Early Education Assistant Teacher (Paraprofessional)

Title: Early Education Assistant Teacher

(Including Substitute Assistant Teacher)

Title: Paraprofessional (Teacher’s Assistant)

Overview: The teacher’s assistant shall be a born-again Christian who feels called by God to the teaching profession. Other qualifications may be added by the board as deemed appropriate.

Reports to: Director of Operations and/or Director of Early Education (if Early Education Assistant)

Evaluation: Paraprofessional performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board’s policy on evaluation of professional personnel and this job description. Details are found in the Staff/Teacher Handbook. 

Status: Part-Time

Schedule: Teacher’s assistants will be on campus Mon/Wed/Fri. Assistant teachers will help with summer childcare for a limited amount of days (usually 4 days per summer) and you have a choice about which summer days/weeks work for you. 

BASIC FUNCTION: 

The teacher’s assistant will be expected to support the preschool (Ages 1-3) classroom teacher in the use of effective teaching techniques to achieve curriculum goals and affect student learning, to integrate Biblical principles and a Christian philosophy of education throughout the curriculum, and to role model a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ. Assistant teachers serve as the primary substitute if the lead teacher is absent and is expected to teach all subjects following the substitute plans provided by the teacher.

Required Personal Qualities

The paraprofessional shall:

1. Have received Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior.
2. Believe that the Bible is God’s Word and standard for faith and daily living.
3. Be in whole-hearted agreement with Covenant Christian Academy’s Statement of Faith (Doctrinal Position).
4. Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech, and actions toward others.  (Luke 6:40)  This includes being committed to God’s biblical standards for sexual conduct.
5. Be a Christian who is, and will remain during the period of employment, an active member of a Christ-centered church, growing in his/her Christian relationship with God, and actively practicing and exhibiting Christian principles of the Christian faith; seek to role model in speech, actions, and attitude a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ; set an example of the importance of spiritual discipline; and encourage students in the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and growing in their faith.

Additional Personal Qualities

The paraprofessional shall:

1. Recognize the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their children’s education and be prepared to assist them in that task.
2. Demonstrate the character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality.
3. Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity, and optimism.
4. Maintain a personal appearance that is a Christian role model of cleanliness, modesty, good taste, and agreement with school policy.
5. Use acceptable English in written and oral communication.  Speak with clear articulation.
6. Respectfully submit and be loyal to constituted authority.
7. Notify the administration of any policy he/she is unable to support.
8. Refuse to use or circulate confidential information inappropriately.

Job Description – Essential Functions

The paraprofessional shall:

1. Reflect the purpose of the school, which is to honor Christ in every class and in every activity.
2. Cooperate with the board and administration in implementing all policies, procedures, and directives governing the operation of the school.
3. Serve as a substitute teacher in the event that the classroom teacher is unavailable. 
4. Follow directions given by the teacher and take initiative to find helpful ways to support the teacher in day-to-day tasks. 
5. Demonstrate organizational skills and can be trusted to complete assigned tasks/roles in a timely, effective manner (including, but not limited to, making copies, organizing incoming/outgoing red communication folders, and preparing classroom materials).
6. Integrate biblical principles and the Christian philosophy of education throughout daily support and instruction.
7. Keep proper discipline and classroom management in the classroom and on the school premises for a good teaching environment.
8. Support specialist teachers by being present and by providing additional effective classroom management techniques in all specials classes.  
9. Help with carline (pick up/drop off) and recess duties. 
10. Support the classroom teacher in maintaining a clean, attractive, well-ordered classroom.
11. Support the classroom teaching in maintaining regular and accurate attendance and grade records to meet the demands for a comprehensive knowledge of each student’s progress.
12. Follow established guidelines for dealing with students, parents, administration, and staff.
13. Recognize the need for good public relations.  Represent Covenant Christian Academy in a favorable and professional manner to Covenant Christian Academy’s constituency and the general public.
14. Develop and maintain rapport with students, parents, and staff by treating others with friendliness, dignity, and consideration.
15. Follow the principles of Matthew 18 in dealing with conflict with students, parents, staff, and administration.
16. Seek the counsel of the Administrator, faculty, staff, and parents while maintaining a teachable attitude.
17. Comply with all Covenant Christian Academy policies and procedures and attend and successfully complete all required meetings/trainings including but not limited to faculty meetings, devotions, and school functions.
18. Know the procedures for dealing with emergency situations.
19. Inform the administration in a timely manner if unable to fulfill any duty assigned. 

Job Description – Supplemental Functions

The paraprofessional shall:

1. Utilize educational opportunities and evaluation processes for professional growth.
2. Support the broader program of Covenant Christian Academy by attending extracurricular activities when possible.
3. Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the administration.

Job Description – Physical Requirements

The paraprofessional shall be able to:

1. Handle work which deals mostly with people, objects, equipment in a general setting; depth perception and field of vision are important.
2. Bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, pull, push, climb, and kneel; walking and standing approximately 50-75% of each shift.
3. Recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; ability to differentiate tones and volumes in conversation.
4. Use up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
5. Perform child restraint as necessary if that child is going to harm themselves or others if trained appropriately.
6. Perform duties with moderate to no supervision though the supervisor is usually available; most tasks are governed by standard practices, however some are not; therefore, innovative thinking is required.
7. Handle multiple tasks with energy and good organizational skills.
8. Drive assigned vehicle with appropriate state driver’s license; follow all laws applicable.
9. Maintain sufficient good health to properly discharge duties consistently; employees who have an infectious disease or skin lesion shall not be permitted to work for the duration of the communicability.

The purpose of this job description is to describe the basic function, major responsibilities/tasks, and essential functions of each job so that employees can better know what is expected of them.  The descriptions also provide information useful for recruiting, training, and performance appraisal.  This document does not create an employment contract, nor does it modify the at-will employment status of all employees.  This job description is not meant to inhibit employee creativity or innovation.  It may be revised when necessary.

Covenant Christian Academy makes no distinction in its employment, admission, or operating policies with regards to an individual’s race, color, or national and ethnic origin because we do realize that there can be no preferential treatment with God (Romans 2:11).