Preschool Assistant Teacher

The Organization

Rooted in South Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance (GPCA) is the result of a strategic merger between Diversified Community Services (DCS) and United Communities Southeast Philadelphia (UCSEP). Both organizations share a long history in the settlement house movement of the late 1800s.

Over the last several years, DCS and UCSEP have experienced a resurgence and extraordinary growth. We have earned a reputation as an entrepreneurial trailblazer by capturing the regard of colleagues and funders, locally and nationally. GPCA's mission is to break the generational poverty cycle by ensuring equitable resource distribution for vulnerable children, families, and communities. We aim to be Philadelphia's catalyst for community empowerment, partnership, and the upward mobility of families and communities. We are committed to a nonprofit model that promotes social enterprise, an inspiring and safe environment, and a team-oriented culture.

GPCA'scurrent operating budget is approximately $24 million, with 200 employees across more than nine programs and eight locations.

GPCA's programming areas include:

• For young children: Early childhood education
• For school-age youth: Out-of-school time programming (after school and summer camp) and case management for at-risk youth
• For adults: Employment training, parenting education, energy assistance programs, housing counseling programs, and financial literacy; and
• For the community at large: Affordable housing and community economic development

Building on this solid platform, DCS and UCSEP's strategic merger to become GPCA will strengthen our mission impact, fill our need to expand community impact across South Philadelphia and beyond, and increase our organizational stability.

GPCA has been a leader in early childhood education for 42 years. GPCA's childcare centers are nationally recognized and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC sets the standard for quality early education with rigorous requirements and regulations regarding programming, staffing, and family and community involvement. GPCA's centers have also obtained Keystone STAR 4 ratings. The Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s program to improve the quality of early learning. It is a voluntary program that recognizes Department of Public Welfare (DPW) regulated childcare providers who exceed state health and safety certification requirements. The Keystone STARS is a nationally recognized quality rating system beginning at STAR One and progressing up through Two, Three, and Four.

Position Overview:

The assistant teacher is responsible for assisting the Lead Teacher with maintaining the daily operations of his/her assigned classroom and supervision supervisingthe assigned children. There will be occasions when the application of duties of this position will extend beyond the normal physical structure of the center. Sometimes, some lifting of objects and children may be necessary. This position requires the person to perform written documentation of activities, incidents/accidents, as well as, conversations with parents and student behavior.

Key Responsibilities:

• The teacher cares for the children under the guidance and supervision of the group supervisor in order to meet the developmental needs of the children.
• The teacher must know and understand standards in accordance to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Human Services, NAEYC, Keystone STARS, and any other governing bodies.
• Provides the children with routine interactions that promote the well-being (comfort, health, and safety) of the children as prescribed by the agency and center’s written and oral policies and practices.
• Assist the group supervisor with developing and implementing an action plan that addresses a specific developmental need of children.
• Encourage the children to engage in activities that will enable them to develop and enhance their fine and gross motor skills, their cognitive skills, their language skills, and their social skills.
• Provide input for the planning of lesson plans and daily activities and engage in the implementation of those plans and activities.
• Keep the classroom clean, neat, safe, and inviting.
• Actively engage with children in order to provide guidance as they learn and process information.
• Communicate with parents, children, co-workers and community persons in a cordial and professional manner.
• Provide routine information to parents concerning their children (accidents, activities, problematic concerns and health issues). Discuss unusual/severe concerns/problems with the program director.
• Assist with maintaining separate anecdotal records in each child’s folder along with their L.A.P., IPP/IEP and any other pertinent information.
• Assist with maintenance of the daily roll book and food forms according to established rules and procedures.
• Keep the group supervisor, program and center director abreast of all needs, concerns and issues regarding the children, parents and staff.
• Prepare and maintain each student's portfolio, including assessments, antidotal notes, sample of work, progress reports and parent/teacher conferences.
• Adhere to policies and procedures of diversified Community Services.
• Keep center management and lead teacher abreast of all needs, concerns, and issues regarding children, parents, and staff.
• Teacher must maintain professional development requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Development/Training Requirements:

• 24 PQAS hours per school year
• Competition of the following trainings are required:
• Health & Safety
• Mandated Reporter
• CPR & First Aide
• Fire Safety

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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. We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Other related skills: The ability to communicate with all levels of the organization and with other service providers is essential.

Minimum Education and Experience

Child Development Associate (CDA), AA in ECE preferred along with two years of experience teaching young children

Work Locations

WESTERN LEARNING CENTER DIXON LEARNING ACADEMY 1613 SOUTH STREET 2201 MOORE STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19146 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19145

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three (3) references

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $17.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Early childhood education: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (CDA) (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18