Assistant Teacher

Job Title: Assistant Teacher

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Early Childhood Services

Immediate Supervisor: Lead Teacher

During: Full Time (40 Hours/Week); School Year (42 weeks per year)

Date of Update: June 2024

Job Summary

The position of Assistant Teacher is primarily responsible for assisting the lead teacher with the implementation and coordination of the comprehensive education program in the classroom and for managing all aspects of outdoor activities. The Assistant Teacher assists by ensuring that the classroom activities and environment are developmentally appropriate and reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum. The Assistant Teacher ensures that the individual needs of all children regardless of race, creed, or disability are met as mandated by federal, state, and local standards. The Assistant Teacher will assist in promoting family involvement and will provide guidance and supportive supervision for other adults in the classroom including Floaters, Foster Grandparents, interns, and volunteers.

Responsibilities and Duties

· Promote engagement in positive parent/child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and community, family well-being, and families as advocates and leaders.

· Demonstrate a warm, supportive attitude toward children, families, and staff.

· Must be flexible.

· Encourage a consistent and structured classroom environment that fully engages the children and is appropriate for their learning and developmental needs.

· Assure that children achieve all learning and developmental outcomes and kindergarten readiness skills, with a focus on literacy and math domains.

· Produce positive individual and classroom outcome reports using Teaching Strategies Gold System.

· Complete ongoing observations, child development plans, and individual forms.

· Complete and submit all required records, reports, and forms accurately and on time.

· Encourage the involvement of the families of the children and support the development of relationships between children and their families.

· Implement a range of activities to enhance the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical potential of each child in compliance with approved Research Based Early Childhood curriculum guidelines.

· Prepare children for kindergarten transition and readiness.

· Implement activities for children with disabilities in accordance with their Individualized Educational Plans.

· Visit each child’s home at least twice a year, attend two parent conferences, and attend additional visits and conferences as needed.

· Assist in providing training to Foster Grandparents, interns, and classroom volunteers.

· Ensure safe and healthy environments that follow the Head Start Performance Standards and the DCFS Licensing Standards.

· Ensure a safe environment through daily classroom inspections of materials and equipment. Report unsafe/unhealthy conditions to appropriate persons.

· Always use Active Supervision techniques.

· Eat with the children and provide appropriate discussions for mealtimes.

· Provide active and quiet areas in the classroom.

· Provide an individual labeled space for each child.

· Arrange physical space into defined learning centers with a variety of materials rotated frequently and with the children materials separated from teacher supplies.

· Rooms should be organized, materials stored neatly, and cleaned daily.

· Attend no less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year.

· Assume responsibility for generating in-kind contributions.

· Due to the nature of this program, all staff members must be willing to perform all other duties as assigned in order to maintain a quality program for all children and their families being served at Empowerment Opportunity Center.

Qualifications & Experience

Must have at a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED and obtain a CDA within 2 years from date of hire. Enrollment in a program that will lead to an associate degree in child development, early childhood, or equivalent coursework is preferred. If the degree is not in early childhood education or a related field, a minimum of 21 hours of ECE coursework is required or completion of a CDA.

Assistant Teachers must be able to lift at least 40 pounds. Assistant Teachers must be free of tuberculosis, pass physical exam and criminal background check prior to employment. The Assistant Teacher must meet DCFS Licensing Standards.

Assistant Teachers must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move items up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required for this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must have excellent communication skills including written and verbal. Must be able to manually operate and use a computer/tablet. Must be able to clearly hear and be understood in phone conversations.

Application Procedure

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and application to the Director of Early Childhood Services, via mail, email, or hand delivery. Visit www.empowerdecatur.org/hiring/ to download an application. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Job Type: Full Time (40 Hours/Week); School Year (42 weeks per year)

Salary: $16.50-$18.25

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.50 - $18.25 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Pre-Kindergarten

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
• Early childhood education: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person