Teacher

FUNCTION:

The Co-Teacher in the Early Childhood Center supports the lead teacher in creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. This role involves assisting in implementing lesson plans, managing classroom activities, and fostering positive relationships with children, families, and staff. The Co-Teacher collaborates closely with the lead teacher to promote the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each child while maintaining a safe and inclusive classroom atmosphere. Flexibility, teamwork, and a passion for early childhood education are essential for success in this role.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Member Services

• Create a warm, welcoming environment for all members, guests, and staff
• Provide safe environment for all ages
• Act as representative of the program within the community

Curriculum Programming

• Implement developmentally appropriate programs and age appropriate curriculum based on childrens interests.
• Develop program that is balanced and complete including language, science, math, music, motor and Judaic components. Establish active, dynamic, integrated, theme-based learning centers to meet social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs of the children in the group
• Create a vibrant Jewish environment exposing children and parents to Jewish culture and tradition in an age appropriate manner
• Work cooperatively with teammates to coordinate all the joint administrative, housekeeping, curriculum planning and teaching functions to ensure a smooth, running, well ordered classroom

Facility Management

• Responsible for the care and cleaning of the equipment and the room along with outside playground
• Assure that the first aid stations in department have the necessary supplies; inform supervisor to order when necessary

Administration

• Communicate in a timely manner with team members changes to activities, room assignment etc.
• Maintain all records and statistical reports in a timely and confidential manner
• Keep parents informed of school activities
• Act as contact person for parents on a day-to-day basis about the development of their children
• Observe, document and report information pertaining to any unusual or special needs, circumstances or situations within the group to supervisor
• Understand the regulations governing the operation of a child day care center under which the State of CT licenses the program. Accurately record information on administrative records as required by the State including attendance, medication, authorizations, emergency forms, etc.
• Comply with CT regulations governing Mandated Reporting.
• Perform 2 conferences per school year with the grown up.
• Be familiar with programs and activities through Center
• Attend department and team meetings as required
• Attend workshops/conferences for professional growth as required by State of Connecticut (equivalent to 1% of annual hours worked)
• Willingness to perform other job duties, functions, responsibilities as needed, required or assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education required. CDA with experience may be considered.

Experience: 5 7 years year experience working with young children

Licensure: First Aid and CPR for children, Epi-pen and Medication Management required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with members, colleagues and staff demonstrating respect and dignity for the person
• Ability to consistently deliver quality customer service
• Ability to build strong relationships in a collaborative environment
• Must be able to handle emergency situations in a calm manner
• Must have the ability to enforce all facility rules and policies in a gentle but firm manner to people of all ages
• Willing to work within philosophical framework of program

SPECIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to meet physical needs of children, including lifting and carrying children 10-50 pounds, bending for prolonged periods of time, sitting on the floor or child size furniture, standing while supervising gym or playground activities