SUMMARY OF POSITION: To provide a safe, fun, and appropriate learning environment for pre-school children ages three to five. Assist teacher in lesson planning, child assessment and providing experiences which foster children’s learning. Assists in a classroom of 14-16 children

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

These are the most significant performance factors involved with this position and they will be the principal factors on which the employee will be evaluated:

1. Use available resources and opportunities in order to improve his/her knowledge and capacities in early childhood education.

2. From time of employment, the employee has one year to acquire a CDA and will be encouraged to actively pursue the educational requirements as described in the “Teacher” job description.

3. Expand the child's ability to learn and grow in his/her environment by doing the following:

a. Helping children develop the ability to effectively handle feelings and to get along with others, making it possible for them to cope with present and future circumstances; Teach and model pro-social behavior.

b. Providing stimulation and developing materials and activities that will promote children's gross motor, fine motor, and sensory development;

c. Providing adequate experiences for children's cognitive and language development in preparation for their school and life experience;

d. Providing a safe, healthy, and well-managed learning environment so that children will have a comfortable learning and growing experience;

e. Providing experiences and giving responses that create an atmosphere of acceptance, support, and encouragement which fosters the development of a positive self-concept and children's individual strengths;

4. Provide input in the creation of lesson plans with the Teacher by using the Creative Curriculum materials and TLC activities.

5. Occasionally, a child who has not yet been picked up will remain after program hours. Teacher’s Assistants will follow established steps specified in Authorized Child Pick-up Procedure. PM (afternoon) teachers must remain with the child until he/she has been picked up.

6. Apply developmentally appropriate best practice in the classroom.

7. Will relate with parents, children, Center staff and the public in a manner that is friendly, courteous, helpful and respectful.

8. Provide a balance of staff directed and student directed activities.

9. Maintain accurate daily attendance and meal records.

10. Develop positive relationships with parents, supporting their strengths and acknowledging the parents’ role as the experts on their child.

11. Maintain current and continuous classroom records including, but not limited to: individual child skill mastery, child assessment, anecdotal notes and observations within the Teaching Strategies GOLD system.

12. Relate positively with all Center staff to acquire necessary resources, process conflicts and join in common tasks which support the overall Center program.

13. Attend meetings and trainings required by the Supervisor and participate fully, respectfully and constructively.

14. Maintain professional conduct at all times while representing the Center.

15. Assist in developing an Individual Education Plan for each child that is based on parent input, results of observations, screening and assessment results during Parent/Teacher conferences.

16. Ensure full inclusion of all children with special needs.

17. Regular, dependable attendance is a critical performance factor to ensure consistent, high quality services to children and families.

18. Maintain the highest level of sanitation for your classroom and bathroom following the Center’s Safety & Sanitation Policy.

19. Willingly perform other related duties as assigned by the Supervisor

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma or GED required;

2. Must have a CDA or willing to actively pursue CDA with completion within 1 year of hire.

3. Must be able to work cooperatively with co-workers, supervisor, children and parents; work references will be required.

4. Must be able to lift weight of a child without injury to self.

5. Must pass medical, Criminal Records and Child Abuse/Neglect background checks.

6. Must have or obtain CPR, 1st Aid and maintain current thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience in early childhood education setting strongly preferred

2. Experience working in multi-cultural setting

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

1. Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

1. Possesses basic math skills

REASONING SKILLS:

1. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognize situations in which confidentiality is required

2. Ability to establish and maintain effective, supportive and respectful relationships with children, parents, staff, consultants and the public

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

1. Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds is required

2. Position requires standing, sitting and kneeling

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

1. Work is performed in ad educational setting with some exposure to illnesses, stress and frequent interruptions

2. The noise level in the environment is moderate

3. Frequent communication with employees, children, parents and others on a daily basis, including telephone as well as face to face interaction.

CODE OF ETHICS:

Must be willing to accept and adopt the Code of Ethics required of all Early Learning employees