GSRP Associate Teacher

Starting Wage: $13.15 per hour

SUMMARY: This position serves as the associate teacher in a classroom of GSRP children by providing instructional support in assisting with planning, developing and implementing lesson plans, goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Assist in the ongoing program evaluation using the Program Quality Assessment (PQA).
• Aid in creating meaningful program quality improvement goals and objectives using the PQA and other program data.
• Support in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the classroom program and child screening(s) & assessment(s).
• Provide instruction and overall care for a specific group of children.
• Collaborate with the teaching staff to create meaningful child development goals.
• Help in the daily operation of the program including certain clerical and record keeping duties.
• Assist in the development and implementation of interesting, stimulating, and challenging indoor and outdoor daily activities.
• Establish positive relationships with parents, staff and the community.
• Attend (with lead teacher) (2) home visits and (2) parent/teacher conferences annually for every child and family.
• Participate in professional development.
• Follow and implement the policies and procedures of the Great Start Readiness Program grant.
• Follow and implement the policies and procedures of the Department of Human Services Licensing Guidelines.
• Work with additional building staff (i.e. principal, secretary, custodian, food services) to ensure policies and procedures are being followed.
• Assure that children’s records remain confidential.
• Ensure and carry out daily/weekly housekeeping chores for the classroom licensing requirements.
• Interact with the children and families in a way which conveys respect and nurturing.
• Support the social and emotional development of children.
• It will be the associate teacher’s responsibility to play with children; this will often mean getting down on the floor to interact with them.
• Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be willing and able to obtain First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain annual certification.
Annually attend; Blood Borne Pathogen Class and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Course.
Have acceptable tuberculosis results.
A clear criminal record check as outlined by District, Program, and Licensing guidelines.
Have an initial physical health examination.
Complete the required annual amount of hours of training provided in and outside of the program.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Minimum: Associate’s degree in Early Childhood, Preschool Education, or Child Development OR a Valid Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).

• Experience working with preschool children.
• Experience working with persons from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.

• Displays strong problem solving skills as well as time management skills.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: An Associate’s degree in Early Childhood, Preschool Education, or Child Development. Valid Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedure, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, students, parents and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and present lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, school staff and parents; skills in oral and written communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other building is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

Must be able to lift or carry a child weighing up to 50 pounds away from a potentially dangerous situation during an emergency that may/may not include an evacuation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.