1st Class PreK Teacher Assistant Job Opening

Primary Summary:

The Pre-K Teacher Assistant provides support to the instructional program within assigned Prekindergarten classroom with specific responsibility for working with individual and/or small groups of students; and providing clerical support to teacher/s. Assistant teachers must enter data in Teaching Strategies Gold for individual students. They indulge in adapting classroom activities for the purpose of reinforcing classroom goals and objectives. The assistant teacher must assist with weekly planning of instruction. Pre-k assistant teachers receive their daily instructions from teachers, who provide them with information on what a class is going to be taught on a particular day or through the week or month. They assist teachers in handling individual students and groups of students by imparting lessons. They assist young students with assignments and manage student behavior within a classroom and on the playground. It is also the duty of a pre-k assistant teacher to handle ancillary work such as creating materials for class instruction. This may include making posters, cutouts and flashcards. They also help teachers in managing students during activities such as sports, and field trips.

Essential Functions:

• Time management skills, ability to follow oral and written instruction; reading ability to work independently with or without supervision.
• Ability to discern stages of child development/age appropriate activities
• Knowledge of safety rules in the work place.
• Ability and will to work with a significant diversity of individuals and perform effectively as a team member.
• Basic computer skills to enter student data, attendance, and other data entry programs.
• Assists pre-kindergarten students individually or in groups with lesson assignments for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Implements, under the supervision of the teacher, the instructional program and lesson plans
• Monitors individual students, classroom, playground activities, etc. to ensure a safe and positive learning environment
• Learns and maintains knowledge of policies
• Performs routine record keeping and reports and clerical functions using Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive data and information pertaining to individual students and/or overall program.

Measure of Performance: Quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed. Gains the trust and respect of the children and families, staff, and co-workers. Communicates effectively (written and verbally); responsive to the requests and information needs of the Partnership; problem solver; creative thinker; quality of the example set for other employees, team player, commitment and loyalty to the Partnership; maintenance of confidential information.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• Must possess a Child Development Association credential (CDA) OR at least 9 credit hours of college coursework in the field day of Early Childhood Education or Child Development from a regionally accredited institution.
• Experience working with pre-school age children is preferred.
• Ability to carry out tasks requiring moderate physical exertion.
• Background clearance through FBI and ABI processes.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Successful completion of background and Child Abuse and Neglect screening.
• Acquire and maintain the following certifications prior to start date via YMCA, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI):
• First Aid/ CPR /AED (valid 2 years unless otherwise noted)
• Requisite Redwoods Online Training Modules (completed prior to start date and repeated annually).

Physical Demands:

• Physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity are required to perform job responsibilities.