Open until filled.  This is a Regular, 8 hour/day position, budgeted for 192 days per school year, beginning with the 2026/27 school year.   The new employee will need to be available in July and August for specific training dates and to set up the Preschool classroom.    These days will be paid in addition to the 192 annualized days budgeted for this position.  

 

Application Process:

Current District Regular and Temporary Employees:

Submit your interest letter in TalentEd/Applicant Tracking.  

 

External Applicants (including Substitutes and District Coaches):

Complete an electronic TalentEd/Applicant Tracking application. Include the following (all materials need to be

included in your online application packet):  

• Letter of interest addressed to Kim Yasui, Mid Valley Elementary School Principal;
• Current resume;
• Three (3) recent letters of reference;
• Unofficial college transcripts or paraprofessional assessment test score report; official transcripts/score report will be required upon hire.

All materials need to be incorporated and uploaded into your TalentEd application. 

 

Job Purpose Statement: 

The Lead Instructor is responsible for the daily operations of a Preschool classroom. This role requires a high degree of administrative precision to maintain grant eligibility while delivering an evidence-based, culturally responsive curriculum. The Lead Instructor serves as the primary instructional coach for  preschool support staff and the lead advocate for Dual Language and Second Language Learners.

 

Additionally, the job is done for the purpose of facilitating student success in academic and interpersonal skills through implementing District approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress, activities, and outcomes; providing a safe and optimal learning environment and providing feedback regarding progress and goals. The Lead Instructor will instruct and supervise a diverse group of preschool students by establishing a positive, respectful learning environment while promoting high standards of performance for all preschool students regardless of their background and developmental levels. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Meets the standards of Competent and Ethical Performance as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 584-020-000 to 584-020-045).  Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks.  Essential duties of this position include the following. 

 

Grant Compliance & Data Collection

• Maintain student files in accordance with PSP grant standards, including updated immunization records, family income verification, and residency documents.
• Monitor and report daily attendance ; document all outreach efforts for students.
• Lead the classroom in achieving and maintaining its Spark (Oregon’s QRIS) rating by documenting evidence of high-quality environment and lead instructor/child interactions.
• Actively participate in DELC site visits, interviews, and "Desk Audits" to ensure continuous grant funding.
• Work with the Hub to manage vacancies and ensure the classroom serves those most in need.
• Ensure all documentation for EI/ECSE service hours is accurately recorded for grant reporting

Multi-Agency Collaboration & Referrals

• Coordinate directly with local elementary school staff (Principals, Kindergarten Teachers, and Title I Coordinators) to facilitate "Transition to Kindergarten" plans, ensuring student data and "Learning Stories" are shared to support a warm hand-off.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education staff.
• Schedule and participate in IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) meetings.
• Coordinate on-site therapy schedules (Speech, OT, PT) within the natural classroom environment.
• Ensure "Specially Designed Instruction" is integrated into daily lesson plans.
• Participate in cross-sector professional development with local school district staff to align Science of Reading strategies and ELD benchmarks from Pre-K through 3rd Grade.
• Proactively identify children needing developmental support and manage the referral process to ensure families access services without delay.

Mentorship & Support Staff Training

• Train and provide lead direction to Educational Assistants in the implementation of the Science of Reading (oral language development and phonemic awareness).
• Conduct quarterly "Growth Reviews" for support staff to assist them in progressing on the Oregon Registry (Step system).
• Model English Language Development (ELD) strategies for support staff to ensure consistent language support during meal times, transitions, and play.
• Train support staff on how to implement specific accommodations and modifications as outlined by EI/ECSE specialists.
• Model for assistants how to communicate effectively and professionally with district specialists and therapists.

Literacy & Dual Language Excellence

• Utilize systematic, explicit instruction to build foundational literacy, following the Oregon Early Literacy Framework.
• Ensure the classroom environment reflects the cultural and linguistic attributes of the community ; ensure all signage and key instructional materials are bilingual.
• Administer all required assessments to track developmental and academic milestones, ensuring observations are recorded in the child's dominant language.

