Overview

We are seeking a nurturing and passionate part-time (6:30 – 11:30 AM, 5 days/week) Preschool Instructor to join our early childhood education team at Our Savior Lutheran School (OSLS). The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of child development, a love for our Lord and working with young children, and the ability to create a stimulating and supportive learning environment. This position involves providing developmentally appropriate instruction, fostering social-emotional and spiritual growth, and preparing young learners for kindergarten at OSLS.

Responsibilities:

  • Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical needs of preschool-aged children.
  • Promote Christian religious practices through weekly attendance at worship services in your local parish.
  • Inculcate Christian values, beliefs, and ideas through the teaching of an approved religion curriculum.
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills, including budgeting, scheduling, record-keeping, and staff management are preferred, but not required.
  • Understanding of local, state, and federal regulations governing early childhood education programs, including licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and curriculum guidelines are preferred, but not required.
  • The ability to identify and address challenges and issues that may arise within the preschool program, such as behavior management, staffing issues, or parent concerns.
  • Knowledge of early childhood education curriculum frameworks and the ability to oversee the development and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning activities is preferred, but not required.
  • Create engaging and hands-on learning experiences that promote exploration, discovery, and creativity.
  • A commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with best practices, research, and trends in early childhood education.
  • Provide a supportive and nurturing classroom environment where children feel safe, valued, and respected.
  • Foster positive relationships with students, building trust and rapport through warmth, patience, and understanding.
  • Encourage language development through storytelling, conversations, songs, and rhymes.
  • Teach basic concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and pre-writing skills through play-based activities and structured lessons.
  • Incorporate sensory experiences, art, music, and movement into daily activities to stimulate children’s senses and enhance their learning.
  • Observe and assess children’s progress and development, documenting observations and sharing feedback with parents/guardians.
  • Collaborate with colleagues and support staff to create a cohesive and enriching learning environment.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with parents, including providing support and guidance, addressing concerns, and fostering open communication.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Associate’s degree or Child Development Associate credential may be accepted in some cases). Additionally, relevant certifications or credentials, such as a Director’s Credential will be considered as an additional asset.
  • Practicing Christian with an active membership in home parish.
  • Previous experience working with young children, preferably in a preschool or childcare setting is preferred, but not required.
  • Knowledge of early childhood development principles, theories, and best practices.
  • Understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and the ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of individual children.
  • Training and/or experience in classical education is preferred, but not required.
  • Patience, empathy, and a nurturing demeanor to support the social-emotional needs of young learners.
  • Creativity and enthusiasm for creating engaging and stimulating learning experiences.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact positively with children, parents, and colleagues.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage classroom activities and documentation effectively.
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with trends and research in early childhood education.

This job description outlines the essential responsibilities and qualifications for the Preschool Instructor position at Our Savior Lutheran School. Candidates who possess the necessary skills, qualifications, and passion for working with young children and are active members of their parish and practicing Christians are encouraged to apply.

About Our Savior Lutheran Church and School

Our Savior Lutheran School opened in 1990 when the previous LCMS-based school ministry, Martin Luther Lutheran School, was in the process of closing. The people of Our Savior believed in the value of Lutheran education, and, as the largest LCMS Lutheran Church in Louisville, understood their unique responsibility for making sure the children of the LCMS congregations had a place where they could continue their education. The congregation now has a long history of supporting the school, and some of the first called teachers to the school have just now begun to retire after having served nearly their entire career at Our Savior.

Over the years, Our Savior Lutheran Church has had a healthy representation in the student population of the school, and that continues to be the case with the majority of the church’s members sending their children to the school in addition to numerous students from sister congregations in Louisville. Even with the high percentage of Our Savior families sending their children to the school, the vast majority of the school’s students come from outside the denomination. Finally, the school includes students from secular families and those where English is a second language (specifically Indian and Japanese). Still, all students participate in weekly chapel services, religion classes, and all 7th and 8th grade students take part in confirmation class, although only those students who desire to become adult members of the LCMS participate in the rite of Confirmation.

Even with the challenge of a decline in Lutheran students, due in part to a decline in the birthrate of Lutheran families, Our Savior remains firmly committed to providing a Lutheran education that focuses on being rooted in Christ and his Word. Weekly chapel services, daily classroom devotions and Lutheran-based religion classes, and a Christ-centered focus in every subject area is integral to Our Savior’s philosophy of education. In keeping with a district resolution that was passed at the 2022 Indiana District Convention, Our Savior Lutheran School is looking to begin to integrate more classical education approaches to our curriculum, with the goal of fully transitioning to a classical school within the next five to seven years. Additionally, although it is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified candidates to call as teachers to the school, Our Savior remains committed to prioritizing synodical training as a leading criterion for employment, while recognizing that faithful Lutheran teachers who are willing to colloquy are also a blessing to God’s people, and therefore eligible to be contracted so long as they are committed to seeking synodical certification at the congregation’s expense. Our Savior Lutheran School is unabashedly Lutheran in its identity and is firmly dedicated to discipleship in the faith as the primary purpose for the school. In the end, we believe God will honor our commitment to our Lutheran ideals, and we will remain faithful to those ideals even as He has remained faithful to us during our 33 years of operation.