Preschool Teacher

Job Description

A Preschool Teacher instructs children, normally up to 5 years of age, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school. This position also plans and develops classroom materials and activities for preschool children and meets with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs for learning development.

This position typically reports to the Director of the Department of Preschool For Creative Learning, or other appropriate administrator. This is a professional instructional position supporting an academic department, college, or office on a USF campus. This position requires considerable contact with children, parents and other staff members to attain common goals. This position exercises active listening, instructing, reading comprehension, learning strategies, writing, social perceptiveness, time management, monitoring and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Organize and lead classroom activities designed to promote physical and social development of preschool children, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
• Teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene and social skills.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior, and procedures for maintaining order.
• Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and imaginative play.
• Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teaching assistants.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• Perform other assigned duties such as assistance in special events, fundraising, and participation in professional conferences.

Qualifications

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent and one year of experience with childcare and/or customer service.

Degree Equivalency Clause:
Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.

• Senate Bill 1310
- The Florida Senate (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.

• SB 1310:
Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements

• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree

• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.

• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No.

1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50…