conducive to learning by clearly communicating expectations of behavior and a consistent daily classroom structure
Encouraging student responsibility, cooperation, and mutual respect in an environment that is inclusive of all children

 
-Assesses student progress using authentic ongoing assessment tool approved by MDE. Uses individual and class student assessment data to determine the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional plans, techniques, and goals. Assess/plan/develop interventions for children who are struggling with behavior issues.
-Provides instructional leadership to other support staff in classroom involved with providing support activities and functions: assigns activities, provides guidance, and instructional oversight. Orients and provides guidance & oversight to parent volunteers helping in the classroom. Attend IEP meetings for ECSE children.
-Discusses student progress, assessment data, observations, strengths, concerns, areas for improvement, curriculum, or other pertinent issues of the student, family, and school with student parent/guardians during parent-teacher conferences and as needed. Collaborates with other agencies, ECFE/SR Coordinator, other educational professionals; provides recommendations to parent/guardians and makes appropriate referrals to other agencies such as Social Services, STARS, mental health practitioners, ECFE and other school district programs, and the Sherburne-Northern Wright Special Education Co-op.
Education Training and Experience Requirements: Requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with coursework in child development, early childhood, and early childhood education. May consider applicants with Associate Degree in early childhood development or similar area plus a minimum of five years directly applicable experience in instruction of pre-school and/or early childhood students.
License Requirements: MN Teaching license required, or the ability to obtain by August 2025.
Application Procedure:  Candidates may apply for this opportunity via the school website at www.biglakeschools.org
Salary and Benefits: 
The salary range for the position is outlined on page 54 this agreement.  
The benefits for this position are outlined in this district benefit guide and this group benefit summary.
Big Lake Schools is an equal opportunity employer: applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.