Educational Support Staff (Teacher Assistants and Substitutes) Job Opening

POSITION:

Educational Support Staff (Teacher Assistants and Substitutes)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interact, initiate, and encourage children in daily activities, leading their own small groups, sharing and learning from each other.
• Carry out curriculum developed by teachers which is reflective of the children’s ages, experiences, needs and interests, including awareness in all areas of child development.
• Use a variety of teaching strategies to encourage learning, following the individual child’s lead and approach to learning.
• Maintain a high quality early childhood program.
• Use a positive and appropriate approach always using consistent techniques to assist with children’s behaviors.
• Facilitate a sense of self-regulation and responsibility intervening as needed to guide children to settle disputes/differences and to ensure safety at all times.
• Serve meals and snacks and comply with CACFP regulations (i.e. family-style serving, complete required training, monitor meal portions, conduct meal counts, etc.).
• Maintain positive communication with parents and make each feel comfortable and secure at the center.
• Assist in maintaining a positive classroom environment (both indoors and outdoors) based on the needs of the children.
• Adapt to working collaboratively as a team with all teaching staff in the center. Work as a collaborative member of a team, being flexible to meet the needs of the families and program.
• Assist teachers in record keeping & on-going observations and assessments of children’s health, behavior, and development.
• Share information with colleagues which will allow for continuity of care.
• Offer suggestions/information about children; effectively communicating to Lead Teacher & Director any concern/situations observed.
• Adapt to various classroom schedules and operations as designed by Lead Teachers.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to relate joyfully and sensitively with children and to work well with all ages of enrolled children (12 months to 5 years old).
• Able to approach work with families in an empathetic, nonjudgmental, respectful and professional manner.
• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate and best educational practices support by research and evaluation.
• Knowledge of NAEYC Accreditation Criteria and Quality practice.
• Good communication skills; written and verbal.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Knowledge of how to include children with special needs in every aspect the day’s routine and learning.
• Ability to be self-directed and also take direction.
• Ability to handle crisis situations.
• Commitment to maintain strict confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all times.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Preschool Classrooms (3-5 yr olds)

Prior to 9/30/2013, preference will be given to candidates who:

• Are currently enrolled in a CDA or degree program or
• Hold a CDA or

After 9/30/2013,

• Hold an Associate or Bachelor’s degree
• Must be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed within 2 years or
• Hold a CDA or
• Hold an Associate or Bachelor’s degree (in any area) or be enrolled in a program leading to such a degree.

Toddler Classrooms (1-3 yr olds)

• Minimum Infant/Toddler CDA
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in other field with demonstrated coursework in early childhood development, preferably infant/toddler development that meets CDA coursework requirements.

Consideration may be given to applicants with other degrees.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED and
• Have a minimum of 6 months documented experience working in a paid or volunteer position in an early childhood setting and
• Submit a current Fingerprint Clearance Card on hire OR pass a Criminal History Background Check prior to beginning employment and submit the Fingerprint Clearance Card after hire and
• Pass an agency paid physical exam and
• Successfully complete pediatric CPR and First Aid within 6 weeks of hire.

POSITION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Please review the requirements listed below to determine if you can work in the above capacity.

Frequently:

• Stooping, bending
• Up and down from 12” – 14” chairs
• Up and down from carpeting
• Moving quickly around objects
• Lifting of up to 50 lbs

May also do the following:

• Run, jump, jog
• Push and pull up to 25 lbs. force
• Stepping up and down of up to 17” in height