General Instructional & Operational Duties

• Model and teach respect with an awareness of diversity.
• Vary and pace classroom strategies to accommodate different learning styles, actively involve students and maximize student engagement in meaningful learning.
• Effectively work with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting Lead Instructor’s expectations, developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Assists other Lead Instructors for the purpose of implementing curriculum.
• Use current body of knowledge in cultural diversity issues in teaching and curriculum development to design and adapt individual/group academic and behavior/social programs in all school settings.
• Collaborates with school personnel, parents and various community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
• Directs instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Assist school staff and administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student conduct, reinforce individual school’s plan for positive behavior support, develop reasonable rules for classroom behavior and utilize effective, proactive behavior management skills in all school settings.
• Participate in development and implementation of individual student plans (e.g., IEP, 504).
• Work as part of the school team to fully implement Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Monitors student activities (e.g. classroom, lunch, grounds, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Prepares teaching materials and reports (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and providing documentation of Lead Instructor and student progress.
• Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policy.

General Performance Requirements:

• Perform duties in a courteous and efficient manner that builds the confidence of staff, students and the public in the Hood River County School District and enhances learning.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and work activities, and is punctual in meeting deadlines, attending meetings, and following a schedule.
• Observe laws, district policies and procedures, and professional standards for this position.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with diverse student, parent and community populations.
• Carry out work responsibilities with strong organizational skills, effectively under pressure of deadlines, difficult situations, interruptions, and new or emergency conditions.
• Respect confidential information and the privacy of students, staff and parents.
• Collect, record, store, retrieve, assimilate, organize and utilize information and records electronically and by using traditional methods.
• Develop job skills necessary to meet changes in the position.
• Maintain personal appearance and hygiene appropriate to the position as defined by the district.
• Meet applicable district physical ability/health and safety guidelines for the position.
• Demonstrate understanding of Oregon’s "Every Child Belongs" policy, prioritizing the inclusion of children with disabilities and prohibiting suspension/expulsion.

Supervisory Responsibilities

All school employees have some responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.  This position does not supervise other employees.

 

Experience, Education, Knoweldge, Skills and Abilities:  

to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Possess an Associate’s Degree (AA) in Early Childhood Education or a related field OR successful passing of the ParaPro Assessment.   
• Ability to qualify for and maintain a Valid Oregon Central Background Registry.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Oregon Food Handler’s Card.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification.
• Proven experience managing grant-funded data collection.
• Bilingual/Multilingual English/Spanish proficiency required.
• Understanding of human growth and development patterns, learning theory and brain research.
• Content knowledge in subjects being taught.
• Familiarity with a variety of age appropriate instructional, assessment and classroom management strategies that reflect current research on best practices.
• Familiarity with state standards and curriculum frameworks for preschool and elementary school levels.
• Knowledge and experience with differentiated instruction.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of state and federal education laws and of student and staff rights.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism and effective human relations.
• Ability to effectively manage and supervise students and their work.
• Ability to direct the work of other staff members.

Required Testing:

Any offer of employment made by Hood River County School District to an external candidate is contingent upon satisfactory results of:

• Drug screening tests for any illegal drug or substance classified in Schedules I through V under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 811 to 812. This includes, but is not limited to, marijuana, mind-altering substances or narcotic drugs such as hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or any other illegal drug or controlled substance, except those federally recognized as legally prescribed by a physician and used as directed.
• May require a post offer physical abilities assessment.
• Nationwide criminal history verification - a background check for any convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Unless otherwise required by law, only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the applicant from employment.  
• Fingerprint-based nation-wide background clearance.

HOURLY PAY RANGE:

The hourly pay range for this position is listed below.  Employees who pass the District's English/Spanish bilingual test will receive a 5% per hour pay increase.